Requirements of a Commercial Photographer
- Thread starter sheldonchew
- Start date
The ability to read, like the stickies posted in the "The Photo Biz" section.
The Photo Biz
Photoshop skills? No, but can help if you don't have the budget for a professional retoucher.
Full frame DSLR? No.
You need initiative, skills, a good portfolio, references, etc. You will need to decide what field you want to be in - Jack of all trades are what every kid with a DSLR claims to be, but to earn money you need to specialize in a specific aspect of photography, to the point where when people think "I need a photographer to take these kind of pictures" your name is on the shortlist. Most importantly, you need to have the skills that would want to make people pay you money.
The Photo Biz
Photoshop skills? No, but can help if you don't have the budget for a professional retoucher.
Full frame DSLR? No.
You need initiative, skills, a good portfolio, references, etc. You will need to decide what field you want to be in - Jack of all trades are what every kid with a DSLR claims to be, but to earn money you need to specialize in a specific aspect of photography, to the point where when people think "I need a photographer to take these kind of pictures" your name is on the shortlist. Most importantly, you need to have the skills that would want to make people pay you money.
Photoshop skills -- can be outsourced
FF DSLR -- hardly worth mentioning (cost-wise) when you think about all the equipment and facilities a commercial studio needs
Apart from photographic skills, you'll need to be a stickler for details, able to solve problems quickly, manage people and logistics, be a people-person, be able to interpret a creative brief and add your own 2 cents, good at promoting yourself, and a whole lot more.
Nothing beats experience, so you might want to consider starting out as an assistant. It'll give you some insight into what goes into a commercial shoot.
There's a commercial photographer looking for an assistant now -- check the Services Wanted section.
FF DSLR -- hardly worth mentioning (cost-wise) when you think about all the equipment and facilities a commercial studio needs
Apart from photographic skills, you'll need to be a stickler for details, able to solve problems quickly, manage people and logistics, be a people-person, be able to interpret a creative brief and add your own 2 cents, good at promoting yourself, and a whole lot more.
Nothing beats experience, so you might want to consider starting out as an assistant. It'll give you some insight into what goes into a commercial shoot.
There's a commercial photographer looking for an assistant now -- check the Services Wanted section.
What kind of a professional you want to be?
What kind of efforts you intend to make?
You want to be the hardwork kind that go through assistant route?
Or the instant kind we see offering services in here?
Technical skills + Equipment are easy to fulfil. It's all skills you can learn and gear you can rent.
It's your resolve that's questionable.
what does these two has to do with commercial photographer?
is this person already a competent photographer?
sheldonchew said:
Good photographic skills (means the full set, not just camera skill).
More importantly, good business sense cos you can employ photographers but if you're really good, can employ a boss to run it for you.
Nothing wrong being a photographer but do remember you're similar to hourly rated employees, no work, no money. If you cant handle your finances, youll not last very long.
Just know it's not a walk in the park.
for any creative business you will probably need some of the following:
professional competency = technical competency (in this case- photographic skills) + adequate tools (not necessarily the most expensive gear, but more of what's right for the job)
personal competency = soft skills (stress management, time management, people management, problem solving, creative vision, multitasking, situational awareness,emotional fortitude in face of unreasonable vendors, customers, and even peers) + financial skills (money management, cashflow management, hiring an accountant) + marketing skills
and as with every self-employed person or business owner: discipline and perseverance (i am not a pro photog but am self employed in creative industry)
professional competency = technical competency (in this case- photographic skills) + adequate tools (not necessarily the most expensive gear, but more of what's right for the job)
personal competency = soft skills (stress management, time management, people management, problem solving, creative vision, multitasking, situational awareness,emotional fortitude in face of unreasonable vendors, customers, and even peers) + financial skills (money management, cashflow management, hiring an accountant) + marketing skills
and as with every self-employed person or business owner: discipline and perseverance (i am not a pro photog but am self employed in creative industry)
Professional means, you have something to offer that other people are willing to pay money for. What can you offer..?
Confidence that you can handle the job with all that you have - your equipment, your skills, your attitude and your wits & creativity.
No requirement, anyone can be a professional photographer. Its staying professional that matters.
In that context, anyone can be commercial photographer, wedding photographer, whatever he wants to call himself.
Had a rich client whose son is a fashion photographer, father got him studio, profoto lights, hasselblad medium format system, but no client (note the singular). After the boy had his fun, he can try other stuff. End of the day he is going to inherit enough that he can be whatever profession he wants (most).
Again, no requirement, anyone can be, thats why got so many goons in the industry that makes this occupation more depressing than a circus clown. Sorry for the negativity..
one of the more important aspects to making a living as a self-employed person (especially in the creative industry) is a sense of optimism. JasonB you probably need a top up 
please enjoy some of the jokes in the first and only ever Clubsnap Jokes Thread in the Kopitiam subforum. Good day!
please enjoy some of the jokes in the first and only ever Clubsnap Jokes Thread in the Kopitiam subforum. Good day!
Most important is that YOU are the one with the rich client
Cheer up!
All kinds in this industry, from clowns, to goons to hippos :bsmilie:
Similar threads
