Anyone out there start a photography business based on talent?
Lovely_Lady asked:
I’m looking to pursue my dream career. Do I need education in photography or art of some type, or can I do it without education? Any advice appreciated.
I’m looking to pursue my dream career. Do I need education in photography or art of some type, or can I do it without education? Any advice appreciated.
You need to know enough about capturing images that you always get the shot everytime -so you must know how to drive a camera, do many people build houses without knowing how to do it?
Talent without skill is thin air, skills are learnt, like exposure, marketing, administration et cetera.
It would be really helpful if you did do a course in photography . Another class that might be helpful is some sorta business class, because you have to be good at producing images and selling them too .
You will be amazed at what you’ll learn. Talent is only the first step. You need to know the skills to create in any situation. Every camera is different, Know yours (a good quality one, of course) inside and out. Learn the editing, composition, etc…
If you’re really serious, check out their course tracks!
Betterphoto.com has great courses, as well as galleries, forums, competitions, challenges, clubs, etc… to inspire and further educate your passion.
Here’s my quote… “The more I LEARN, the more I realize I DON’T KNOW!”
Technology is constantly changing, there are always new things to learn. Take your talent and GROW!!
Good luck and HAVE FUN!! ; )
If you mean formal education, then in photography, it is not needed, but encouraged.
I took 2 years out of my life to learn photography before going pro.
You still have to have talent, and you need to educate yourself on the basics of photography, composition, lighting and all that.
Education is definitely helpful for sure. Lots of colleges have photography classes that teach you techniques and composition etc so even some nights courses could help. Read your camera’s manual too to learn the in’s and out’s of your camera!
To be honest i started my business on my talent and i’m now shooting CD album covers for musicians and i have a lot of big projects on the go as well. I should take some courses though, i won’t rule it out but for now i’m good with what i’m doing. Actually i wouldn’t even have the time right now, i also run a home daycare 5 days a week and have two children plus my business so i’m quite busy.
The thing is as a photographer you never stop learning, even the professionals are still learning new techniques. I do feel though that sometimes your talent is good enough..singers don’t learn how to sing they’re born with their natural talent and beautiful vocals that captivate people like “apparently” some of my images do. But again education can never hurt:)
Oh and just too add, as someone else mentioned, i find it hard to believe that even a pro photographer will “get the shot” everytime… i really can’t see that happening:)