Hey, I'm 13 years old and I have been into photography for quite some time and I have a decent camera(not a DSLR yet). I was wondering if anyone has any advice on becoming a professional photographer as a hobby and/or side career. ....
Someone has to be the curmudgeon here...
First - I support your efforts to become a better photographer. And I will support your efforts. Post the results of your efforts in this forum, ask what people think and what they would suggest to make your images better.
But "Better" is not the same as professional. As
Vudoo says below - there is a business side to being a "professional", and you can't be both a professional and a hobbiest at the same time.... though of course you be a hobbiest that does some paid gigs. But it's not the same thing.
If you want to work towards being a pro, then - Shoot Shoot Shoot - but that is not enough. Analyze, edit, critique, get critiqued every "serious" shot (OK, lets face it... at some point we all will take some mere snapshots that are just meant to be for fun and not pored over) - but serious shots need to be learned from. Whether you are 13 or 53.
Find a photographer (in person or online) whose opinion you respect and have them critique some of your shots. Don't overwhelm them, but occasionally put together 5 or 10 of your best shots and get their opinion. You don't have to necessarily agree with them, but you must
listen to what they have to say. Even include some shots that are
almost working, and get their opinion on what's missing. Sometimes decades of experience makes up for youthful enthusiasm.
Get gigs that will publish your photos.
I think you'll find most photographers are nice people, and will support someone who is seriously trying to become the best the can in this field.
This is advice on how to become a better photographer. If you truly want to become professional, then you need to learn the business aspect. Most jurisdictions offer free workshops in how to open a small business. At this point even that may not be necessary. Strictly speaking a professional is not a hobbiest. A professional makes their living (or the majority of it) at being a photographer. A hobbiest does it for the love of it. A hobbiest, by the way, can be a better shooter than the pro. It's just that they make their living doing something else. Usually a better and easier living too. We may be nice, but photographers aren't always the brightest bulbs.... [/tongue in cheek]
Learn to price your images. Not just cheap enough to sell, but at a price that allows you to continue shooting. Lots of photographers have sold their images right into near bankruptcy.
Learn about taxes. You will need to start collecting and paying. If you want help from the local photographers, don't undercut them by doing illegal things. You can be cheaper, as long as you don't have an unfair advantage.
Learn about copyright. Who owns the images, what they can do. Different jurisdictions have different laws. By default, most of what you read on the web is about US laws. Great if you are in the US, but if you aren't then make sure you are researching the laws that pertain to you.
Learn about contracts. You'll need them.
Learn what you rights are on paper, and then when it's time to cut your losses and move on.
Learn about insurance. Eventually you'll need some.
In a perfect world, you would have all the business stuff in place before you actually started charging for your services.... but that ain't gonna happen. But you need to keep working at getting it into place as you go. Accept that you will get burned occasionally because you didn't understand copyright, or contracts.... that is to be expected. You get burned, you learn, you move on. We all do. Just accept it.
There's an old saying.... "Someone buys a camera, and suddenly they're a photographer. Someone buys a flute, and suddenly... they own a flute."
Good luck. We, photographers, are nice people.... especially if you have talent and/or work hard at it. Show us what you got, and we'll help you get better.
Learn the business aspect of it if you plan to be a professional. ....
I personally have done some paid projects, but I prefer to keep it as a hobby instead of trying to make a living out of it.
So you make a living (at something else)
and get to buy new camera toys... sounds ideal to me!
