Got a note the other day from an aspiring photographer. He wanted to know what it takes to become a pro. I thought–very pragmatically–that it’s really not complicated. HARD maybe, but complicated, no. It might be what “the industry” doesn’t want you to know, but here are the 5 steps.
1. Declare yourself a photographer. That’s what you ARE in life. You’re not a student, not a finance-guy-slash-part-time-photographer, not a part time anything. You’re a photographer. People have to know this.
2. Be in business. Make it real. Get a business bank account, business license (city + county), business cards. Business. Otherwise it’s a hobby.
3. Read every book you can find at the library or online about the business of photography. Understand the rules. Because if you fail at the business part, if you can’t SUSTAIN this business, you’re not a pro. You’re unemployed, or back to part-time this or that. And back to step 1 you go again…wanting to be a pro. NOW then, if read these books and they make sense, and they teach you how to run the books and land the gigs…you gotta then break some of the rules you read in these books. And YOU choose which are the right ones to break. You’ll be right 50% of the time, you just won’t know which 50% until after you’ve taken the leap. Action is the only thing that matters.
4. Take photographs everyday and share them, pimp them, promote them like mad. For clients and for yourself. Get creative as all hell. Find YOUR voice through shooting more photos than you thought was possible. Aim to be different, not better than everybody else. Be brutal in your edit. Put forward only your best work around the the things you actually want to get paid to shoot. Break all the rules here too. And again, you’ll be mistaken 50% of the time, but you gotta take your swings to hit anything at all. Don’t forget, the DOING is the only thing that matters here too. What you THINK is nice, but it counts for zilch, zero, nada. Action wins.
5. Repeat.
Straight forward.. and hard work good post
check, check ,check, check – chase says im pro -its true and its final. haha heck yea – Ill have a beer to that.
Really straight to the point! Loved every bit of it. Action wins!
Thanks Chase for sharing these thoughts. Inspiring and encouraging.
My favorite part is: “Understand the rules. Because if you fail at the business part, if you can’t SUSTAIN this business, you’re not a pro.” I would to print it and hang in front of my eye on my desk
so i can see it everyday.
best,
Khaled
Nice post Chase, I’m good at some points but not on all of them, only 16yrs old yet so I’ll work on it
I would ad : make a constant effort to not let the business part of it damage the creative/artistc side.Also everyday stuff like taxes and payments.Real creativity killers.Thanks Chase!
Hells yeah. Now i’m pitching some lookbooks to the local designers here. I’m not holding back anymore!
Actually, the only thing I needed to be a professional photographer was paying customers.
Repeat as necessary.
Good things to keep in mind… Thanx!
He left out the step about being born rich.
Yo, XXX. Contrary to popular belief, you can actually go places by working hard and being exceptional at your craft—whether that’s as a photographer, a cobbler, a golfer, a welder or a ________ …
Being born into wealth doesn’t give you the drive to succeed. That’s in you, bro. (Or not.)
haha. Just saw this post broadcast on G+ Chase. I thought, cool. perfect timing after my email. Then I saw the first line when i started reading it. Very cool indeed. Thanks for the info and the response.
“Action wins”! So true. Thanks for the simple and super truthful post. I’m gonna pimp this for ya!! XXX – I was not born rich and I am making it as a full time pro. I still need to work on pimping only the type of work I want to be hired for, that’s a daily struggle.
Chase 5 steps seems to be much about head and mind, but what about heart? I can not image Chase being in the industry only for the money, only. I believe that heart an love and lust for the things you/we all do is 50% or more of the reason of success.
You have good points on this article! So I’ll declare myself as a pro from now on.
Would you recommend any specific books? That would be helpful, thank you.
I think Chase has told which book: “Read every book you can find at the library” – so oder at amazon, in the book shop at the corner or goto the library instead of waisting your time in front of the monitor and remember to leave your business cards at the counter
Regarding the sharing part. In todays age, social media is the tool of choice to share/pimp images. However, who are you sharing with? I am a hobbyist. I follow other photographers whether they are a “pro” or not. Other photographers follow me. I cannot offer a photographer a well paid gig.
The question is, how can one get their images viewed by the people who are in a position to offer a gig or employment?
Find out who those people are and send it to them, call them, email them, etc. Like any business, you build a marketing plan and market to the people that really matter.
I know it’s blunt but that’s what you do.
First, I want to say I almost watched the entire LIVE episode yesterday, and you did a great job playing nice with the other kids on the playground. It’s always tough when you’ve got two leaders like yourself and the head of another photography company working together to mesh two similar but different creative visions. You collaborated, mixed and matched then glued it all together. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
On your post:
Great advice. I disagree with the student part though. I believe you’re always a student (In the most general sense) first, and you choose what you learn second. Gaining knowledge about life and all of it’s intricacies, not just photography, is SUPER vital.
That said, I get the emotion you were putting behind that statement and the overwhelming and consuming drive you’ve got to have to follow your passion.
Thanks for sharing! Off to take some awesome arial shots from a glider over the Everglades!
GoPro Hero+D7000=one badass weekend!
Keep inspiring and sharing.
-Chase
Awesome article. Thanks Chase. A question for Chase or anyone reading my comment – recommendations on any good photographer book to read like Chase mentioned?
I’d say that it’s way more important to understand the history of photography, shoot all the time, understand the segment you want to enter (it’s impossible to be relevant to everyone), ready about the rules but don’t rush in to declaring yourself a pro. Sometimes it works better for people to get a year under their belt to do the heavy promo. You might regret that work that you started out with. Also, if you are currently a hobbyist then understand that you’ll change the way you think about it once it’s a business. You have to really love photography to survive that jump. I don’t think you should declare yourself a photographer until you’ve shot a ton. Keep it a serious hobby until you’ve studied and shot long enough to call yourself a pro.
supertrue
all good points and have most points ticked (besides the business bank account, as its only me i havent felt the need yet)
think though one important step is contacts. far to often i see people who’s work isn’t great at all who shoot magazines or (cheap) commercials and 80% of the time its because they know someone in that business or got the right connections.
moritz
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http://www.mostphotography.blogspot.com
Great article! Straight to the point, no BS. Thanks Chase for your words of wisdom.
“What you THINK is nice, but it counts for zilch, zero, nada. Action wins.” DAMN RIGHT. It’s what separates the pro’s from the flakes who will never be pro’s.
Some great advice, and I think it’s important to enjoy the work you do, and do the work you were born to do. It makes it so much easier!
YAY! Now we can all be pro-photographers!!
The five steps are a few steps short of reality. One needs a good SLR or DSLR, several lenses, and alternative lighting. Plus knowing how to use the equipment. Also, the photographer will need business insurance to protect against failure to perform clients written expectations and liability insurance. Insuring the equipment is optional but why take a chance. Reading books is great, but it is better to go out and shoot everyday, write down a log of the settings, and learn how adjust to different conditions.
those this mean, going to school to get a degree is not that important? just wondering because school isn’t a option right now
Completely agree as I have implemented these stems and had success. I registered my business while at University, presented myself as a photographer (not a student) and ended up paying for my last two years of school from photography revenue alone. It only grew from there after graduation. And yes… read, study and shoot like mad and you’ll be there in no time.
This is a great post really just puts a spotlight on if you work hard at anything you can be whatever you choose, the problem with anything that looks glamorous most people only want to drive past the hard work stage. Great reminder for me and many others I’m sure. Thanks Chase!!
Kerry-James.Com
I so much love your style, attitude and knowl
What I was basically trying to say above was great post! Action is it. Simple. Thanks Chase.
Your No. 1 is right on. First thing I did once I committed to being a photographer was to declare myself a professional photographer. The second thing I did was to write a business plan. More businesses fail because of lack of a business plan or a flawed business plan. We plan our vacation, we know where we are going, where we are staying, when we are leaving, and how we are getting there. But when it comes to starting a business most people don’t make a plan. Write it down. Do the financials, tweak as your business evolves. Re-examine once a year or more often if needed. It is the most important aspect of being successful. Shoot all you want, without a plan you will not reach your full potential.
#5 X1 million
Great advice as always Chase. I believe this can be applied to most things in life, but not everything. The question I’m constantly asking myself is where do I want to be?
I know exactly, but It’s getting there! It frustrates the hell out of me. That feeling of it bottling up all those ideas and aspirations in side you. The difficulty of putting it all in to play and just doing it, I think that it comes down to circumstances. When is the perfect time to release the create beast we all have inside of us?
I’m not a pessimist by any means, It’s that doubt and feeling of failure that scares most. Sometimes I sit down outside in my garden thinking about what next. I’m 26, to me that’s the wrong side of 25 to be in a position i’m in now. My heart’s there, with ideas and passion oozing. Looking up to sky, constantly wishing I could end my 9 until 5 so I could follow my dreams. I’m the only one that can make this happen.
Everyone need to ask themselves… Am I ready to take the first step? There are major factors beyond the title “Declare yourself a photographer.”
Going back to the topic of discussion, I love the attitude and the post you put up on the blog. They’re ever so inspiring.
Thank you Chase,
Sam
oh geez, this is going to be work isn’t it……..
Well said Chase, I would invert the order though, starting from n. 4 to n. 1; and according to what photography you want to do, being prepared to do a lot of networking and knocking on doors, you don’t get clients sitting on your chair!
Jack Nicklaus once said that his best golf shots were probably not that much better than the best shots of an avid amateur. But, his worst shots were a lot better than the worst shots of amateurs. I think of pro photographers as being able to get a really good capture every time they click the button. As an amateur, my hit rate of shots that I would want to show someone else is maybe 10%. Would love to hear what others believe their hit rates to be.
Hey Glenn, for me the “hit rate” is different based on the work I’m doing. If it’s event work, I might keep 25%, but the definition of “keeper” in those shoots is super loose.
A bit higher up the chain, I usually have a handful of images that capture any given shoot in a way that meets my level of expectation and that of my clients. These images might represent 1% of the images in the shoot. (This is the number that starts to rise as you hone your craft.)
However, for an image that I’d put in my portfolio (i.e. a photograph that accurately represents my eye, creativity and technical ability), that’s a totally different deal. I’m fairly new to photography as part of my profession, but of all the thousands of images I’ve taken, I might have 30-40 that rise to that level of critique.
Great advice, with “one” exception. You “don’t” have to be in business for yourself to BE a professional photographer. You can “actually” work for someone else. Imagine that
Shouldn’t the first step be to ask why?
Great post! These are pretty much the steps I take and I’m adding as I go. And I never forget to repeat!
Not sure about pimping your photos from go. Maybe I’d add an extra step: Learn how to critique your photos.
Thank goodness there wasn’t a Facebook around to bore everyone with my terrible photos while I was still learning.
What stupid advice, what is it shampoo??
Bravo and very good advice. I have read a few blogs and the information about going pro will make you cringe, if it were correct that is.
You make me “Beleive it” Thanks, Steve
Exactly what I needed to hear. Number 1 and 2, so important…while I am technically still a “student” I need to get rid of this attitude and start viewing myself as a pro if I’m going to get anywhere. Thanks for the motivation Chase!
Nice bro!
Super dig Simple.
That’s what a lot of peeps need.
Cheers,
Rick
Keep in a good frame of mind…
hopefully that goes without saying. it’s essential for life!
As an entrepreneur I couldn’t agree more with what you posted. I believe that hard work, persistence and the ability to never give up while following your dream is where its at.
Kind Regards,
Todd.
You aren’t a pro until you are doing what you need to do to make a living at it. The joy of photography is for amateurs.
You are absolutely right Chase. Today, it means nothing if the work is awful. The only thing that really matters is that you are in business. And with a brand new photographer on every city block, the important part is the marketing.
Leave it to Chase to be a man of few words yet those words have a resounding impact.
Love the fact that the picture is a man in drag spoofing your other image.
If your life is ever incline to make picture images or just be awesome at something and you hate the self improvement kind of speeches, just follow/read Chase. He makes you go achieve stuff without being annoying.
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This is great! An associate shared this with me this morning on Facebook. Impressive.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!
I’ve been having a mini existential realisation over the last few months. I’ve been into photography as a hobby for the last ten years, worked as a company photographer for a year and all of a sudden I just didn’t see the point in photography anymore.
People have been on at me to start my own business but I’m disenfranchised by the sheer amount of “soccer moms” who’s husbands have just bought them a brand new camera and now they think they’re… Chase Jarvis… and they advertise themselves for photoshoots and have the guts to charge for it.
This post was very encouraging, I love photography, I’m half decent at it too. I’ll read this every day till I get my arse back in to gear.
Thanks Chase
I think these steps apply to most work related endeavors. I wasn’t really a web designer/developer until I started telling people that is what I am.
I think step #6 would be to work your ass off.
I BELIEVE in SYNCHRONICITY, HAPPENSTANCE, ETC.ETC…… therefore i threw the question out this morning as i sipped on my cup of joe, looking at this new nikon d7000 thinking to myself, CHASE JARVIS CREATES WONDERS WITH THIS LITTLE MACHINE!!! WHICH I DONT EVEN KNOW A THING ABOUT ! “should i return it? GO BACK TO CANON (which was an easy to use camera ) NO THATS THE EASY ROAD……I THEN WENT ON TO QUESTION MY WANTS FROM MY NEEDS TO” IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME? SHOULD I JUST GO BACK TO THE ZOMBIE WORLD OF 9-5, HIDDEN IN SOME DUNGEON CALLED AN OFFICE, THAT SOUNDS JUST ABOUT SAFE….. am i too old to start in this business? will i even make it in this field? WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN, IM A STUDENT AT 35, OH GOD DID I SAY THAT ALOUD!!! …..YADDA,YADDA, YADDA…BY THE TIME I FINISH PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL , I WILL HAVE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, SUCH AS AGE, SO MUCH FOR P.O.V! …..NO, BUT WAIT!!! PHOTOGRAPHY IS MY PASSION, MY DRIVE, THE ONE THING THAT MAKES ME FEEL ALIVE MOSTLY SANE, MY THERAPIST, I FORGET ALL THINGS WHEN IN TRANCE , SHOOTING AWAY FROM DUSK TILL DAWN , OVERTIME IS NO ISSUE ITS OFTEN ABUSED DOING WHAT YOU LOVE…….AS I SHIFT FROM THIS LIFE CHANGING DECISION AND RANT A WHILE LONGER …… I USED A SKILLFUL TECHNIQUE IN ZEN TRADITION AND SHUT MY THOUGHTS AND DOUBTS ALL TOGETHER……………WHEN it just so happened i landed on this page and had an EPIPHANY……..AND REALIZED ITS BEEN IN FRONT OF ME ALL ALONG……THANKS, YOUR SIMLPLE MESSAGE WAS DEFINITELY AN AFFIRMATION…………..I WILL GO GET A BUSINESS LICENCE , STOP CALLING MYSELF A STUDENT, READ MY PANTS OFF FURTHER, AND PIMP MY PICTURES ONLINE, SOMETHING I HAVE NOT DONE………THANKS MAN! NOW IMA GO SIP A BEER!! CHEERS!
Where is the part about being a good photographer?
Reading books about business instead of looking at art? Solid fuckin step lol
I what to be a photographer so bad.I am 11 years old but I am planning early.I work hard and I always get straight As on report cards.
do you have any tips?