Why… oh why does everyone think that becoming a portrait or wedding photographer is like the easiest damn thing on the planet to do?
Seriously people, if you found this article on Google and are hoping to find the path of least resistance to becoming independently wealthy by taking photos click right back where you came from. Without getting into business horror stories let me just say emphatically that it’s not as easy as some of these ridiculous get started guides would have you believe.
FabJob dot com for instance is selling a 127 page e-book guide that will help you “Start a Wedding Photography Business or a Portrait Photography Business“. It’s even on sale for only $29.97. Now obviously I’ve not read the guide but they sell it on their site like opening your studio doors is all peaches and cream. As a professional with well over a decade in this business I can tell you that this is not all I dreamed it would be. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do. But the business end of portrait and wedding photography can be pure frustration and often an exercise in futility.
So my advice, if you’re really serious about becoming a successful professional photographer is as follows:
- Don’t go buying $30 dollar discount guides! Instead join a professional organization like the DWF, the PPA or even WPPI. You’ll find all that information and more along the additional member benefits.
- Attend a convention and actually goto the classes. Again the DWF Convention, PPA’s Imaging USA or even the WPPI convention will all suffice.
- Hire or at least talk to an accountant before you take your first client. Have them setup everything you’ll need.
- Hire a lawyer and get a solid contract. NEVER work without a contract.
- Oh yeah and when all that is done then you’ll have all the spare time in the world to perfect your photo taking skills. (sarcasm intended)
BTW, DWF trials are FREE. Grab a trial membership today! And never forget, everyone knows the best way to make money in this industry isn’t by working as a photographer. You make money by selling widgets to the photographers. 
6 Comments at "Become a Photographer It’s Easy"
http://www.wppionline.com/newsletter/December2009/BUSINESS-LANDSCAPE.aspx
Check out Dan Heller’s opinion about going into business as a photographer. Apparently it isn’t necessary to talk to an accountant…. or to have a business plan.
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lol. Love it.
Sent you guys some kudos in my blog and some tweets “The Digital Wedding Forum shows them (meaning us) how it’s done” http://bit.ly/8hqFAs
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Yeah, just join DWF or PPA and that will solve all of the career woes…..spend all of your money attending classes shoving sponsored gear down your throats ” Use MY camera and you can be just like me”…..yep, that is all one needs. If these organizations were so intent on helping photographers then they would put on their seminars for free, and so would the photographers.
It’s all about making money to unsuspecting newbies who eventually find out once they are in the profession for a couple of years that they wasted their time and money sitting starry eyed listening to selected photographers pushing equipment companies products.
+1
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