So, you’ve decided that you don’t want to do boring office work and you want to start your own way in the photography industry. Many people think that all they have to do is buy a good camera and voila, they’re done. Of course, this is far from the case. Today’s guide is prepared especially for those who have decided to start a photography career. On Skylum’s blog, you have the opportunity to read a lot of useful tips, and in particular, how to cut out an image in Photoshop.
The First Steps
Here are a few things a beginner should definitely do:
- Find a mentor. This is the person who can show you in practice what you will never read in books. With his help, you will learn how to take photos correctly, as well as find out a lot of nuances about the equipment. In addition, many experienced photographers could use some help, especially when they are shooting large-scale Event Photography like weddings or anniversaries. In this case, you will have a chance to look at the work from the inside. Experienced tutors can also teach you how to work properly with photo editors, how to cut out a picture in Photoshop, change the brightness, and more.
- Get an education. If you can’t find a mentor, that’s okay. You can always enroll in courses where you’ll learn the basics along with the same beginners. It’s easy to choose one depending on your preferences. Search the Internet for what you are interested in, and start classes!
- Join the community of photographers. It’s in these groups that you can find out what trends are popular right now. After all, you don’t just want to take pictures for your soul, you want to make money from them as well. There you can also learn a lot about what equipment to choose and how to use photo editors professionally (how to cut out objects in Photoshop, how to change the picture size, and brightness, how to apply filters, etc).
Of course, we believe that there is little that can replace an experienced mentor, but if you’re lucky, you can find great courses where you will be taught the basics of photography by real professionals. If you join a hobby group, you can not only gain valuable experience, but you can also make real friends who will be with you for life!
So what’s next?
If you have a job that brings in a steady income, it’s time to think: Can you make enough money from photography to support yourself? This also includes calculating the cost of the gear you’ll need.
Of course, you shouldn’t buy a professional camera and tripod with all the money you have. You might want to take your time and save a little. As you know, fame does not come at once, so think about whether you are ready to radically change your life.
The next thing you should definitely decide on is the niche in which you will work. Statistically, photographers who work in family and wedding photography make the most money. That’s no surprise, as these are the events that most people want to capture. If you like these niches – you can safely move on to the next step.
However, if you want to work in a different niche, there may be difficulties. Remember that even if you like taking pictures of pets and food, a good camera is not enough. You will have to learn a lot of nuances before you become a professional.
Another option is interesting and unusual niches. They may not be as in demand as the previous ones, but the pay will be decent.
Start your perfect career
The next step is to work on the portfolio. If you’re not sure if your photos are really incredible, show them to the professionals. You might get negative feedback, but that shouldn’t stop you from achieving your dream. Moreover, any feedback should motivate you to move forward.
After your work has been approved by professionals, consider building your own website. Do you have the ability to go to a professional? Great, then trust him or her with everything! If your finances don’t allow it, make the site yourself using online tools.
Last but not least is your prices. Look at the portfolios of newbies like you, compare niches, and deduce your ideal formula. Remember, it’s not that simple: you can’t offend yourself, so be sure to include the cost of the services you additionally provide. These can include:
- Experience and course bonuses;
- Use of author’s props;
- Working in a challenging niche;
- Help with look choices, etc.
Remember that advertising is your best friend. Think about what tools you can use to gain popularity. This could be through social media posts or word of mouth – when your friends promote you to everyone they know.
Conclusion
Don’t forget that one of your best friends on the way to professional photography will be a photo editor. If you want to learn how to cut out objects in Photoshop, or learn how to do other amazing effects, open Skylum’s blog and enjoy. Don’t be afraid to take your first steps, and know that you will definitely succeed!
