The world is rapidly changing so there is no need in having a nine to five office job to make decent money. You can open up your mind and choose to pursue your true passion. If it’s photography, you are on the right page.
You have probably heard of the most popular photography careers – weddings, travel, portraits. If you are someone who likes to think out of the box and choose your own unique path, check out the list of photography professions that are less saturated. They offer a less competitive environment and provide a huge range of opportunities for an aspiring photographer.
Passport Photography for Beginners
Passport photography is a great start for an aspiring photographer. It does not require extensive experience and huge investments, but at the same time can bring a sustainable income. ID photography is a simple way to gain experience and build up an initial client base.
Set up a small studio in your apartment or garage. Get a backdrop paper, decent light equipment, and a camera. And most importantly, install Passport Photo Maker – ID photography software that will help you acquire basic knowledge about the requirements for visa and passport photos. It works very easy: open a photo in the program, select the type of the document and the corresponding country, for example, a passport photo in the US. No need to know how to make a 2×2 picture, the software will resize the image automatically to meet the latest requirements.
Pet Photography for Animal Lovers
If you are someone who would rather work with animals, pet photography is the answer. Spend your working hours having a blast with cute puppies and adorable hamsters while actually earning money. Many pet owners would like to have professional photos of their furry friends as a part of family pictures.
Firstly, get to know your subject, play with it and try to make friends. Help them to get used to the camera, lighting, and shutter noise. Ask the owners to participate and help the animal get comfortable next to you. Secondly, pet photography resembles portrait photography where your goal is to capture the personality and individuality of the subject. Try to figure out what the pet likes the most, what interests it has, and capture the essence of your cuddly model.
Sports Photography for Sports Fans
If you are a true sports fan and enjoy spending a couple of hours on the court or field watching the game, this career might be a great choice. The best part is that this career path has an easy entry – just walk over to the nearest football field and shoot local teams. Once you obtain decent experience and build a portfolio of great shots, start offering them to local newspapers and online magazines.
The only downside is the necessity of purchasing powerful lenses on day one. Even when you are starting out and gaining expertise, your lenses should be able to capture the rapid movements as well as to zoom in without jeopardizing the quality.
Commercial Photography for Brand Enthusiasts
Especially now in the era of social media, holding massive power and being the number one marketing tool, commercial photography is a great opportunity to make money. Every business, from brand new to old and established, needs a professional portfolio of their products. Let it be a luxurious hotel chain or a restaurant, beauty salon or spa, business owners require new images for their websites, Instagram accounts, brochures, and banners.
As a start, look for new small businesses in your neighborhood and offer them your services. Some will refuse but if you are persistent enough and confident in your skills, you will definitely land your first gig.
Photojournalism for Experienced Photographers
This journey is for photographers who have been around for a while. Once you have a nice skillful portfolio on your hands and years of experience, you can start applying for photojournalist jobs. It will take you quite a long time to get there, however, if you are truly excited about covering the latest events and being part of a news team, this career opportunity will suit you well. It is a hectic job full of unexpected situations but if you enjoy being on the road and making news dynamic and exciting, you will love photojournalism.
Regardless of your interests and level of expertise, the world of photography has a lot to offer. Just choose your path and follow it and make sure you enjoy the journey.