Photography is much more than the little pictures we use to capture with our mobile phones and micro cameras. Photography is much more than snapping pictures after all everyone can take a pictures. But beyond taking just ordinary pictures, Photography is an Art!
There are Three different ways in my own opinion you can work as a photographer and any one of them you chose is very viable. If you can combine all the three, that would be even better. I will encourage you to embrace the whole aspects of Photography and see how it goes.
I was in a workshop organized for photographers. One of the speakers, Ali Baba, talked about how a “PROFESSIONAL” photographer called him in January to “thank” him for a referral. A few weeks prior to the call, Ali Baba had contacted the photographer to ask how much it will cost for a portrait session for a “high profile” client.
The photographer gave him a bill of $12,000 for the session after which 32 high resolution soft copies will be delivered on a DVD. He replied the photographer that the client only had a budget of $10,000 & they both settled for $10,000 for 30 high resolution soft copies.
As if that wasn’t shocking enough, the bigger shocker came when Ali Baba mentioned that the reason the photographer called him was to thank him because the client ended up ordering a total of 142 high resolution soft copies.
The 142 soft copies amounts to about $45,000 which is equivalent to N7,020,000 back then.
You know what? The professional Photographer could as well be you. It can happen to anyone who falls within these 3 categories of photography.
Studio Photographer – The way studio photographer works is Open a studio and equip it with all the studio gadgets, then wait for customers to come for photo shoot or portraiture. Types of people that patronizes photo studios includes Models, Customers who wants to take personal photos, and those that needs passport photographs.
Event Photographer – This is the Photographer who specializes in covering events such as: Weddings, Anniversaries, Luncheon, Burial Ceremonies, Carnivals, Sporting Events, etc. They also shoot commercial photographs for adverts and productions. Studio equipments may not be necessary except Hi-Tech Cameras, Laptop, and Lenses.
Travel Photographer – This is the type of Photographer I called ‘Content Photographers’ They go about capturing places, beautiful land scape, events, people, and nature. Different other photography can go into Travel photography. Travel Photographer basically sells photographs to would be users rather than charge money to take photographs.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENTS YOU WILL NEED
Professional Cameras – If you aspires to become a Professional Photographer, you must not do without Professional Camera. They are really expensive but worth every penny spent on them. Prices for professional cameras starts from N150,000 and can be as high as N1,500,000.
Brand to go for are: Nikon D800, Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 7D, Olympus E-3, etc. Do not compromise quality when sourcing for your cameras.
Professional Lenses – Another ‘must not do without’. Professional Lenses are as costly as Cameras or even more. One of them is CN-E 85mm T1.3 L F Cine Lens. EF Mount Prime Designed for Cine-Use For Canon C-Series and Full-Frame DSLRs. Achieves Telephoto Look. 11-Blade Rounded Diaphragm. Stepless and Manual Diaphragm Ring. 300˚ Barrel Rotation. Superb Available Light Performance. Strong Bokeh and Circular Highlights. Supports 4K Recording Quality. Swaps Easily with 24 and 50mm Relatives. Prices starts from N150,000
Pro Laptop – Cheap Laptop will not be good for your editing work. Remember you’ll be working with Adobe Photoshop, look for pro laptops between 4-6GB Ram, Core i3 – i7 Intel machine. Prices starts from N120,000
Other equipment includes:
Studio lights
Memory cards
light modifiers
Soft boxes
Umbrellas
Tripods
Reflectors and Diffusers.
Background supports systems
Studio Props: Chris, Stools, Curtains, etc!
Note: You’ll need to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop and other Software like Coral Draw for your photo editing. Maybe you take one month to learn all these. Once you’re through, you’re good for business. Darlinton Omeh
TO ACHIEVE THIS DREAM VERY SIMPLE!
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Always put your fears behind you and your dreams in front of you..........
“Business is like a wheel barrow. Nothing happens until you start pushing.”
Robert Kiyosaki.....