1. You have the skills and the passion and your goal is to become a professional photographer?
Unfortunately there is no instruction manual but here are a few tips you may find useful.
1. Passion: Remember why you picked up the camera in the first place? Nurture that
passion, but be aware that should you turn your passion into a full time profession, you
could lose that passion. To prevent your photography from turning into a chore, keep and
nurture your personal projects. They will help keep your passion for the craft alive, no
matter what the commercial side throws your way.
2. Plan: You may start your photography business as a side business while keeping your full
time job – and that’s a smart way to begin. This gives you time to decide if that’s what you
want to do full time, and, more important, you will find out if your work is good enough to
sell. Set a goal for when you want to quit that day job and be a full time photographer and
then work towards that. You can adjust that goal – it’s your goal! And should you decide to
keep photography a hobby, having a plan is how you will discover that.
3. Portfolio: Be discerning when putting your portfolio together. Only show your best work.
Quality over quantity!
4. Rent: Don’t go into debt! In most countries it’s easy to rent specialty lenses for a day, a
week or longer. Get the clients first, buy the gear later.
5. Persistence: No one becomes successful overnight. It takes years to gain experience and
build a good reputation. Be persistent! Remember your plan and your goal. Don’t give up
on your dream at the first rejection, or the second one. You will have good days and bad
days, more bad days than good ones at first. You can sustain your plan and goal if you take
baby steps.
6. Support system: Surround yourself with positive people, especially as you are starting
out. They will support your decision and long term plan to turn your passion into a
profession. Ignore the others and move on!
7. Balance: Chances are you work from home. It’s important to maintain a healthy balance
between your passion for photography and your private life. Both are important to your
overall goal! As for me, I live and breathe in pixels and sometimes that’s all I want to talk
about! But put yourself in the shoes of your family and friends who might support you, but
don’t experience the same passion as you. They will support your love affair with your
camera, but remember they have their own passions, too.
8. Life long learning: Learn, learn and learn some more! As long as you keep clicking that
shutter, you will always be learning. Once you think you know it all, you will stop growing.
Read and educate yourself. Attend seminars and workshops. Stay informed with the latest
technology and embrace it. Mentoring or teaching reinforces your own learning, so be on

2. the watch for those opportunities. The world of photography is changing at the fastest pace
ever, and you don’t want to be left in the dust.
9. People skills: You will get hired when people like your work AND your personality – I
can’t stress that enough! And you will be much happier working with them, too. Commercial
clients have told me how much they prefer working with me because I was approachable
and friendly, easier to work with because their previous photographer was rigid, unfriendly
or inflexible.
10. Business skills: Artists are not generally known for having good, solid business skills. If
you aren’t a natural at accounting or marketing, you can either learn them or hire
professionals for those important tasks – and they are important. If you can’t afford to pay
for those services, maybe trade services at first. If you want to be a photographer full time,
it is both an art and a business and be alert about the areas where you need help.
11. Be yourself: Don’t fake it or try to be someone else – it won’t last and you won’t be
happy. Shoot with your heart and learn from your peers, but don’t copy them. Find your
own style and consistency will follow. One way to discover your own technique is by
expanding your technical knowledge, and your style will follow. Who knows – maybe others
will learn from you one day!
12. Be resourceful: Expect the unexpected and be prepared for it – another reason to keep
learning! And keep working on those personal projects especially in different genres of
photography. Get outside of your comfort zone. The skills you acquire will serve you well on
client shoots and may save your butt some day. Your clients don’t want to see you fumble
with your settings or even scratch your head in self doubt while you practice a new
technique. Plan ahead!
13. Be generous: Share ideas and tips with your peers. Competition can be good! If you’re
good, you’ll get the work – don’t worry. I know so many photographers who are afraid to
network because they are either shy or afraid to share their “secrets,” but all contacts are
useful. Hey, I don’t shoot weddings, but when I get a request to do one, I refer that client to
another photographer. Networking means referrals, but you must give to receive.
14. Be nice: Your best clients are the ones you already have and your potential clients are
their contacts. Treat your clients with respect and professionalism as they are your key to
success. Referrals are the best form of advertising – it’s a cliché because it’s true!
15. Be honest with yourself: Why do you really want to turn pro? Is it to look cool? Is it for
money or fame? Is it gear lust? To impress your friends? For the pure love of the craft?To
teach the art of photography? There is no wrong answer – and it’s okay to want to look cool
and desire fame and fortune – but only when you are honest with yourself about your real

3. intentions will you sustain your plan and reach your goal – and be happy! And should you
chose to keep photography as a passionate hobby instead of a profession, that’s a good
thing, too!
Good luck!
Be generous and share your experience with your peers by adding some tips in the
comment section below.
Best Regards
Zamier Zainuddin.