My grandfather was a professional photographer. He worked extremely hard fine-tuning his craft and took great care to ensure that his clients were satisfied with their images.
I remember how lovingly he spoke of his passion for photography and his decision to go pro. My grandfather was very talented and his desire to turn his passion into profit was one that didn’t come without challenges. However, he persevered and for decades he captured special moments in time that live in infamy.
So, how does one know when it’s the right time to advance from shooting as a hobby to taking pictures for profit?
If you are just starting out in the industry you might consider looking for jobs as a freelance photographer. Make sure you have decent equipment, such as a DSLR camera, tripod, various lenses, flash, and a lens cleaning kit.
In addition, you should familiarize yourself with popular photo-editing software. There are a number of excellent programs to invest in, including Photoshop. Once you obtain the basic tools, then start pounding the pavement.
Consider volunteering at your local newspaper. Take your best shot documenting sporting events or other community activities and start compiling your portfolio. In addition to creating a traditional compilation of your best shots, consider putting together an online photo portfolio and displaying it on your own website or opt to place your photo gallery on a reputable online photo gallery service such as: Portfolio.net, Photobox or Flickr.
If you’re interested in making money from your photos right away, then give stock photography a try. Many freelance photographers supplement their income by selling their images on stock photography websites. Just remember to inquire about the types of photos specific sites are looking for. In some cases, you might excel in portrait photography, but a particular stock photo site may only be interested in showcasing sports or landscape photos.
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