I have a lot of books in my library that are classic photographic career guides. The majority of these publications cover a wide range of subjects, including portraiture, medical photography, photojournalism, and industrial and commercial photography. They analyze the needs, work opportunities, and financial prospects for each.
This book does not take that approach. I don't view the world as being so divided. I am convinced that photography is a passion, and throughout the course of a photographer's career, professional and personal interests will converge. If you want to be a doctor, you have to pick a specialty, such as cardiology, nephrology, or psychiatry. Expertise requires many years of training. You would certainly continue to practice that specialty for the rest of your life. Likewise, if you want to make a lot of money, you should probably go to business school or law school, but not both. Following that instruction, you would pursue a job "in business" or "in law."
There are different types of photography, thus different types of careers, right?
That, to me, is not what a lifetime in photography entails. Sure, it can be a method to make money, but there's also a lot of fun and adventure to be had, chances to express yourself and your unique point of view, and the ability to adjust what you do as you go. Why spend your entire life doing the same thing? That's good if you want to do it, but even if you train to be, say, a medical photographer and work in healthcare for the rest of your career, that doesn't mean you can't engage in other photographic efforts at night, on weekends, and on vacation.
That's the beauty of photography: the career goals are nebulous, and training in photographic technique and technology isn't required in most industries. You can work as a medical photographer during the week and then switch to fine art or animal photography on the weekends. It's impossible to be a lawyer on weekdays and a brain surgeon on weekends. Many fields' standards and boundaries are set in stone.
This book will explore various types of photography jobs and the abilities and temperament required for each, but there will be no feeling of either/or. You can work as a medical photographer as well as a wedding photographer. You can work as a photojournalist as well as a child photographer. It is all up to you. And the developments brought about by the emergence of digital technology in the last decade have made the field of photography expand.
It's not always easy to figure out what areas of photography fascinate you. One issue is that the world of professional photographers is highly compartmentalized, especially as you progress further into a single subject. Most fashion professionals are aware of their predecessors and peers, as well as a large number of art directors, editors, and tastemakers in their industry. However, the fashion photographer may be unfamiliar with the present and historical work of photojournalists or portraitists. Similarly, Des Moines studio owners are unlikely to know the identities of photographers that come from LA or New York.
More communication among different types of photographers is needed. There is no better career guide than a look at the lives and works of people who have dedicated their life to the pursuit of photography. To that purpose, the first section of this book was devoted to showcasing the biographies and accomplishments of some prominent and lesser-known photographers. We will also investigate photographs' various powers. Michelangelo, most known for his abilities as a sculptor and painter, also composed poetry. One of his sonnets ponders the possibilities of a chunk of marble. He explores every sculpture within that block; the sculptor only needs to remove the marble bits that aren't part of the artwork! Photography is analogous to that block of marble. It has everything you could ever want. It's sometimes better to decide what you don't want and then work your way toward the areas that are left.
We're all prone to unpleasant emotions, but until those emotions are explored and either eliminated or replaced, the good stuff is difficult to reach in a consistent manner. And those hopeless gremlins have a habit of reappearing for all of us. That is critical to remember. There may be a few enlightened souls who have finally and firmly put the bad stuff behind them. Unfortunately, they can often be compared with flies. You can't get rid of them but you can control them.
Over the course of my work, I've gradually come to realize how many individuals—not only photographers, but people of all kinds—take themselves off the field, fold their hands, and beg to be dealt out of the game. They end up bitter, perplexed, or defeated. Or, if they're lucky, merely down. And they brought it on themselves! Well, to hell with it! When dealing with customers and suppliers, many of our emotions manifest as rage. As you can see, there are some instances in which you can go forward and blow your top, and others in which you must take it easy. There are moments to speak, and other times to remain silent.
You may be tossed to the ground on occasion as you progress. Perhaps you can bring out this book and reread a few portions to help you get up, brush yourself off, get back in the game, and get even with those who tossed you.
I hope you will stay in the game until the end. I hope this book helps you absorb the bumps, analyze the self-inflicted ones so you can reduce them to a minimum, and learn how to deal with those delivered to you by others.
Now, let’s examine the different potential photography specializations:
Portrait photographers use lighting and backdrops to capture someone's character and personality. They may photograph a child on their first day of school or take photos of staff for use on a company website. Scheduling appointments, billing clients, and processing images are the other activities these people must do besides taking pictures. Portrait photographers might work on-site or in a studio setting. Furthermore, they are either self-employed or work for a company.
Commercial photography is used to promote a client's goods or services. Commercial photographers can shoot buildings, merchandise, or workers of a corporation.
Scientific photographers shoot subjects for scientific investigations, to explain technical knowledge, to retain records, or to depict something in an image that the human eye cannot see. Scientific photographers are frequently employed by research institutions or government agencies.
Photojournalists, often known as news photographers, photograph people and events for use in news media such as newspapers or magazines. Sports events, protest marches, court processes, and regional and national events may all be covered. Photojournalists use their photographs to tell a story and share breaking news with the public. They frequently work for newspapers, on either staff or as freelancers, as good storytellers.
Photographers who operate as freelancers work for themselves as opposed to for a studio, company, or publication. Depending on your availability, you can work as a freelance photographer in a range of businesses. Though freelance photographers do not have a consistent income like other photographers, this form of profession allows you to work in a variety of fields, guaranteeing you are never bored.
Photo editors supervise a group of photographers, manage their tasks, and review their photographs. They also choose and edit photographs for color correction and other uses. Furthermore, photo editors negotiate photo costs and rights and ensure that they have permission to shoot in a specific place.
Wedding photographers photograph the ceremony and reception of a wedding. Wedding photographers use event photography abilities to document different situations and groups of people. As a wedding photographer, you can't take one shot twice, in contrast to other kinds of photography. As a result, you must constantly move and think quickly about the shots happening during the reception and ceremony. In addition, you must adjust to changing weather and lighting circumstances.
This type of photographer shoots fast-paced environments and events such as a live concert or a business event. When shooting at diverse events, they often use both photojournalistic and portraiture talents. Some businesses use event images for publicity as well as marketing, while others retain them as memories.
Product photographers photograph a company's item made for sale. Though you may frequently photograph a certain product, you may also photograph models with a product. Your photographs are frequently published online or in print catalogs. Product images can also be found on a company's label or brand packaging. Product photographers frequently work in studios, where they have more control over lighting, shadows, and backgrounds. Food photography and jewelry photography are two examples of product photography.
Fine art photographers, in essence, make art without necessarily following guidelines. They try to elicit an emotional reaction and convey a message to an audience. Fine art photographers' work is frequently displayed in art fairs and galleries. These shows typically sell framed fine art photographs to their customers. While there is no specific subject in mind for this form of photography, many fine art photographers shoot nature or portraits.
Fashion photographers capture models dressed in the most recent fashions and trends. You may work for magazines or shoot photograph models on the runway with this employment. You will work in different places, especially studios and on-site. You will also assist models in finding the right shot. In a lot of cases you are going to be directing the models and make sure that the right move is featured in the given magazine.
These photographers capture structures. They can be hired by a company or work as freelancers. Architectural photographers focus on the inside and outside of every building, and they usually highlight the best features of the property. With the help of different techniques, they remove distortion and implement features that highlight the most important parts.
Travel photographers are hired to visit unusual locales and photograph what they find. This sort of photography allows you to combine several photography styles. You can, for instance, photograph people and their lives, places you visit, food you eat, or wildlife you discover. Whether you shoot a tropical resort or Antarctic icebergs, you have the ability to transport your viewers around the world without the need for baggage or a passport.
Advertising photographers capture images for use on posters, magazine ads, and other relevant signage or platforms. As an advertising photographer, you get to work with a variety of subjects and shoot it all, from fashion to products. Some commercial photographers work for themselves, while others work for advertising companies. Depending on your task, you may photograph a print advertising campaign one day and an internet advertisement the next.
Pet photographers photograph animals. When pet photographers photograph a range of animals, they may need to feed them a treat to keep them still for the proper snap. Pet photographers operate in a range of settings, including studios and parks.
Sports photographers shoot athletes during practice sessions or sporting events. They use long lenses from the sidelines to zoom in when the time comes. Sports teams often use these photos for publicity brochures, commercial purposes, or advertising. Furthermore, sports photography is used by news sources and magazines for their web and print sports news sections.
Aerial photography entails photographing landscapes from a great height in the sky. While planes and cameras have long been used for this type of photography, drones have allowed aerial photographers to catch the perfect shot without leaving the ground. A license is frequently required to operate these unmanned aerial vehicles.
Documentary photographers use photography to document historical or everyday occurrences or places. They, like photojournalists, record real-life moments and help share a message about the world.
The rights to these photographs are sold to websites or catalogs. While stock photographers can work freelance, many prefer to have agencies manage their sales. Though they don't make much money from each transaction, they hope to build a big catalog of images that they may sell frequently. They generate recurring passive revenue after selling their photographs and uploading them to a website.
Photographers working for commercial and industrial clients provide photos for publications, catalogs, and other types of media. You can capture a wide range of themes and things as a business and industrial photographer. Industrial photographers, for instance, get to shoot machines and blue-collar workers on the job.
Abstract photographers create visual images or notions that do not readily relate to the object world. To make abstract photographs, you can employ a range of photographic tools, materials, and approaches. Typically, you focus on a single portion of a natural sight, pulling your attention away from the larger environment. This highlights the scene's lines, forms, geometry, or other aspects.
Adventure photographers document their excursions and travels, which often take place in the great outdoors. Beautiful scenery and energetic individuals are frequently featured in adventure photography. As an adventure photographer, you must prepare for ever-changing shooting situations.
Food photographers employ their still-life photography abilities to create appealing food photographs. Food photography is a type of commercial photography that can be found in magazines, advertising, cookbooks, and even websites.
Unlike in fashion photography, glamor photographers do not concentrate on the model's clothing or the location of the shot. Instead, they shoot images that highlight the beauty of a person. They frequently capture shots that highlight the model's figure.
Nature photographers capture photographs of nature's beauty. While some of their photos depict enormous landscapes, others depict minute natural elements. Landscape photographers strive to capture nature's presence, yet they may also picture man-made objects or disturbances in the landscape.
Real estate photographers take photographs of real estate properties. They frequently photograph homes and offices for use in marketing or magazines. Real estate photographers capture both the exterior and interior of a property or home, showcasing numerous rooms, features, and viewpoints to the audience.
Photographers of newborns capture a family's new baby, typically when they are younger than two weeks old. They usually work in a studio environment.
Still-life photographers capture inanimate items. They basically use photography to capture the artistic aspects of real-life. Still-life photographers frequently picture everyday objects such as vases, vegetables, and bouquets.
Cityscape photographers document the physical characteristics of a city in its urban or metropolitan districts. They use a range of approaches to capture diverse viewpoints and angles when photographing both during the day and at night.
Wildlife photographers capture images of various creatures in their natural habitats. When photographing deadly animals, first they observe the animal and then activate their stalking skills to further hide from the animal’s visible eye. These types of photographers highlight life in the wilderness.
Family photographers photograph a family in a portrait-style setting. These photographs, whether staged or manufactured, depict the relationships and dynamics of a family. Families typically want these images for their own enjoyment or to add on a greeting or Christmas card.
Concert photographers work under the umbrella of event photographers and capture photographs at live music events. You can be seen at big events or in the club downtown. Concert photographers are frequently confronted with big crowds, dim illumination, and continuously changing subjects.
Photography is a difficult endeavor. It can be a form of self-expression for a lot of people. That's because it's simple to improve, to create technically sound images, to capture a clear, well-exposed picture of something on film. But becoming truly good is difficult even for the gifted.