How to Develop Freelance Photography Skills
- Are longing to be your own boss?
- Does your soul yearn for financial freedom?
- Do you want to create multiple streams of income?
- Do you want to sack your boss before he sacks you?
- Do you want a business you can do on a part time basis without interfering with your normal job or other activities?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, then freelance photography is for you. This is a job that can be done by anybody, once you have the necessary skills. The skills are not hard to develop as I will show you how in this article. You can develop the relevant skills through the following ways:
1. Enroll for Training with your Local Freelance Photography: This is the traditional way of doing it in this part of the world. Look for a good freelance photography in your locality and enroll for apprenticeship. There are other ways of doing this if you are not interested in apprenticeship of a thing. Technology has simplified almost everything this day. As stated in the previous post, where we talked about creating your own job and employ others, there are websites that offer such training. A good example is Alison.
You can also acquire skills online by meeting other freelance photographers online in sites like Meetup.com, this is a site that helps groups of people with shared interest plan meetings and form offline clubs in local communities around the world.
2. Join Photographic Forums: In such forums you will meet people of like mind. There you can ask any questions that bother on photography, share your skills with others and learn from others more experienced than you. Examples of such forums are Canon Digital Photography Forum, a friendly forum for professionals and amateurs alike that use Canon cameras.
The forum contains general photography and technical discussion areas beneficial to both professional and amateurs alike. The Photo Forum is another forum of note, here you are given a lot of benefits when you register. You are given the privilege to advertise your stuffs to the world, you have photo gallery storage, join discussions and participate in photo contest.
Other photography forums of note are Atunbi that deals with wedding photography and "videography" , dpreview.com that offers reviews on digital cameras and photography, and photo.net where you can learn anything on photography. Head over to any of these forums, sign up and participate in discussion to broaden your knowledge and increase your skills in this cool business.
3. Read and Digest your Users' Manual: The best place to learn about your gadget is from the manufacturer. Make your manual your best companion until you have mastered the use of your gadget.
You can equally read reference materials that offer reviews and instructions on the use of many popular photographic gadgets such as Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony. A good example of site that offers such reviews is KenRockwell.com, steeves Digicams and CNET Reviews. If you are a Nikon user, you can visit Nikon Field Guide, if you have any technical issue with your canon gadget, visit canon.justanswer.com, their technical support will answer your questions ASAP!
4. Read Articles on Photography: One good way to improve your business is to read articles or materials related to the business. To be a successful freelance photographer, you should keep up to date with the latest news and trends in he photography world. Here are sites that you can get such information. Make these sites your regular visit, you will for sure improve your skills and expertise.
Digital Photography School: Just as the name implies, it is a school where you can learn anything on photography and accessories.
Black Star Rising: This is a site that offers advice and opinion on the art and business of photography. There you will get articles written by professional and for professional photographers and for photography buyers.
Photo District News: This is an award wining magazine for professional photography industry, that is worth your bookmark.
5. Join Organization for Professional Photographers: A good place to learn is from from people of like mind in the same profession. Such organizations exist to help you grow as an artist (photographer) and a business person. Examples of such organizations are:
- International Freelance Photographers Association
- Federation of European Photographers
- National Press Photographers
- World Photography Organization
- Professional Photographers of America
- The Organized Photographer
- The association of Photograhpers
- Protos - Photography Organization
- Wedding Photography Association
The list is unending, take a little of your time and join one of these organization to develop your photographic skills.
In our last entry we discussed the relevant skills needed for this business. In this post you have learned how to acquire these skills, don't forget that you will also need to learn how to sell your photography and how to make money from freelance photography. We will talk about marketing in our subsequent entry.
And don't forget that the type of gadget you use is paramount to your success in this business. In addition to your big gear (camera), why not consider this portable Canon PowerShotA2300 IS 16.0MP Digital Camera with 5x Digital Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens with 720p HD Video Recording.
If you need a great compact point and shoot camera, a quality camera, great output (pictures and video) at an affordable price, then this simple stylish, chic compact camera is for you. It is packed with advancements that make it easy to get a great shot every time of the day. Whether you are a professional, a hobbyist or an amateur, this is a camera that is appreciated by photographers at all levels. It is such a special "go-any-where" compact digital device that takes the hassle out of capturing beautiful images.
Its smart AUTO Focus recognizes 32 predefined shooting situations, then automatically picks the proper camera settings for you. This means whether you are an amateur or whatever level you are in your photographic skills, this is a perfect camera for you. The Powershot gives you smart AUTO - a sophisticated Canon technology that makes getting that great shot as simple as pressing the shutter button. The AUTO automatically detects scenes by assessing various factors in both the background and the subject, it then makes optimal setting to ensure the best possible image capture when shooting still images.
Its saving memories (in a breathtakingly 720p High Definition) is as easy as pressing the dedicated movie button. Its extra-ordinary resolution and fast performance with 16.0 megapixel image sensor and DIGCC4 image processor, helps you capture more dynamic, explicit images with the 5x Optical Zoom with 28mm Wide - Angle lens.
Its New Digital IS greatly reduces blur by recognizing the main subject and applying the best camera shake correction. The Live View Control enables brightness, color, and tone adjustments to your images using easy to understand controls. Face Self Timer technology waits for a face to enter the frame before the shutter button is released.
The PowerShot is a pretty neat little camera to carry for quick shots of your kids or even when traveling, it's such a pocket friendly device. Great Camera for Quick Snapshots, Easy Quality that's easily affordable: that's the PowerShotA2300 digital camera! I greatly recommend it for the professionals and amateurs alike. Head over to your best electronics store to get yours today.
No comments