What do you need to study, if you want to become a photographer?

Question

I want to become a photographer when I grow up, but I don't know what to study. Also, can you tell me how much they earn a year? (In Australian dollars please)

Answer 1

what kind?

photojournalism? - they make their money by selling photos to newspapers and magazines

nature photography/art photography - they make their money usually by selling photos for display, whether to a private home buyer, or an art gallery. usually bush, ocean or landscape shots

fashion/product photography? - are hired by companies to take photos in a studio, endorsing the product.

portrait photography? often combined with art/nature photography, these photographers do things like family portraits, modeling shots, or event photography.

ur income will vary depending on what you do - eg, work for a certain company, start your own photography buisness, work freelance, work for a newspaper etc

Answer 2

Focus your studies on business, sales, marketing and accounting, it is business skills that determines whether a photographer is  a success or not.  Most photographers are self employed so how much one makes is  determined by how much they work.  

http://content.mycareer.com.au/salary-ce...

Answer 3

Well, of course, you'll need to study photography... also fundamentals of design, photoshop, and business courses.

The pay varies.

Answer 4

You need some classes in business, art and photography.

How much you earn is based upon a number of things.  The field you choose can be a determination.  Medical and scientific photographers will make less than some magazine staffers, but not necessarily

The high end of the spectrum would be the ones that shoot for advertising agencies and have studios in the major markets ... all at a price ... one of my colleagues working in New York as to generate over a million USD before he makes a cent for his own families welfare.

To know for sure in your area, contact some of the professional organizations in Australia and attend some meetings, networking with successful pros.

Here in the States, NPPA (National Press Photographers Association) and ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) are active with professional shooters, assistants and students.  I am sure there are similar organizations in your country.

Until you start a program toward gaining the skills you need to be a pro, connect with some of the pros in your area and ask to do some assisting.  Something as simple as cleaning up the studio, organizing the equipment after a shoot, helping with the lighting setups, painting the backgrounds after a shoot ... all the routine chores.