The Experiment - from zero to professional photographer

How do I become a professional photographer? What is a “professional” photographer? Just what even is a photographer? All very good questions and something that I need to answer!

I enjoy taking photos. Does this make me a photographer? Whether they are happy snaps on holidays or “selfies” at a party, I enjoy trying to take a good photograph. That being said, I don’t overly go out of my way to find the photograph and no one has ever bought one off me. I simply take advantage of the opportunity when it arises. I think it is this combination of facts that means I am not currently a professional photographer, and not even a photographer. I have had friends ask for copies of my photos, but it is not necessarily because they like my photographs, it is because they need something to help them remember the blank spots in their memory or find out what the person looks like that they gave their phone number to. I guess my enthusiasm for photography and my lack of experience would make me a “photography enthusiast”. Not a very interesting title L

On a more serious note, I have taken some photos that I consider good, and I have taken some that other people like a lot. This, combined with a dislike of my current career, sparked an idea. What if I could make a living from photography? How awesome would that be! I could wake up every day knowing that I can do something that I enjoy, and possibly be my own boss! What a great life!

This leads me to my experiment. I will be spending the next two years, seeing if it is possible to become a professional photographer. Before I go on any further, I realise that it is “possible” for some people; otherwise the world would be void of sleazy guys taking photos of half naked girls. What I mean though, is this, for a normal person with a career, friends, family and other interests all taking up my time, is it possible to work on my photography in a fun and enjoyable way that allows me to eventually survive on the income it generates alone. If I cannot survive on it alone, can I generate enough money to buy some nice toys. If I cannot buy some nice toys, can I make enough to buy some nice wine. If I cannot buy some nice wine, can I sell just one single photograph?!?

I know I am not the only one out there who would like to do photography for a living, and I am definitely not the most talented photography enthusiast. All this means is that this will be an interesting experiment!! Along the way I will keep you informed on everything I learn. This will include information on ways to sell your photography, ways to improve the pictures you take, equipment, and techniques, computers and digital editing. I am going to be doing this in a very informal way, no expensive photography courses or degrees for me!

Enjoy reading about my mistakes, but if I make them and write about them, then you don’t have to make them! In the end I might not achieve the goal of becoming a professional photographer, but the only failure in life is not trying. Regardless, it will be an interesting life experiment!