Q&A for How to Become a Professional Photographer

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  • Question
    Can you be under 18 to be a photographer?
    Community Answer
    Yes. It is just easier to starting a small business when you are old enough to find another source of income so you have some starting cash.
  • Question
    Where do I start to be a photographer?
    Community Answer
    Start by taking pictures as much as you can, then show them to professionals and ask their opinions so you can learn more about the craft.
  • Question
    What degrees do I need in order to become a photographer?
    Community Answer
    You don't need any degrees in order to become a photographer. Pursuing a degree in photography will allow you to take courses that can be very helpful when learning to become a photographer, however. You will not only learn basic photography, but topics like studio lighting and composition as well.
  • Question
    How can I know when I need a different lens to take a particular picture?
    Community Answer
    There are three factors to consider in choosing a lens. Number one is the quality. Better crafted (and typically more expensive) lenses will provide you with a clear image. Remember that it's always better to invest in better lenses as opposed to buying an expensive body. Number two is the aperture. Different lenses will allow you to stop up to larger apertures (lower #'s). If you are in low light or want a shallower depth of field, you may choose a lens with a wider maximum aperture. Thirdly, focal length arguably has the greatest effect. A longer focal length (higher #) will compress the foreground and background more.This can be useful for portraits as it makes a subject look more natural.
  • Question
    What subjects at school should I study to become a professional photographer?
    Community Answer
    Photography, art and any class that includes photo editing software or adobe.
  • Question
    Can I be a photographer under the age of 10?
    Community Answer
    Your age doesn't really matter .If you want to become a photographer, then go for it.
  • Question
    Do I need a diploma in photography in order to become a professional photographer?
    Community Answer
    No, but getting a diploma will improve your chances at getting accepted by a company, help you build a portfolio, and help you get experience and possibly internships.
  • Question
    Can I become a photographer if all I do is art in school?
    Community Answer
    Yes. As Step 1 says, it's up to you to decide how you want to become a photographer. No specific education is required, as long as you can educate yourself about photography.
  • Question
    Which camera is best to use for professional photography?
    Community Answer
    There is no best camera. The best camera is the one that fits your needs. Figure out what your needs are and then find the camera that best suits your photography needs.
  • Question
    Is it okay to start with a phone camera?
    Community Answer
    You can practice with a phone camera, but eventually, you'll want to get a real camera.
  • Question
    What is the best time of day to take a landscape picture?
    Community Answer
    Honestly, there is no best time of day to take a landscape picture. Sunset time is good because the lighting will make the picture a lot more interesting and engaging.
  • Question
    Do I have to be good at art to become a professional photographer?
    Community Answer
    No. You can be a good photographer without knowing much about art at all as long as you have decent photography skills. The only things you need to become a good photographer are a camera and some patience.
  • Question
    I just started, and am planing to buy a bit more professional camera. I will mainly focus on natural lighting interiors and exteriors. Would really appreciate if you could give me your personal camera model preference for that sort of photography?
    Community Answer
    If you are a beginner, any starter DSLR like Canon 1300D or 1200D should work. Just focus on lenses, as they can do better things with not-as-good of a camera body.
  • Question
    How do I know if a career as a photographer is right for me?
    Community Answer
    There's no way to know for sure, but you might start by asking yourself if photography is something you are passionate about. Then maybe take a photography class and ask the instructor if they think you have an aptitude for it.
  • Question
    What should I do if my parents are divorced and I can't keep my files in one place?
    Community Answer
    Upload your files to cloud storage like Dropbox or Onedrive, which makes it possible to access files from different locations. However, always remember to have local backups in case of issues with the cloud storage servers.
  • Question
    How do I get the right equipment?
    Community Answer
    Do your research and communicate with other photographers. Although the right equipment is the equipment that suits you the best.
  • Question
    How old must I be to become a professional photographer?
    Community Answer
    Age doesn't really matter. If you want to become a photographer, then go for it.
  • Question
    My English is not good. Can I be a photographer?
    Isabel Wright
    Community Answer
    English or not, you can still become a great photographer! In fact, you can use that as an advantage, by making art and emotion out of your main language.
  • Question
    What do I need to study in university to become a photographer?
    Community Answer
    You don't need any specific formal education to become a photographer, but you can study photography if you want to. Most universities with a fine arts program should have a photography option.
  • Question
    How could I start my photography career with my phone?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Even though many smartphones today offer excellent cameras with a lot of apps offering editing tools, if you're serious about photography as a career, invest in real camera equipment. Stabilization, aperture, interchangeable lenses, zoom capabilities... In all these aspects of photography, a real camera beats a smartphone ten times out of ten.
  • Question
    What equipment do I need to setup a photography studio?
    Community Answer
    You will need flash guns (speed lights) or studio lamps. There are many kinds, so the exact type depends on what you want to achieve. Thinking outside the box and looking at what other photographers do helps a lot, but in the end it's yoru creative product, so the sky is the limit!
  • Question
    Are there any licenses required to become a professional photographer?
    Community Answer
    You will need a business license, but that's the only one.
  • Question
    Where is the best place to start photography?
    Community Answer
    Anywhere that you feel comfortable. That could be your home, school, local park, or even on a road trip. It's completely up to you. (If you're interested in photographing people, you could ask your family and friends to pose for you.)
  • Question
    Can somebody new to photography become a photographer if they get proper training?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Anyone can become a photographer with proper training, practice and dedication.
  • Question
    Do you need to be good at art and painting to be a photographer?
    Isabel Wright
    Community Answer
    Not at all! Photography is its own art.
  • Question
    I want to become a photographer for weddings, parties etc. - what software should I learn to make or edit photos?
    Community Answer
    For PC, Adobe Photoshop is pretty much the standard. If you're using your phone or a tablet, the Superimpose app is good as well.
  • Question
    Can young people become photographers?
    Hailey Barton
    Community Answer
    It doesn't matter what age you are, just matters how good you become.
  • Question
    How do I pick the right camera for photography?
    Community Answer
    There's no "right" camera, just pick one based on your needs as a photographer and what kind of pictures you take.
  • Question
    What kind of photography careers are there?
    Community Answer
    There are all kinds! The most common is probably an event/family photographer, which could include weddings, family portrait sessions, graduation photos, etc. However, some photographers choose to work for businesses or corporations doing brand promotion. Those are just a few examples - any field that requires photographs could use a photographer!
  • Question
    Is going to school online the same as going to a college in person?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    It used to be frowned upon, in the past. They said it was for lazy people, and the degree was as valuable as the toy in a box of cereals. But that was in the past. Today, most if not all universities offer distance learning courses, valued as at least equal to their in-class courses. So yes, going to school online is the same as going to college in person.
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