Since most photographers freelance or are self employed professionals, rates and incomes can vary by a lot. According to the US department of labor statistics from 2018, professional photographers tend to earn a median income of $34,000 per year or $16.35 per hour
Photographers of different experience levels and in different industries earn a variable range of income. It is very much possible to earn a good income as a photographer but you may need to do pro bono work or work for relatively low pay at the beginning of your career to build up your photography portfolio.
Photography can be an incredibly fulfilling career for individuals who are creatively or artistically inclined. While it takes some time to build your photography portfolio and reputation and start earning a good income, in the long run, photography can be a rewarding career.
While there are no particular educational qualifications that are required for a photography career, a course in the basics of photography, editing and artistic composition could be a very helpful start. It is also a good idea to find a mentor who is a professional photographer. Your mentor can show you the ropes of not just photography as an art but also how to build and grow your photography business.
From interviews with award-winning photographers to exciting photoshoots with flying liquids, our live photography shows are one of the most popular features on Visual Education.
After launching the site just a few years ago, it soon became apparent just how valuable our live photography talk shows in particular were for members. These interviews offer a unique opportunity to learn firsthand from some of the industry’s leading professionals and I’ve welcomed a number of world-renowned photographers to the studio since we launched them.
Each of these photographers have generously shared their knowledge and experience with our members, revealing everything from their techniques to hilarious tales of lions in bathrooms or celebrities slamming the door in their face. I’ve collated some of the best advice these professionals have shared for you to enjoy too.
Planning is an important part of the photographic process, whether you're shooting portraits or products, but for architectural photographer Sean Conboy, planning is particularly important. An area of photography that is particularly weather dependant, planning is vital for Sean if he is to make the most of his time shooting. The British photographer looks at every little detail, including where the sun will be at a particular time or what angle it will hit or enter a building and tries to plan ahead as much as possible.
“Be there in advance, have your shot planned, get everything set and wait for that magic moment,” he shared during his live interview.
“That right moment is going to get you your picture. It might only be 10 per cent better than someone else's picture, but it's still 10 per cent better.”
For more great tips and advice from Sean, including how to balance mixed lighting and what equipment to use, make sure to watch the full interview.
Award-winning portrait photographer Tom Oldham shared his top 5 portrait photography tips with us before joining me in the studio for his live interview, but one particular point came up again during the show. This simple piece of advice, which may seem obvious, is key to any good shoot.
This opening chapter of our “Lighting Theory and Equipment” course covers the fundaments of light, equipping you with the knowledge you need to confidently work with studio light.
In a field where building relationships (often in a very limited period of time) is so important, knowing your kit, how it works and how to get the best from it is essential. This will allow you set up quickly and help ensure the session runs smoothly, which means you’ll be free to focus on getting the best shot.
To find out more about Tom and his work, watch the full interview. He shares some great advice on how to get the best from your subjects, why putting yourself out there is so important and why personal work is valuable (all told with his special brand of humour).
Since taking her first photograph at the age of 15, Russian fashion photographer Daria Belikova has had a dark, ethereal style throughout her imagery and it is this very style that makes her work so distinguishable.
Her tutors at the London College of Fashion were convinced it was just a ‘phase’, something she would grow out of, but Daria has in fact worked hard to stay true to herself and her style, something she feels every photographer should do.
This sometimes results in some give and take when it comes to commercial work, but the young fashion photographer is not about to change her look.
Daria shares more great advice and insight into the competitive fashion industry in her live interview. You can watch the full replay here.
Commercial PhotographerIn this new magazine style chat show Karl and Ashleigh focus on the topic of developing your photography style.
From the first moment you land on Jonathan Knowles's website, it's clear that his area of expertise is advertising and product photography. This very deliberate collection of images tells you exactly what Jonathan specialises in, and, by default, the kind of work he wants to do.
For example, if you’re interested in product photography but specialise in liquids, make sure to include a variety of splash images. This allows potential clients to see your work, what you are good at as well as your style.
The award-winning photographer and creator of the famous O2 bubbles acknowledged that building up this sort of portfolio doesn't happen over night, so he advised that it was worth starting with smaller clients first, or even shooting for yourself.
To learn more about Jonathan, his work and techniques, watch the full interview. You can also visit his website to see more of his work.
Renowned for his artistic studio portraits of animals, Tim Flach’s images are immediately recognisable. His eye-catching images, whether of birds in the studio or horses in the wild, have a distinctive stylisation that encourage us to reflect on how we connect to the natural world.
For Tim, one of the main objectives in his work is to take the viewer on a journey. To do this, he uses very deliberate post production techniques to guide the viewers eye.
For Tim, one of the main objectives in his work is to take the viewer on a journey. To do this, he uses very deliberate post production techniques to guide the viewers eye.
Join world-renowned animal photographer Tim Flach and professional product photographer Karl Taylor for an exclusive four-day workshop in Guernsey.
“I borrow approaches to image management that have been around for a very long time,” he explained during his live show.
“It’s only tonal changes I’m making, but to say ‘only tonal changes’ is not giving it credit,” he said.
Tim explains more about how he guides the viewer’s eye through his images during his live talk show. He also shares stories from his travels and his advice for aspiring photographers. You can watch the full talk show here.
For more great advice from other professional photographers and to see future guests, make sure to take a look at our live shows page. From pricing your work to building contacts in a new location, these shows offer a chance to learn from professional photographers who are at the top of their game.
If you’re used to working with families and wedding events, you’ve surely come across a situation where you need to go though all the nitty gritty with your clients.
From which clothes to wear to what location is suitable for your specific need, going back and forth by email and then not remembering where to find that information can feel challenging for your clients.
Especially when many look forward for the photo shoot and want everything go as planned – and to know everything they need so they can plan ahead.
And what to add is really just dependent on you; what kind of photoshoot are you going to do with your client?
