Expert: Don Wood - 11/14/2004

Question
I am currently in a field unrelated to photography, but I am considering switching fields.  Photography has become a serious hobby of mine and the more I think about it, I would like to take more classes and make the move to become a professional.  I am particularly intersted in nature & wildlife and advertising and fashion photography.

One main factor that would determine how quickly I change fields or if I try to do both is income.  I really have no idea how much a professional photographer makes, and which niches pay more.  I would think that a wedding photographer makes less than an advertising photographer. Is this right?  Also nature photography seems extremely competitive.  

Thanks,
Jessica

www.jessicavasale.com  

Answer
Jessica
It sounds as if you are interested in Photography. Bear in mine that many are called to this craft, few really make it beyond the first year. While you are doing pictures as a hobby, when people ask you to take pictures for them, they're really not doing you a favor, they're trying to save money. 30 years ago I've had people tell me that they would buy the materials, pay for the processing, just take the pictures. They consider that they are doing me a favor. They will tend to flatter you with praise for your work but if you suggest that they pay a certain amount for your work they will suddenly thank you and go somewhere else to try the same thing. Don't fall for it! What you would like to do is to get paid for the job. You will first have to pay your dues to the profession. You will have to get as much training as you can afford, visit as many museums, both art and photographic. You will be continually looking at pictures trying to determine how you would photograph them to achieve the effect you want. There will be many lean times before you hit the big time. It is easier to achieve your goal if you have someone to provide the rent, groceries, gas, normal living expenses, etc. Then there is the specialized equipment you will have to buy to do the jobs you want to do.
Notice I've not said anything about the fields of wildlife or nature and how to fit in. It will take luck, perseverance to succeed in these fields. Wedding photography can be a wonderful weekend warrior field for you while you are working your day job. Wildlife and Nature could be done on weekends, etc. Perhaps if you were to enroll in a school specializing in these fields they could offer more help.
It's easy to take pictures with today's cameras, it's harder to see which pictures to take, and which pictures will sell the best for you. It seems to me that to succeed in the 2 fields you would need an agent so that you could focus on taking rather than selling.
Good luck to you. Get the best education in the field you can get before starting out. You may discover that the Portrait field is more appealing, group photography, baby portraits, weddings, etc is more your cup of tea.
Keep me posted, I will be glad to help, just ask.
Don