Who is Professional?

[Valadilene]

Im curious to know how many of you are in the professional field? By that I mean, are you a photographer by trade, making at least half to all your income off of your photography services.

If so, in what sub field?

and the most important question.. how did you transition into the professional field? Im a student, I want to be a professional, but I do not know how to land a job in the area (nor do i know what area i want to be in, which is one of my problems). Are you freelance? If so, how did you market yourself as a 'baby' professional? Do you work for a company/studio? if so, how did you land the job?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[samsite999]

i wouldn't want to take it up full time. if you make something important and your future depend on it it makes it much more stressfully
its a hobby for me and its going to stay like that as i use it as a tool to relax

[Grimster]

I never personally went to school for my art, I am a professional, and have been since I was 16.. Ive owned my own company called C&R photography a Texas based company. I just kind of fell into it, Never went to school and I don't develop my own film. I used a few companies for that, I work mostly with nudes, weddings, family, pretty much whatever the customer is wanting. But since I left texas, Ive been mainly taking photos for myself. havent really worked in it to much. Don't feel the want to do it much anymore.

[JonS]

90% of my bills are paid with my cameras. The other 10% is from managing/marketing/administrating a few models' paysites.

I got started by shooting sports in my early teens, mostly motocross at my neighbors racetrack. He is a custom parts builder, and needed images for his first catalog. He had several of my shots of his racers on his shop wall, so I was his natural choice to shoot his catalog. He paid me enough that I could afford to buy my own camera, and stop borrowing my dad's.

I kept shooting his catalogs and racers, and word of mouth got around, and I started making pretty good money on the side with it. After I got out of high school, I just kept on with it, landing more and more catalog jobs by word of mouth and feature jobs for different sports magazines, first local, then regional, then some national publications started picking me up for all kinds of things. My career pinnacle (I imagine) will come in 2010 when I shoot the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC for ESPN.

So really, I'm doing what I've always done.

[daedicurus]

i am just a beginning hobbiest but i hope soon to start exhibiting some pictures with some friends and if we sell any that would be great but i dont think i'll be living off it anytime soon. having said that i have just been approached by a local band to do some photography for them which could lead me in a different direction.

[cleonor]

I just withdrew from my current school where photography was my major, because I felt like I was almost forcing myself to do something I really do love. I want to work as a photographer, but I what to do it only on my own terms, and stick with the types of photography I like (I dislike doing studio work, so yeah... a bit of hindrance.. ). I love doing editorial work, that sort of thing, so I want more education about particular places and social issues to back that up...

So yes... I can't really recommend how to start off in the professional field because most of the young photographers I know hold two jobs and things like that...

[MacStian]

Professional - just to get this thread up again ;)

We do commercial photography B2B. Advertising, illustrations and products.
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