The 3 Most Vital Steps To Becoming A Professional Photographer

For many of us, photography has been a passion for most of our lives. We've studied photo techniques, lighting, posing and so on. We've dreamed of becoming a professional photographer  and working at our dream job - but, we don't know where to start.We know we're talented - all our friends and relatives are constantly hounding us to do their portraits or "take a few shots" at their weddings. And frankly, we're getting a little tired of doing free work - especially when the "pros" make thousands of dollars for doing the exact same thing.Working at a mall photo studio doesn't seem too exciting - we look downright weird in a beanie with a propeller on top, plus there doesn't seem to be any emphasis on creativity... The poses are all the same, the lighting is all the same, not to mention the fact that the mall photographers don't make much more than minimum wage.What to do? We COULD take a mall photo job - and let our dreams and abilities atrophy and die a slow agonizing death. Or, we could try to get a job as an intern or an assistant to another photographer - and lug around equipment all day, for no pay. In a couple years we might even be allowed to touch the camera!Or, we could start our OWN photo business!It's not hard. The mall photographers have shown us that we can get started by learning a few basic poses and lighting patterns. If our friends really ARE after us to do their photos, these are the poses that they are expecting and we are already comfortable using. Particularly if we've been studying photography for any length of time at all. Then once we know we've covered the basics, (the poses that our customers will undoubtedly want) we can get creative and put our own vision and style into the session.Finally, we're living the life of our dreams AND by cutting out all the corporate middlemen, we are making a decent living!So, the first thing we need to make money in the life of our dreams is the courage to get started! This is by far the hardest step.The second thing we have to do is set up the mechanical side of our business.Get a business license, business checking account, business cards, look into getting the ability to accept credit/debit cards and so on. This step CAN and probably should be done after we have step number three functioning.True it's a hassle, but this is all fast and easy to do. Plus, if you do everything right and legal from the start, it avoids a lot of problems further down the road. Any accountant can help you get set up with your bookkeeping and show you what records you will need to keep, etc.The third thing we need is customers.This step is easier than you may think. Let's face it, almost everyone uses professional photography at some point in their lives. And most of us use it a LOT!We get our weddings photographed, we get our Bar and Bat Mitzvahs photographed, we get baby pictures, school photos, family portraits, dance recitals, Christenings and on and on...Finding potential customers is no problem. Even better, as more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of portraiture, the industry - at least from my experience - is growing.To find unending streams of potential clients all clamoring for your services is a simple matter of knowing how to inexpensively reach them with your marketing materials - when they are in the market for photography.Put up displays in pet stores and veterinarian's offices to get tons of pet portraits. Displays in ob/gyn offices can get you a lot of baby and family portraits and so on... becoming a professional photographer just involves going where the customers hang out!It really is pretty easy to find customers.In becoming a professional photographer, first learn the photo basics, you don't have to be the next Ansel Adams, just be competent. Then just go for it!