Advice please

[mickyjordan11]

HI all

Im new to the forum and just would like some advice if possible.

Im interested in becoming a photographer but I have no experiece and know nothing about the field. Im 28 and just wondering how I can get into this career. What are the best steps to take, contacts etc.

Also please can you advise me if this is a profitable career move and is there a lot of work out there for photographers.

Sorry if these questions sound a bit silly, Im just trying to find a new direction in my life.

Thanks in advance for your replies and help.

[Lilypop]

I think a good place to start is to post some pics here and get a folio going.
Posting pics here will get you some good feedback at least.

There is a lot of competition in professional photography and I have dreamt about going pro for years now but I simply don't think I'm good enough. I don't want to put you off though because if you want it enough you can get it.

Being an amateur, the only advice I can really give you is to start making photos and get feedback so you can learn and improve.

[jameshudson45]

This is one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions I'm afraid.

There are many ways to establish yourself as a photographer, and everyone does it slightly differently. But without a doubt one of the best ways into photography as a career is the old fashioned way - by working as an assistant (which is what much of this site is about - have you read the articles?). Studying photography at a college or somewhere certainly helps too, but isn't crucial. Some of the very best photographers are self taught, or have learned while working with someone else.

Photography is hugely competitive, and becoming increasingly more so. Without a doubt, the rewards are there for you to reap them, but you need to make sure you can keep your head above water. You'll know I keep banging on about this if you've read many of the other posts or articles, but I can't emphasise enough how important it is to have good business and marketing nous. In my view, if you want to have a successful photography career (rather than necessarily creating photos that will go down in history), you'd be better off studying something like business first, or at least getting some real life experience of working in a business environment before you launch yourself into the photography world.... And while you're starting out it certainly doesn't harm to have a sideline in something else to keep the cash coming in as it can be a slow old business building up your client base.

Having said that, photography is the best job in the world, so if you think you have even a chance of making it, you should give it a try or you might spend the rest of you're life wondering what you'd missed out on.

Hope this helps

[EvrEst]

I agree with james 100%. 28 is still plenty young to get into the field but you have to make it your life. force yourself to take pics all the time get up early and shoot. study and read as many books on composition and exposure as you can and study studio work and photoshop so you can create what you see in your head. I would start there with self discovery and if you see yourself really picking it up then depending on where you live there are some great schools out there or the assistant route is great.

Good luck and start posting as fast as you can and you will see the difference!