Best plan for an aspiring freelance photographer

Question

This is a question solely for working professional photographers, or to those who do freelance work in a creative oriented field.

I have been taking photos since i was 12, but once out of high school i chose to pursue a degree in film production.

After a year i knew it just wasn't for me, so i found a nice little school that had photography as an AAS degree. Through 2.5 years, you learn mainly technical skills that culminate in a semester long portfolio development class that gets you started into the photography business.

Thats all well and good, and even though i was decent when i started, only a year in and i see an exponential growth in skills, so I'm not doubting the effectiveness of the program, as many have graduated and started very successful careers, some at a national level.

My question though is this enough? I have little to no business/entrepreneurial experience, so my thoughts were to transfer to a larger school to receive a degree in something like business to help out my money management/marketing skills/

To any working professionals out there, what would you say is a good path to take. There are always the Joey Lawrence stories or the Chase Jarvis', photographers with little or no training that made it big, but for the rest of us, and those who could care less if were shooting celebrities, whats a good background to be able to work as a freelancer? The specific field would be Commercial Photography, as in ad work or similar.

I know this question warrants an answer that is highly subjective, however any guidance, or perhaps the story of how you did it, is highly appreciated.

For reference, this is my site http://spencerherford.jimdo.com/

Answer 1

I cannot speak specifically on the freelance photography, but from a business standpoint you do have a valid idea.

Being a good photographer does not make you a good business owner. Making beautiful, artistic images with a camera has nothing to do with filing taxes, paying bills, and managing money.

I know there are many photographers out there, especially the more successful ones that you learn about in art classes and see their books on coffee tables, who usually have someone manage the "business" while they manage the "art."

I wouldn't think that taking some courses in business would be a bad idea at all if you plan to run the business entirely yourself. Which in the beginning you almost have to since you won't have money to hire anybody to do it for you.

My wife handles most of the business side for me. The other photographer at the newspaper I work has a good mind for business and money and does very well handling it on his own.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 2

develop a niche, network, do some courses on marketing yes yes, i did the study then sold cameras, then did my army service, then sold cameras again, then taught english, all that time i was building networks and doing jobs here and there,

start calling yourself a photographer when you meet people, start marketing now, get some business schooling also - yes

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