Table of Contents
Stay focused on your vision.
Do your best to develop your talent and skills as a photographer, but don’t be tempted to spend all your energy chasing new clients. Set your boundaries. If you are too busy, you won’t be able to produce good work. If you focus solely on trying to land work, you won’t have much time to work on improving your photography and it will show in your work.
Be prepared.
Get into the habit of setting aside a certain amount of time each day to work on your photography. It can be helpful to plan your day, perhaps using a calendar. For instance, you could block off an hour each morning, a half-hour each afternoon and evenings for working on your photography.
Choose your subjects carefully.
Don’t shoot just whatever happens to catch your eye. Choose a theme or a story to capture. Make sure the photos relate to each other. For instance, a series of portraits of people with a theme might include a close-up portrait of one person with an interesting story, then a group portrait of the others, and a panoramic portrait of all together.
Keep your equipment simple.
If you need to, make some sacrifices. Don’t buy fancy equipment. Aim to spend your budget on the best lens you can afford, a good tripod and camera body, and a decent memory card. Don’t spend a fortune on computer software either. Keep your computer running on basic programs. Learn Photoshop, and maybe Elements if you are a beginner. You can always buy more software later.
Start small.
Don’t try to be a pro overnight. It’s important to start slowly and build up gradually. Focus on learning the basics. Get to know your camera and your subject, learn how to use the settings, adjust your lighting and framing, practice shooting at different times of day and in different weather conditions. You may want to buy a manual and study it.
Take advantage of online forums.
Ask for advice on forums and sites where photographers share their work. There are plenty of websites where you can look at other photographers’ work. Many offer online tutorials too. Try to work out what you like and don’t like about other photographers’ images and the reasons behind it. Look for tips and techniques that work for other photographers.
Get inspired by artists and photographers.
Pay attention to how other artists and photographers use light, color and composition. Notice details in their work, then try to apply these techniques to your own images. It’s easy to learn from a well-known artist’s work, but less easy to create your own style. Take time to experiment with different lighting, poses, and techniques.
Learn your limitations.
Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’. You don’t have to take on any jobs you are not confident you can do. Work out your priorities and decide what you will and won’t do. Don’t forget to put in some relaxation time.
Take control of your life.
If you are finding it hard to balance your photography with work and family commitments, do make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Take control of your life. Create a photo calendar of the things you would like to accomplish. Set deadlines for yourself and stick to them.
Don’t worry if your work doesn’t improve.
Even if you don’t progress, your portfolio will still grow. Even if you’re not selling as much as you would like, your images will improve with experience. If you are getting too tired, stressed, and confused, try to keep calm and think about the situation objectively.
Other tips to find your vision as a photographer
We asked some photographers what they would advise to someone wanting to find their ‘vision’ as a photographer.
“In general, what I tell people is to start with something small, something that they’re interested in photographing. Whether it’s a pet, a flower, or a kid, they can start somewhere, anywhere really. It’s just important that they do it. And then to keep doing it until they see their dream. I’ve been told that I’m my worst critic, but I’m also one of the most positive people I know. So if you have something to say that you love about yourself and you’re passionate about, you’re going to want to keep pushing forward with it. And it takes a while. I’ve been photographing for 30 years and I still am not where I want to be in the world. But if you’re passionate and you enjoy what you do and you want to continue, it’s never too late to try new things.” – Lisa
“My advice is to start small. Pick a subject that interests you and build on that. It doesn’t have to be anything too huge. When you’re starting out, it’s important to build a portfolio of work. It’s also important to take pictures that mean something to you, even if they aren’t perfect. It’s how you frame a shot that can make a picture. It’s important to focus on learning and developing your skills and not worrying about how others perceive you or what others think about your work. Also, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. There’s always room to grow.” – Beth
“I think it’s important to figure out what you like to photograph. If you’ve always been interested in nature, then maybe start by photographing the local park or something in your neighborhood. If you’ve always liked portraits, then maybe shoot some family photos and then move on to the more adventurous shoots. Photography is a skill that can take time to learn. It is a tool to help you express yourself creatively, but it’s not something that you can just pick up and do at any point in your life. If you have something you really want to do, it can take a lot of practice and patience to become an expert. Keep working at it, and try not to stress about the things that you can’t control.” – Jennifer
“Photography is a hobby and a career. If you like photography, and think you have something to offer, you will learn. I started out taking wedding photographs for fun. After ten years of weddings, I felt like I had enough weddings under my belt, so I decided to branch out. I began to specialize in food photography. As I progressed, my portfolio grew and I found clients who needed my skills. Eventually, I became a lifestyle and portrait photographer. The best part of my job is meeting people. Some of my clients have become friends. I love to hear stories about their lives and what they like to do. It gives me the chance to create beautiful portraits that remind them of special times in their lives.” – Julie.
“Don’t wait to find your vision. Go out and take as many pictures as you possibly can. Start with the things that you enjoy and you’ll end up with a nice portfolio. It’s important to develop a style of your own and not try to be someone else. If you’re always trying to be the next big thing, you won’t last. Take chances and trust your gut. If it feels right, it is.” – Kelly
“If you are unsure about where to begin, start with what you like. This will become your vision. I am a professional portrait photographer. When I first started out, I didn’t know anything about the industry. My husband had no interest in the business. I would bring home my pictures and he would ask me if the lighting was good. He said, ‘You know nothing about this.’ So, I took the initiative and bought some books, went to the library, and worked through them. I found a few photographers that were similar to me and their work inspired me. I learned the lighting, color, and composition. I started shooting at a local school. I got to know the students, and it helped to get to know my subjects. This way, I could work on my communication skills and the atmosphere. It was important to build a relationship with the kids and parents. I found that I didn’t mind showing people my work. They trusted me because I treated them like friends. I started to take the pictures that I wanted. That’s when I discovered that I really liked photographing weddings. I continued to learn and build my portfolio. I went back to school and received my degree. I love what I do and it has made a difference in my life.” – Linda
“First of all, take a course. It will help you hone your skills. Then, look for a mentor. Find someone you can go to when you are stuck. If you need to make changes, you will need feedback from someone you respect. Find a place to exhibit your work. It will help to get feedback from other photographers. And finally, get into magazines. It is an excellent way to get exposure. Find a niche that is close to your heart. As you develop your skills, you will find your niche. You will also get to know yourself and what you enjoy doing.” – Betty.