How to be a professional photographer [7 Steps to maximize your chances of success]
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- Seven things you need to do to become a professional photographer. Though a career in photography is often perceived as glamorous, making your living as a photographer actually requires a lot of hard work, time and effort.
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With over 20 years of experience as a professional photographer myself, it’s safe to say I know a thing or two about what it takes to become a successful pro photographer. To help you make a success of your own journey, I’ve broken down the seven key things you need to do to help increase your chances of success including a look at pricing.
Useful Links:
The Business of Photography: www.karltayloreducation.com/b...
Light Source (Know Everything About Light): www.karltayloreducation.com/l...
Introduction to Light: www.karltayloreducation.com/c...
TALK SHOW - Jonathan Knowles: www.karltayloreducation.com/c...
My Blog: www.karltayloreducation.com/h...
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1. Know basics
2. Choose your niche
3. Getting right equipment
4. Practise
5. Be Realistic
6. Understand dots & connections
7. Get your work out there
I haven't decided to become self employed. Covid 19 has kind of made that decision for me. But photography has been a huge passion of mine since I got a Pentax film camera for my 16th birthday. At nearly 40 and finding myself out of work, and medically unemployable, I am going to give photography my all and try my absolute best to make this work. If I fail, at least I tried while I had the opportunity. And there will be no regrets. But I don't intend to fail. I am spending hours on your education platform and have invested in some new kit to add to my collection. I have learned more in the past few weeks than the years of text book reading. The on set tips and tricks you share just cannot be found in a book. They come from years of overcoming these various challenges and seeing what works and what doesn't. I hope to look back and think that this decision was the best thing I did with the situation I've found myself in. Thank you for sharing your experience and skill with us!
How is it going so far?
Good luck!! What’s your IG would love to see your work
Good luck 🙏🏾🙏🏾
how is it going now?
Good luck buddy
Sir, you are not only a top professional photographer but extremely talented and kind enough to pass that wisdom into our hearts.
So nice of you thank you.
Been doing this for 35 years and still learned stuff. Bravo.
Thank you Peter
Interesting… Congratulations to a successful career.. How would you say that photography have changed professionally since when you started?
I'll stay in the hobbyist lane for now. The key point for me is to practice and try different things.
Make a business and practice still. make money in the process without cutting yourself short.
As someone who has been trying to quit my day job for the last 9 years and become a working photographer, you are one of a small number of people on youtube whose advice carries gravitas, let alone knows what he's doing.
Cheers
I agree 100%
Yes people he actually shows you step by step how he does his product shots instead of just talking about the latest camera. Useful info that you need to know in order to make money in the business of photography not just aimlessly spending money on gear you'll never get full use of.
Thank you for your comment
Your videos are very comprehensive and it's obvious that you're an expert. You're a true educator. Looking forward to watching more.
Your channel and experience worth more than gold. Thank you!
This is more than useful, it was pleasure to watch!
I appreciate your honesty. You gave my a little hope on becoming a proTog one day, although it is hard to keep the positivity sometimes.
I hope to become a photographer one day :)
This is awesome! Amazing!!! Every photographer must watch this
Tysm Karl, this was so helpful to understand what we are doing and what we should be doing.. lots of love and support..
Always an inspiration. Thank you.
Good advice. Thanks. I have been waiting for this
So many golden advices in a very educational way! thank you for taking time to share your experience.
Thank you Amine
I Really enjoyed your advices and all are really true. I am in that path to discovery myself in that field and I have the passion for it. Thank you for sharing all this and I will focus on it. Thank you again.
Thanks Karl. Great video mate.
Love your work, coupled with your clear and concise approach to teaching.... thank you
Thank you Stuart
All great advice. You're a huge inspiration to me and I've learned so much. Thank you!
Thank you Wally
Wow! Karl, what an amazing amount and quality of information you have presented in this video. Thank you.
My pleasure, thanks
Love your videos. Lots of information. Great advice. Your product photography is WOW! This makes all of us watching your channel, and subscribing inspires us to do more.
Thanks Andrew
Good stuff Karl; subbed. I've been sloggin' away since I was a 22yo grad; now 63. I'm a proud Generalist. On purpose. So my "style" is more.....the ability to cover multiple bases and subject matter. I'm hired for that range and experience.
Any photographer that says they're a "professional photographer" needs to do at least two things: Demonstrate it, stop talking about what you are; SHOW it. PROFESSIONAL RESULTS is the operative standard. And secondly, if photography isn't your chief source of income, you ain't. You're a semi-paid hobbyist.
Lastly, everybody seems to think they can shoot a wedding. That's not my cup of tea, but I've seen HORRIBLE work for decades. Actually the specialty requires advanced skill-sets, knowledge of mixed lighting, using flash, posing, ETC. Few do it well. And it shows!
Thanks for your honesty. 8:08 I do photography as hobby, I can shoot when I want and what I want when my daily job can pay all my expenses. No any stress to find a client next day ... BTW, my photos are time to time in local newspaper and what they generally pay per photo is laughing....
Straight to the point. No punches pulled. Appreciate your good advice.
Cheers
Thanks so much for this Karl! You're a huge inspiration to me despite that I'm a nature photographer.
Thank you.
I have decided to watch all your videos, I know will learn a lot from you ❤️
People skills are hugely important. I know some extremely good photographers but can't communicate. You may have all the above but if you are not likeable you have hit a wall. Having a great assistant can be worth their weight in gold. Excellent list.
Good point on the people skills I forgot that one!
I currently enrolled in your course and learned with your video since before it was subscription. I have improved so much and been doing very well because the way you teach makes it fun to learn and easy to understand. thank you so much for your lessons
Thank you
Thanks a lot sir, very valuable information 🥰
Cool! Thanks for the video! 📸
Thank you for this video! I will check out your classes!
Thank you.
Fantasticly honest Karl, I really enjoyed this.
One of your best videos!
Thank you so much. This must be your passion.
Very good advices specially point three “Niches” for myself.
Great advice Carl thanks for sharing.
Thank you
Excellent advice from someone who knows what he does.
I'm 15 and I have a love for photography, I understand art and the art for photography and hope this can be my future career, hopefully my photos can improve.
Best of luck Sam.
Superb shots!
dude im 15 mins in and WOW!! Not only is this on point but really thorough for youtube. Thank you
Great thanks. Check out some of our others too.
very true , all the information given by Karl absolutely true . Thanks Karl
Thank you Sir for sharing this Truth of Perfection in this Profession of Photography. This helps every individual who is looking build themselves as a Professional Photographer, I do love to implement this truth in my passion & profession of photography. Thank you Karl Taylor Sir.😊
Glad it was helpful Jignesh!
Well after a year of subscription on the Karl Taylor Education (KTE) platform, and learning from KT DVD-s a year before, I'm a better photog. then I was last year. With learning and trying, making mistakes, watching and understanding the lessons on KTE a photog. the only way is forward. One of the most important lessons is that learning and progression are to build one step at the time. On KTE there is so much knowledge that one needs a few years to try all of the examples. And not just stay focused on practical lessons, but to learn about organizing work and watch or listen to the interviews from professionals. Thanks, Karl.
Thank you Denis.
@@VisualEducationStudio You are welcome, thank you again!
Really a great lesson for me, thank you..
Superb video and very nice taste and expertise .... my congrats , from Lisbon, Portugal.
Thank you!!
thanks for the helpful tips
Tnx Karl . You Are Great man
Very kind thank you.
First time ever to see how much can you make from a Photographer based on the kind of photography!
The best advice was practice. But so much great advice.
Thanks Alvin, definitely just doing it is the best advice.
Fanatic portfolio and professional advice, thank you
Our pleasure!
I've been watching alot of photography videos on youtube and this guy really seems to have it dialed in. It seems like there are far more youtubers making videos on photography than there are photographers making videos on youtube.
Excellent overview and presentation!
Thank you Annette
You are right, it is probably best to specialize in one or two areas to become experts at those first and make money there, before broadening the scope in other areas. Thanks Karl for your tutorials. I am looking at joining your website classes.
Great thanks, all our best stuff is over there. Cheers.
thank you so much ! .. so useful video
Glad it was helpful!
Really good, sound and honest words Karl.
Thank you
Well done, cool video!👍
Yess! Amazing
I know many portrait photographers do struggle and they do not specialize, I was making one million $ per year constantly since the 90's until about 2014 then it did start to sink in that everyone is a photographer as Karl said, I am out of retirement as I was totally bored and now only generate 100k or so, People are spending less, if I market more then yes more to $ come but less per client. One thing I am very surprised about is the number of photographers out there, it's amazing, there is much money to be made in education and there are many educators. I like Karl he does a very good job. I NOTICE that portrait clients are very much influenced by the Instagram thing and the cameras on their phones, So Karl is right the portrait sector has taken a hit, Nice video Karl, From Canada EH!
Thank you and glad to hear you are still in the game and hopefully still enjoying it.
what a wonderful response!!! Thanks for sharing!!!! Both Karl and you fine sir..... Greetings from Mexico
Fun to watch you work in the Studio and see the Tools ..brings back Memories and Inspirational too !
Karl, for someone just getting into product photography and lighting being so important, what 3 lighting set-up would you recommend?
A very powerful video filled with insightful information. I don't plan to go pro even I study professional photography just for building the foundation of photography.
Thank you
Superb advice!
Excellent content!
I absolutely love this guy, no nonesense or false humility, just a great photographer and teacher.
Excellent upload… Big Tingz
I'm planning to start my photography journey. This is helping me alot
Great cheers.
Muchas gracias!
Useful tips sir ,
I simply love the information you provide/ you have been providing throughout these years. You are one of the reasons I dared try anything new with my photography. Wish I could come and learn in person at your institute, but till that time comes I keep learning here and from your DVDs that I got some years ago !! Thanks for the channel and the Knowledge you share.
Thank you
thank you so much!
merci beaucoup pour votre video
de rien
@@VisualEducationStudio 👍🏼
Thanks alot!
Thank You Sir.......
Thankyou sir...
Awesome video 👍🏾👍🏾👌🏾👌🏾
Thank you 👍
I’m 15 and doing GCSE photography and hope to do A level photography so this is very helpful thank you
Glad it was helpful!
tips from a Legend
Great video.!!! A bit overwhelming for someone like me who wants to get into this business but my only equipment is a nikon d5600. 🤣 definently im going to check your classes
Thanks
Hi Karl it was great that you made this informative video - I did take advantage of many of your classes for a while last year which helped my knowledge and confidence tremendously - as an out of work graphic and motion designer Ive been trying to get into headshot and portrait work for some while now based in Pimlico London just form my flat or on location - its not easy so many here already doing this with better equipment and space plus as you say many potential clients using their own equipment to do a passable job themselves - if you get a chance to suggest an idea on differentiating oneself from this London market I would be so grateful - I did recently attempt a black and white Hollywood style shoot - it went well I think can do better and I like the look as have always done since a little boy.
Hi John, it's difficult as every one has done everything these days and every style. If you are interested in the Hollywood style check out Harcourt studio in Paris for inspiration. We've also got a live show on replay of the technique on our education website.
@@VisualEducationStudio awesome reply thanks yeah i can see me rejoining your site!
Great!!!!
Very inspiring. TKS. ;)
Karl, I appreciate your advice in this video. I noticed that you included video snippets of various niche's. May I ask what your specialty is? And what Niche have you made the most money?
You can see my speciality here karltaylor.com but it is mostly product and advertising photography
Also, another thing, don't expect that all the new things need to come from outside sources, internet, books and asking others photographers learned to figure out new things, giving solutions by your self because for sure there information that never written or said anywhere
I studied as a product photographer, but i have so much difficulties to find clients. I still do some work of different nature to keep me alive and pay the bills but it is really frustrating. Also in my area there aren't product photography studios if i will try to search for a job under another photographer. Sadness is over the roof.
What you recommend for everyday photography
Karl you deserve more sub mate . One of the most underrated channel . The information you providing is true gem . One point in time I thought u are monte isom.
Just saw this, I am happy because I checked all of the “boxes”, well, in my mind at least,….One thing I do not agree with though, I don’t care if I make half of the money I make now, even if I have to work extra hours to make that half, photography is my passion, from the moment I wake up till the second I fall asleep, all I can think about is exposure, composition, gear and all that jazz…. To make just enough money to pay the bills would be amazing already if I get to spend my all my days making pics, I think lot of passionate photographers feel the same way….
Upcoming photographer here . My niche would be headshots photo for business etc. I do well at those. I wouldn't do anything outside of that if I'm not comfortable.
It's very easy, it only took me 10 years of assisting and working on my portfolio until I had my own studio in NYC. Nowadays everyone with a cell phone thinks they can become a professional photographer because they make "pretty" pictures with it lol. My favorite is when someone calls themselves a "semi-pro"; you're either a pro or you're not. But good luck!!!
Yes the 'semi-pro' is an unusual one.
I'm new and my heart is leading me to portraits. No where near weddings 😂😂😂. Ppl have entitlement issues when it comes to weddings. No thx..
When it comes to portraits it's more private sometimes even in a busy area. I like that and I don't wanna just shoot the typical skinny women and muscle guys. I'm willing to shoot any race, any gender, and any body size.
Sir, please make a video about commercial, architecture
eal estate photography
Sir I am pradeep and I wanted to specialized in fashion photography. So give some tips on building portfolio
KTE platform is money well spent... since I joined a couple years ago, not only have I learned a ton from Karl, but I am starting to go bald - so I know I am getting better!
Cheers John. It's good being bald one less thing to worry about, no faffing in the mirror. :)
@@VisualEducationStudio Hmmm. Yet another reason to consider switching to "mirrorless"!
No grass grows on a busy street. 😂
Will stop Flickr and subscribe to KTE finally. You are the only real pro here. Sure this will be good!
Thank you
Something I'm struggling with is affording the light or finding studios. Any advice?
You should make a video for clients on how to use photographers.
Also what kind personality you have plays and important role but is not an easy thing to change
gret sir
thanks
Hey Karl, you mention earning figures and charging prices at the same time, so do I have to understand that the first one is (yearly) income after taxes and the second gross sales before taxes? Living in a heavy-taxed country, it can make a significant difference... Thanks ^ ^
Is it necessary to hire a model to build a portfolio? I've been into photography for 2 years now, but this year I decided to make it serious as a career in fashion photography