5 Tips for Starting Photography
If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering “how do I get into a photography?” Whether you want to get into photography as a hobby or as a money-maker, here are some tips based on my experience that I recommend to start your journey.
1. Check your motives
Ask yourself,
“what do I want to do with photography? Is this for me? Is this for others? Perhaps, both?”
Checking your motivations behind why you want to start photography is so important, especially before you start investing in a camera. Your reason behind wanting to capture photographs will help determine which path is best for you.
2. Invest
Camera gear is not cheap. Period.
However, checking your motives can help you decide if the investment is worth what you’re hoping to get out of photography. If you are hoping to start photography as a hobby itself, then maybe you can invest in a camera that is more for beginners/user-friendly. I started with the CanonT7i—and this was a great starter camera for me to learn about the manual settings of a camera. If you’re looking to hop right into the photography industry, I HIGHLY recommend looking for a full frame, preferably mirrorless camera. Yes, they’re expensive. However, if you’re looking to make some extra cash doing photography, investing in a professional camera is key for driving success.
3. Practice
This may seem like a no-brainer, however practice in this case really does make perfect!
A lot of photographers have a hard time starting to make business because nobody wants to book them. This was the case for me in high school, and so to break through that I offered photoshoots for my friends, family, and even did some senior portrait sessions for those in my hometown at no cost. These were perfect opportunities for me to practice my skills in a more professional setting, while not having the pressure of having to deliver amazing images (since ultimately, I was doing this all for free). This also helped me to build a portfolio that I could showcase on my website. The more experience you have, the easier it is to book clients.
4. Get on social media
I started a photography page on Instagram when I was in 10th grade.
I shared random photographs of everything I took – even though I didn’t have many followers. After a few years of doing this, I had a solid feed built that showed people that I’ve been doing this for a while. I followed accounts that were related to photography and anyone I knew from around the community. Eventually, this helped me to reach people that had no idea I even did photography. Fast forward to today, I have 1,400+ followers and nearly all my inquires come directly from my Instagram or Facebook pages. If you just want photography to be a hobby, it’s still a great idea to showcase it on social media! Social media these days has such a negative connotation, so why not share something you love and make it fun? :)
5. Network
I can not emphasize enough how important this is.
I would not be where I am today without learning and seeking advice from other photographers out there. Facebook is a great way to network with there being thousands of pages to join. One of my favorites is “Cassidy Lynne Education,” which is a page owned by a well-known photographer. Photographers from around the world use this page to ask questions, showcase their work, and make connections. I met one of my favorite photographers, Laura Banken, through a Facebook page and now I get to second shoot for her at weddings every once and awhile. How cool is that?
Whether you are brand new to photography or even have years of experience, please know that everyone’s journey is different. These 5 tips are things that have been important to me over the last 5 years, however they may not work for everyone. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message and I would be more than happy to chat more. :)
With love,
Carly
Comments