Where to begin?

[tirediron]

Could someone please a'splain to me howcomeforwhy "really loving" taking pictures is the only requirement for becoming a professional photographer????? WHY do people seem to feel that unlike every other professional undertaking, photography has nothing to learn, no skills to understand, and no baseline knowledge to master?

 

[Judobreaker]

Move over Judobreaker.

Room for a third?

Of course there's room, but it'd be good if you could get some extra popcorn.
We're going to need a lot more by the looks of it. xD

 

[tirediron]

Okay... now that I have that out of my system, here's the answer to your question: Start reading. You need to read a lot. You need to read books on all aspects of photography including exposure, metering, lighting, compositional theory and much, much more. You need to acquire a decent basic kit consisting of two full-frame bodies, and pro lenses from ~15mm - 200mm, at least two speedlights, a three-light studio kit, triggers, etc. That will run you ~$10,000 (assuming you buy most of it used). Next, you need to spend your evenings at the local community college where you study marketing, business law, accounting, contract law, IP law and all the rest of business knowledge you need to run ANY businness. You need a GOOD computer and software; that will take about a $5000 bite out of the budget, and... you need to get your licensing and insurance paid. That, and the other professional fees required will add about another $2000 to your start-up.

Of course, while you're doing all of that, you're shooting 4-6 hours a day. In the other 4 or so hours, you're hauling your resume around to every pro in your area HOPING to be taken on as an intern, where, IF you're REALLY, REALLY lucky you might even get paid. After you've spent a year or two fetching coffee and moving lightstands, you might, just might be allowed to pick up a camera...

Good luck!

 

[Tuffythepug]

I like to play catch with my grandson. I think I'll be professional baseball player. Any advice on what kind of bat and glove I should buy ????

 

[swiftparkour94]

And voilà Instant photog!

For starting out on a budget, absolutely. There are professional wedding photographers that shoot with the T2i

 

[KmH]

The vast majority of retail photographers today have a part-time business that is supported by other income. That other income is from a spouse, or a 'day' job.

The vast majority of retail photographers in America today do not make income from their photography that is above the poverty line.
Many retail photographers don't make any money at all, and instead subsidize client shoots out of their own pocket.
Sadly, most don't even realize they are subsidizing their clients, because they don't know how to track expenses against income which is basic accounting.

If a retail photographer wants to have a yearly income of $30,000, and that income represents just 20% of the yearly revenue for the business, the business has to have a yearly revenue of $150,000. ($30,000 / 20% = $150,000)
$150,000 divided by 12 months = $12,500 a month in revenue, which would give the business owner a monthly income of $2500 a month.
$150,000 divided by 52 weeks = $2885 a week in revenue, or $577 a week in income. (Note - there is an average of 4.3 weeks per month.)

Out of that $2500 a month, subtract federal income taxes, federal social security taxes, state income taxes, health insurance, retirement fund contributions, and all other personal expenses.

About 15% of all the working photographers in the USA make income of $50,000, or more, a year.

 

[jwbryson1]

Could someone please a'splain to me howcomeforwhy "really loving" taking pictures is the only requirement for becoming a professional photographer????? WHY do people seem to feel that unlike every other professional undertaking, photography has nothing to learn, no skills to understand, and no baseline knowledge to master?

I think the answer HAS to be that everything these days is SO automated that people don't realize that it's a learned skill to take a constantly good photograph under varying, demanding conditions, and not just a matter of point and shoot. Plus, not to get too political or sound like such an "elder" because I'm not, these days it seems to me that folks (especially kids) are taught that everything is an entitlement and if they want it, then they get it and don't have to work for it. I think it's a different mindset entirely than when I was growing up in the 70's.

I'm not saying the OP is like that, but that's just my take. YMMV.

 

[amolitor]

Many retail photographers don't make any money at all, and instead subsidize client shoots out of their own pocket.
Sadly, most don't even realize they are subsidizing their clients, because they don't know how to track expenses against income which is basic accounting.

There is a difference between an "accounting subsidy" and an actual cash subsidy. It would not be at all uncommon at a certain level for a photographer (or other part-time businessperson) to not consider the pro-rata cost of car ownership, just as a for-instance. It would also not be at all uncommon for the part-time business to be then "operating at a loss" in an accounting sense, when all such costs are included.

However, things like car ownership (and, let's face it, often the photography gear itself) is in reality sunk cost. Just because standard accounting rules and the IRS allow you to consider those expenses as part of the business doesn't mean that you must consider them so.

Many businesses wind up adding a net dollar gain to the total family income.

Some of those businesses would be, if the accounting were done "correctly" operating at a loss. Some of them probably DO the accounting correctly and reap a neat little tax benefit for a while, while still adding a net gain to the family income, which is pretty slick.

Some businesses are in fact operating at a net cash loss, and that's too bad.

 

[rokvi]

Not really sure where to begin on here? I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range. I have heard the nikon d3200 is good but not really sure? I will be taking tons of pictures of little kids so I need something that takes many in a row in case they move before I can get it the first time. Also what is a good site to edit your work on?I am just starting out im kinda in a fog. What website do you all use to buy the pictures from? Thanks in advance for the help

T2i body, save for a good prime/zoom lens and a good flash. All I gotta say

And voilà Instant photog!

For starting out on a budget, absolutely. There are professional wedding photographers that shoot with the T2i

That was all you had to say? What about learning "how" first. Anyone can buy a reasonable camera. But what about the skill set that one needs in order to capture saleable images?
What about learning marketing strategies to keep ones business alive? And for that matter. What about learning how to run a business, or even start one up?
Its a different story if the OP just wants a better camera to take snaps of their family and friends. But "To make it into my job", requires a lot more than a T2i and "A good prime/zoom lens and a good flash"!




Learn how and why before you learn what and when so you can capture who at where.

 

[MLeeK]

Many retail photographers don't make any money at all, and instead subsidize client shoots out of their own pocket.
Sadly, most don't even realize they are subsidizing their clients, because they don't know how to track expenses against income which is basic accounting.

There is a difference between an "accounting subsidy" and an actual cash subsidy. It would not be at all uncommon at a certain level for a photographer (or other part-time businessperson) to not consider the pro-rata cost of car ownership, just as a for-instance. It would also not be at all uncommon for the part-time business to be then "operating at a loss" in an accounting sense, when all such costs are included.

However, things like car ownership (and, let's face it, often the photography gear itself) is in reality sunk cost. Just because standard accounting rules and the IRS allow you to consider those expenses as part of the business doesn't mean that you must consider them so.

Many businesses wind up adding a net dollar gain to the total family income.

Some of those businesses would be, if the accounting were done "correctly" operating at a loss. Some of them probably DO the accounting correctly and reap a neat little tax benefit for a while, while still adding a net gain to the family income, which is pretty slick.

Some businesses are in fact operating at a net cash loss, and that's too bad.

When it's time for a new camera and they haven't made enough money to cover the investment that they put into the first one it's sure gonna hurt.

 

[Derrel]

Could someone please a'splain to me howcomeforwhy "really loving" taking pictures is the only requirement for becoming a professional photographer????? WHY do people seem to feel that unlike every other professional undertaking, photography has nothing to learn, no skills to understand, and no baseline knowledge to master?

Dude--it's SIMPLE...the blame goes wayyyyyyyyyyy back. George Eastman's famous "Kodak" rollfilm box camera, loaded with a 100-shot roll of film. The slogan was, "You press the button, we do the rest."

Fast forward a little bit under 100 years to Canon 's AE-1 television advertisement blitzkreig across the entire world. "The Canon AE-1--so advanced it's simple." Even an uninitiated tennis professional, like little Tracy Austin, could "Shoot like a pro!" with her Canon AE-1 and its autowinder!

So,see it's the camera makers's fault!!!

 

[swiftparkour94]

Dude--it's SIMPLE...the blame goes wayyyyyyyyyyy back. George Eastman's famous "Kodak" rollfilm box camera, loaded with a 100-shot roll of film. The slogan was, "You press the button, we do the rest."

Fast forward a little bit under 100 years to Canon 's AE-1 television advertisement blitzkreig across the entire world. "The Canon AE-1--so advanced it's simple." Even an uninitiated tennis professional, like little Tracy Austin, could "Shoot like a pro!" with her Canon AE-1 and its autowinder!

So,see it's the camera makers's fault!!!

Awesome info

 

[swiftparkour94]

That was all you had to say? What about learning "how" first. Anyone can buy a reasonable camera. But what about the skill set that one needs in order to capture saleable images?
What about learning marketing strategies to keep ones business alive? And for that matter. What about learning how to run a business, or even start one up?
Its a different story if the OP just wants a better camera to take snaps of their family and friends. But "To make it into my job", requires a lot more than a T2i and "A good prime/zoom lens and a good flash"!

Learn how and why before you learn what and when so you can capture who at where.

People have jobs equipped with the T2i and multiple accessories/lenses like this one photographer I saw on YouTube that had his own business and lived on his own. I've went up to employers of a school photography company. They knew absolutely NOTHING about the camera other than where to put the lighting, how to set the camera up, focus it, and press the shutter button and that's it! They were outdated cameras too. Professionals hired inexperienced noobs. I have friends that shoot with T2i's and have businesses of their own. It doesn't come down to what camera you have, it's the eyes of the photographer. Hell, I'm almost positive there are still professional film photographers and some lady I heard that is very famous for only shooting with a Polaroid land camera for her business. There are too many old guys with money that think that it comes down to the professional gear. Well, they are all wrong!

 

[rokvi]

Move over Judobreaker.

Room for a third?

Of course there's room, but it'd be good if you could get some extra popcorn.
We're going to need a lot more by the looks of it. xD

Especially when MLeek wont bring her own!

Gimme some of that damn pop corn!

 

[swiftparkour94]

That was all you had to say? What about learning "how" first. Anyone can buy a reasonable camera. But what about the skill set that one needs in order to capture saleable images?
What about learning marketing strategies to keep ones business alive? And for that matter. What about learning how to run a business, or even start one up?
Its a different story if the OP just wants a better camera to take snaps of their family and friends. But "To make it into my job", requires a lot more than a T2i and "A good prime/zoom lens and a good flash"!

Learn how and why before you learn what and when so you can capture who at where.

Oh and about learning photography, I agree with you on building your way up. I went from pin hole, film, compact digital, DSLR, then instamatic for fun. You can't say that it's not possible to learn by jumping straight to DSLR's though it wouldn't really be smart to