082 - Signs You're Ready to Become a Professional Photographer
This week's episode will be a big one for many of you out there. I'll be talking about some of the signs you'll have to let you know that you're ready to go pro. Going pro means a lot of different things to a lot of people, but for me, it doesn't necessarily mean quitting your 9 to 5 and going full-time. It can mean selling prints part-time, taking on client gigs on weekends, or going full bore into this. Wherever you're at, the things I'll be talking about today will give you an idea of if you are ready to start taking on those paying gigs.
Alright, let's get into this.
You Consistently Create Great Photos
Everyone can get lucky and create the odd fabulous photo when the situation is perfect. The light is ideal. Everything lines up to make a great photo happen. Someone who's ready to take on paying gigs from clients doesn't have to rely on everything lining up perfectly to create great shots. You'll know you're ready to go pro when you can consistently walk out the door and make something beautiful. It may not be every single time, but it's very close to. As someone who hires photographers, I want to know that you will deliver regardless of what happens when I hire you for a gig. And this is even more important in the adventure, travel, and outdoor space where weather is unpredictable, things change rapidly, and stuff will just get thrown at you. Controlling the situation in a studio is one thing; controlling it in the field when the rain is coming down or the wind is whipping your model's hair around is totally different. So, if you can head out the door and consistently come home with great shots, that's a sign that you are ready to go professional as a photographer.
Your Photography has a Consistent Style
Companies and the general public tend to hire a photographer for their style. When I'm looking at a portfolio, I know I don't want someone whose look is all over the map. I want someone who has a consistent tone and feel for what they create. This tells me that they are consistent with what they shoot and know who they are as a creative.
What your style is doesn't really matter. You could be light and airy, dark and moody, in your face, really pulled back. But you must have a style. Especially if you are going to try and get brand photoshoots. When I look for a photographer, I know what I need shot, and I find someone who matches that style. So think about what type of photographer you are, and show that off in your portfolio. Are you someone who can get right into the action, someone who can show the adventure from the inside out with lots of close-ups of people and quiet moments? Or are you the person who steps back and shows the monumental scenery alongside the adventure, where people are only 10 or 20% of your frame and the rest is filled with mountains, trees, or oceans? Having a definitive look and feel to your imagery is an excellent sign that you are ready to be a professional photographer.
You Know and Understand the Strengths and Weaknesses of Yourself and your Gear
You can shoot pro images on pretty much any piece of equipment today. Really, parts of Hollywood movies are being made on iPhones, billboards have been shot on flagship phones, you really can go pro with almost any gear. But to get that style of shot, you need to understand what that camera does and doesn't do well.
I know, if I'm heading out to shoot high-action sports, I'm reaching for my 7DMark II (because that's what I have at home) and not my Canon R. The buffer is bigger in the 7D; it has much higher frames per second, and a better autofocus system. But, if I'm headed out shooting landscapes or night work, I'm reaching for the R. You should know exactly what your gear does and doesn't do well so that you can either compensate for it or understand that you'll need to rent equipment before taking on a gig.
Similarly, you need to know the same things about yourself. You need to know your own strengths and weaknesses. Knowing this will help you understand if you should or shouldn't take on certain gigs. Like, I have a fear of heights, and it becomes especially problematic while standing on knife-edge ridges where you've got big drops on either side of you and very little room to move. If I knew there was a shoot that had to take place in this environment, I wouldn't be able to do it. I'd be totally focused on not falling. So, I wouldn't take on that gig. And you need to learn this about yourself to help understand if you should take on a shoot at all or what support you will need during the shoot to make sure it happens flawlessly. For example, I get so focused on composition, lighting, backgrounds, hand positioning, etc. That I need someone on hand to watch for the little details like a shirt untucked slightly, or maybe a shoelace is untied. I can sometimes catch those, but having a second set of eyes looking for all those little details helps me focus on the big things. So, find these things out for yourself. And, once you do, you'll be able to apply it in idea 4.
You have a Learning and Development Plan
Learning and development are critical to growing your business, your art, and yourself. I don't know any highly successful pros that don't have a learning and development plan. So pick something to focus on and learn about it. Focus on one of your weaknesses, or maybe something that you know needs to improve before you can run a business. And this doesn't have to be photography-focused. In fact, if you're going pro, I'd say your L&D plan should probably focus on running a business, marketing, social media, etc. Because that's where I find a lot of photographers are failing. They keep trying to make their work better but don't focus on how they plan to make their business better. And growing your business acumen will likely have a more significant impact than learning some new photographic technique.
You are Prepared to do More than just take Photos
Running a photography business is about way more than taking and editing photos. In fact, I'd say only 20 to 25% of your time is spent with a camera in hand or in lightroom. The rest of the time is talking to clients, delivering images, picking up prints, making pitches, posting on social, building ads, writing copy, and responding to inquiries. Plus so much more. You can see how your time gets absorbed by many different things. Now, if this sounds like a nightmare and all you want to do is take photos. Then going pro is not for you. There is way more to this than you could ever expect. But, if the idea of running a business doesn't sound daunting and your prepared for that work, then you are ready to be a pro. One of the things I'd suggest you do if you don't know yet is to try taking on three or four small-scale paying gigs. Something that has stakes to it but won't ruin you if it goes badly. And see what you think of the experience of working with clients, delivering images, responding to inquiries, etc. And this will give you a good idea of if you are ready to try doing this full time and professionally.
You are Prepared to Hear no and to Deal with Negativity
There are trolls everywhere, and you will run into them if you put your name out there. You're going to just need to keep pushing past them and doing your work and creating your art. These aren't the people you need to be worried about, but you will encounter them. Beyond trolls, though, you'll need to be ready to hear no. People won't hire you for shoots you've spent long preparing pitches for. You'll be told no by clients who hire another photographer. People will say to you your images don't look good or aren't the right thing for them. Just all sorts of negativity can happen when you're running a photography business. And you'll need to be ready for it and not let the no through you off course. You need to take what you can from it, take what you need, and grow.
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