A Career In Photography?

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thelongmile

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I think I need a little help with this one.

The time has come for me, to admit that my love for photography has grown beyond proportion, and that as time goes on, I'd really like to do something with my life in photography.

I've had two failed attempts at University, both on unrelated courses. and at the moment, It seems like I've wasted the last three years of my life, However, in those three years, I've not been without the camera, and developed my skills immensly.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any good, home study courses in photography, Ones that would give me some form of qualification, that would allow me to work as a photographer, be it freelance, or working for a company.

Im having a little hard luck discoving these things, and discovering apprenticeships.

So I'd really like some help with this. Any suggestions would really be welcomed.
 
Have you written to local/national press or local photographers?

Have you got a portfolio you could show a likely employer?

Have you got a web site? Have you any cash you could use to market yourself in with say the local free paper or something of that sort?

these are all things to think about. Word of mouth is an excellent tool too. Get your friends listening out for events in the area etc.

You don't need a qualification. if you are good you'll get the work regardless.
 
I personally think your time would be better spent going out and taking photos instead of doing a course, a lot of people are going to employ you on your proven skills, IE you photos, rather than a qualification on a piece of paper. I would try and build yourself of a large porfolio of shots covering all sorts. Try and get yourself to some local news-worthy events and get some shots to impress newspaper types and then a range of other types of shots, just to show people you arent a one trick pony.

Just my thoughts :) best of luck to you!
 
thanks for the words of wisdom all.

I've approached my local papers, but they wont consider anything or anyone without some kind of qualification. They arnt prepared to take on a hobbyist. Which is a bit of a bummer.

I am working on a portfolio to show to people, and getting along to events is a great idea.

Im more inclined to do a home study course in my own time, at least then I get something to show to employers as well as portfolios.

Id still welcome your views, and any suggestions,

unfortunatley being based in cardiff doesent help matters much
 
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15183&highlight=Open+University

There is a link on the tutorial and guides thread. I have tried to cut and paste the link but failed. The URL is above. A few members here have signed up to an OU course for a 10 week period at the beginning of May 2007, which will be a remote study course. At £155, it's good value if you are not already at that level.

This method allows you to study in your own time. Might be your answer!

Edit - should have more faith in my abilities - the link did not come up in typing the post, only once submit!
 
When at local events submit images to the paper.... if they like what they see they'll start to take an interest.
 
Good advice above, I think most people would like to end doing this. By the sounds of the magazines and books I have read it's hard work, effort and dedication is required. Even the most well established togs still plug themselves.
So be prepared as JD states above to submit photo, after photo, after photo, call, send emails and read. Whilst doing all of that stuff..study hard... and one day....it will happen...If you want it enough :)
 
Any qualification would probably be almost worthless (apart from giving you more confidence to go after work perhaps), as would a job for a local rag to be honest.

The first thing you need to be able to show prospective buyers of your images is unfailing quality in any circumstance. The next most important is a style of your own.

After that it's just never ending leg work to get your face and images in front of as many people with a photography budget as you possible can.
 
I've just dropped on a bit of luck, and at weekends I'm now working with a pro Motorsport photographer covering track day events :)

This all came about with alot of time spent taking pictures at track days myself, and contacting a number of photogrpahers offering my services.

Turns out this pro guy works for the same track that I shoot at, and so has all fell into place nicely.

I showed him my image collection on my site, and he was willing to take me on, my second outing is this weekend :)

I openly admitted to him that I have no qualifications, just a pure love for photography, and he said I was fine, and that with time and effort with him I may well carve myself a career with him full time. I thought at 24 I was late, but he seems to think I'm at a great age. He now wants to develop his company further and has plans to bring more and more work in, with my aid.

Keep at it, get a website knocked up simply hosting your shots, then bang a load of emails out to any photogs you can find, and eventually you will find a break ;)

Good luck, and don't give up, I almost did!
 
Like djaphoto, I also think it helps if you find your niche ... what you actually enjoy taking pics of can sometimes lead to work without even trying.

For instance, have you got a hobby, or do your friends have hobbies that you could photograph, then aproach the relevant hobby mags with?

I have the opposite problem tbh, I have the contacts but dont have the confidence to go for it.
 
Thanks guys :)

Yea, as InaGlo said, I luckily found that my favourite area of photography was Motorsport. I'd always try landscapes, still, all those, but I always came back to Motorsport as I grew up with cars, track days and car clubs, so I put the 2 together and realised I'd like nothing more than to be a photographer at said events, and voila I had found my 'niche' as InaGlo so rightly put it :)
 
Interesting thread... marketing is a pain in the butt, but necessary.
 
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