Freelance Photographers

Road to a Career for Freelance Photographers

After studying and getting really good as an amateur shutterbug, some adventurous photographers choose to go out on their own and work as a freelancer. This is easy to understand why as freelance photographers don't have to deal with a boss, and can many times decide their own hours and choose the types of photographic subjects to shoot.

This piece will give you some beginning tips for getting started in a freelance photography career including a quick video from a professional photographer to give you more ideas about what's involved in this line of work. Enjoy and please keep studying and learning the processes and goals you'll need to set to get the jobs you want.

Getting Started in Freelance Photography

Many freelance photographers can make a career out of doing something they love - creating pictures. Most choose to start by working part time as it takes a while to "get your feet wet" and build a client list worthy of a decent income. Then, once you start to build your business, this money may be reinvested into getting your business as a freelance photographer to the next level which is to produce a working salary.

 

First Thing You Need to Do As a model and stock photographer - and as one of the many freelance photographers floating around the nation, I know that a professional grade camera and especially the lens has to be up to par. This might hurt your pocketbook a little but you will need to purchase new equipment if you can afford it. If finances are a problem, then go with used.

What Kind of Cameras do Freelance Photographers Use?

Some freelance photographers still use medium format or 35 mm film cameras but I would estimate that most in the stock and assignment fields are now either using digital cameras or thinking about changing. I use digital and love the fact that I can check my work as a travel photographer before I leave an area - something that is difficult when using film.

When buying your digital camera, new or used, no matter the brand, a good rule of thumb is to buy a good slr digital camera - but buy the absolute best lenses you can afford. The lens makes a world of difference in your final images.

Name Brand Digital Cameras

Although there may be some argument from different freelance photographers, here is my short list of the top four name brand name single lens reflex digital cameras along with the newest models at the time of this writing.

1 - Nikon D3 12.1MP FX Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Midrange - Nikon D300s 12MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

2 - Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Midrange - Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD (Body Only)

3 - Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization (Body Only)

4 - Sony Alpha A900 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Black)

Lastly, Learn and Practice Your Craft

No client hires freelance photographers who have no real "talent" in their eyes. But, you and I know that talent in photography is subjective and taking photography classes can help you to improve your work dramatically. No matter whether you learn online or through a more formal photographic school, study up on your photography skills.

Business for Freelance Photographers

And, as you learn more about photography, essentially freelance photographers, it is also beneficial to learn a bit about how to run a business so that you can focus on the two most important aspects of becoming a freelancer - pictures and management.

The Fun Part of an Exciting Freelance Photography Career Now, since you love creating photographs, working as a professional is not all work. There are lots of perks too! For one, freelance photographers create images of their choosing to be sold to individuals, organizations or publications. All are creative and love to capture memorable moments to be shared. Selling Your Images You can do this yourself with a website but there are many fine stock photography agencies who cater to freelance photographers and they can reach clients and handle the business end for you - at a percentage. Just depends upon how much you want to get involved. I personally use Alamy Images to handle most of my travel and lifestyle photography work. They sell and I get paid (love getting those checks in the mail). Alamy handles royalty free and rights managed images.

The Freelance Photographers Portfolio

If you plan to go the website route, a portfolio is very important as this allows others to see your photographic work and determine if you can handle what they need. The photo portfolio is an essential tool, just as important as your camera. Spend time creating one that shows off only your best work. This is true even if you have never sold a picture. By doing so, you will increase your freelance opportunities and have the job of your dreams.

I hope this look into the world of freelance photographers gives you an idea of how to get started as a freelance photographer and I hope you lots of success - I look forward to opening a magazine and seeing a picture with your name in the credits.

Model Photography

Bob Pardue Photography