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How do I start a career in Photography?

I am 17 years old, I don't have a professional camera, so I really only have the one on my phone, but I am very good at taking pictures! #photography

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Sahar’s Answer

It’s ok if you don’t have a camera! Keep learning techniques and work on your photography skills, such as lighting, composition, color combination and etc. I really recommend you to work for studios such as JCP portrait or Portrait Innovation that doesn’t need a portfolio. It gives you the opportunity to work with camera, lights, and also teaches you how to interact with client. With the money that you are going to make buy a second hand camera (I like Fujifilm for half frames) and try to build your portfolio by finding your own clients and taking their pictures.
Good luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Shannon
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Natasha’s Answer

Are you considering a fellowship, traditional degree or apprenticeship in photography?
Have you bookmarked at two dozen photography centers and considered internships at the ones near you?

It would be fantastic if you join a group of mobile photographers (there might be some groups on Instagram, Facebook, Eventbrite or Meetup.
However, since you are a minor, get your parent's permission to join any groups or apply for internships.

Go to Library and spend time studying photography resources (without having to buy them every month/quarter); Go to your local Barnes& Noble and assess the Photography resources there (take notes then regularly find their online updates).

Gently hint that you want specific Photography-centric gifts for birthday or holidays (don't put if you get them: continue taking Mobile Street Photography). If you have a little job one summer, peruse 2nd hand quality cameras at places like Amazon or Ebay. Only buy a camera from a highly-rated vendors on those online marketplaces.

If you get to Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA, visit photo exhibition including the ones at certain universities; some gallery vernissages (art opening receptions) in larger cities are open to the public.

In the meantime, keep practicing your mobile photography (that's also a stepping stone into photojournalism).


Good Luck & Stay Well,
Natasha
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Dexter’s Answer

Hi Shannon,

I would like to echo many of the answers that have already been posted, but most importantly, that you don't need a "professional camera" to become a photographer. I would learn as much as you can about what photography is (I grew up with books, but I think these days I'm sure you can learn just as much and more on youtube and photography websites) and start with downloading apps on your phone that will allow you to learn how a camera works. These apps will allow you to have manual control over your phone, and at first, it will be hard to get everything to work. But as you understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, you will take better and better pictures while in manual mode, and this will allow you to get that much comfortable when you get your first camera.

Secondly, since you are just starting out, the best way to gain real experience, IMHO, is to volunteer. There are so many nonprofits that are looking for any kind of photographers to come and help capture events or day-to-day activities. Some will not care that you don't have a camera as they'll let you borrow theirs.

Lastly, I would try to make friends. There are many photographers that buy too much gear and hold on to old gear for so long that they'll have extra cameras for you to borrow or even have. They won't be the best gear, but honestly, you won't need it for a few years, as you'll need to build experience by shooting as much photos as you can. A good exercise is to go to a communal photography website and just try your best to emulate some of the top photos that you like (and some that you don't like). Or maybe if you feel that many of those photos are using too much fancy equipment, try to copy the best photos taken with an iphone (https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/apple/146898-the-best-apple-iphone-photos-ever-taken).

Anyways, I wish you the best. Good luck!

--
Dexter
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Manish’s Answer

HI Natasha,

You can start photography career with a good camera phone too. Here are is my experience:

I started this hobby couple of years back from my mobile phone and later on followed by DSLR camera. However one thing that I always keep in my mind is to create a story from the Image that i click or else if you are looking to sell you photos (shutterstock, imagesbazaar, getty images are few sites you can google) then always think from a buyers perspective. Try to focus on few photography areas like food or product or people or business photography in mind.

Tip:
> If you want to make a serious career ion photography, i would advice learning Adobe photoshop in parallel.
> Go out with your phone and just explore.

Cheers!
Manish

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Mohammad Rameez’s Answer

Photography is gift. take your mobile out and shoot. you don't need high end camera to capture the emotion. Learn Photoshop and Lightroom. Post processing of your photo is important before presenting it to the world. there are different types of photography( ex. landscape, portrait, fashion, Wedding etc). try to understand which type of photography you are interested in and work on the skills and keep sharing your work to get better opportunity. Mastering a photography takes time and never give up.

You rent a gear to learn more about using the DSLRs.
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James’s Answer

Interesting question - I would still follow your dreams. Keep taking photos on your phone and ask for feedback on your photos from friends and family. As time goes by and if you are keen on following photography as a career path I would do some homework with colleges/universities and see what study options you can do. You can also see online tutorials that are available to improve your skills you currently have on photography. :)
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Angela’s Answer

Hi! For right now, I suggest learning as much as you can. Read websites, books, take classes (I saw that Nikon is waving the fee for all of their online classes for the month of April 2020). Then, take lots of pictures. Put what you learn into practice. Start to create your own portfolio. If you find that you still love it and want to pursue a career in photography, start to reach out to local professional photographers in your area. See if you can get a job as a second shooter for a wedding photographer or work for other photographers in some way.
Best of luck!
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Aaditya’s Answer

Start a blog on Insta/Youtube to showcase your work and give demos related to the techniques you use in your photography.
Based on the response you can start advanced level of tutorials for which you can start charging.
Then you can approach some training websites or portals where you can host your workshops.
You can also take up assignments from some photography studios or product companies.
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Aaditya’s Answer

You can start a blog on Youtube/Instagram to showcase your work and also try to explain how you take your photos, what techniques you use.
Based on the response you can then go for conducting advanced tutorials for which you can start charging per session.
Then based on those earnings you can buy a camera of your choice and start applying for photography jobs in magazines or photography studios based on your genre of photography.
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Parthibhan’s Answer

Good That you have identified your passion this soon and started thinking on making it a career early on. Photography is very unique to a person and can take many shapes and forms based on your imagination and creativity. Hence good that you have started with a mobile phone which is the basic thing to do . But before making this a career or showcase your talent outside please work on improving your camera techniques, shooting styles , explore all kinds of photographies and master some of them, invest in your alternate career to fund your photography interest before you change careers, buy the best gears possible or atleast rent them if you wanna learn and try.

Once all these are done you would be ready for the next level - To become a professional photographer for that you need to showcase your talent and pictures to the larger audience ( The world) - use help of the online photography platforms (used to share and sell photographs), instagram, Start doing small shoots for friends and establish contacts in your field, This will elevate your chance and opportunities to turn into a professional in your field

Happy Clicking !
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