Photography Career

[blasteryui]

Hi guys, I'm 19, I love taking pictures. I want to make a career of taking pictures of woman and people, but I want to travel the world and instead of always asking actual models, I would like to take pictures of just random good looking girls in places like Brazil. Anyways I was accepted into a digital photography course here in Ontario, Canada. So my question is, if I wanted to be a photographer, how do you go about asking girls to model pictures for you or random people in general? Okay, once I have the photos, is there calender company or which way would I go to try and sell my photos. My final question is would it make sense for me to go to school and learn how to take pictures then go on with it, or use that money and learn to take pictures now and travel?

I would love to take pictures of animals, wild life, etc but not too sure how to get into a career doing that.

Thanks guys!

 

[fokker]

In my opinion spend the money learning for yourself, investing in some decent gear and going travelling. It's going to be hard to make money selling photos to calendars, etc. Unless you are friends with a publisher or something your best bet would be to make your own calendars if that's the road you want to go down.

 

[Netskimmer]

Hi guys, I'm 19, I love taking pictures. I want to make a career of taking pictures of woman and people...

Dude, women ARE people. Don't feel bad, I was almost 30 before I figured that out. As for convincing random people to model for you, I find a ski mask and a Colt .45 work well, except for the crying, it ruins their mascara. :meh:

 

[Raian-san]

Make sure you have a backup plan, just sayin'.

 

[KmH]

Do you know what a model release is?

You have to have written permission to use a person's likeness (photograph) in a commercial way.

There are stock photography agencies that let photographers upload images. Commercial users then purchase a use license form the stock agency to use the photos the stock agency has available. The photographer gets paid a portion of that use license fee.

Getty Images - Unsupported browser detected ..... Corbis Images ..... Stock Photos and Royalty Free Images : Stock Photography | Alamy

There is also microstock: Microstock Agencies – An Overview for Beginners | Yuri Arcurs

And for those here in the USA there is a nice resource containing contact info for a lot of other places that buy images: 2011 Photographer's Market

 

[Robin Usagani]

Can ONE not get accepted by a photography school? I was just wondering.

 

[shortpants]

I think so, the one I went to didn't automatically accept on a first come first serve basis. Mostly just because of lack of space compared to the number of applicants I'm sure, but you had to have some experience and a portfolio. Didn't need to be perfect, but show potential.

ETA: I'm not sure I advocate photography school. I learned a lot, but I put myself in the hole. Then again, most of that was spent on film and paper, so I imagine it's less expensive now with digital.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Can ONE not get accepted by a photography school? I was just wondering.

Hmmmm .....I start at an FL University 8/15, and I'm not doing this to replace my career. Although I plan to attend the "business courses" as part of the program. If they'll take me they'll take anyone

 

[TheBiles]

Just remember that they aren't called starving artists for no reason.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Just remember that they aren't called starving artists for no reason.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G

+1

But this quest for great pics as a "hobby" has addicted me, I'm going back to a university at my elderly age heh!

 

[enzodm]

how do you go about asking girls to model pictures for you

there are girls willing to make a career being taken in pictures: you have just to pay them .

 

[2WheelPhoto]

how do you go about asking girls to model pictures for you

there are girls willing to make a career being taken in pictures: you have just to pay them .

 

[mishele]

I gotta tell ya you sounded a little creepy w/ your..... I want to take pictures of random hot women in Brazil! Then again you are a 19 yr. old ......lol Reel in those hormones a little and learn the basics first!! Then worry about your hot chickies for the calendars!!

 

[SNL]

Hi guys, I'm 19, I love taking pictures. I want to make a career of taking pictures of woman and people...

Dude, women ARE people. Don't feel bad, I was almost 30 before I figured that out. As for convincing random people to model for you, I find a ski mask and a Colt .45 work well, except for the crying, it ruins their mascara. :meh:

LOL that's the funniest thing I have heard all week.

 

[adversus]

Your areas of things to consider needs to be expanded by quite a lot if you want to pursue this as a career and work for yourself (which is what it sounds like you want):

-Do you have a firm understanding of marketing and sales?
-Do you have a firm understanding of business law, especially as it relates to contracts, liability, insurance?
-Do you have a firm understanding of the tax requirements for working for yourself/owning your own business?
-Do you have a firm understanding of basic financial and account principles for managing your business assets (income and debt)?

Or:

-Do you only know how to take pretty pictures?