People come to the business of photography for a variety of reasons and through different pathways.
As you get older you see things more clearly and your approach to the business changes.
At some point we all wish we could go back in time and tell our younger selves how to avoid mistakes we made in our younger years.
In that regard photography is no different and the mistakes of youth are surprisingly consistent.
Don't Fixate On Cameras If you've spent any time on camera forums you know that cameras get all the attention.
People spend endless hours agonizing over the difference between a 16.
1-megapixel camera and an 18-megapixel camera.
It's all nonsense.
The right camera is the one you can afford without going into debt.
A skilled photographer is like a mercenary in that they can pick up any camera and get fantastic photos out of it.
Lighting Lighting Lighting If you're going to spend endless hours agonizing over anything, agonize over lighting.
Thirst for knowledge about strobe power settings, reflective index, lamp hours, lighting styles, light ratios, metering, shading, gels and the difference between a softboxes and umbrellas.
Photographers are artists who paint with light.
Lighting is probably the least sexy, least interesting facet of photography and yet one of the most important.
Take the money you saved not buying that ridiculously high end camera and sink it into strobes, softboxes and kickers.
Learn About Running a Business Running any successful business is hard and running a successful photography business is harder than most.
Taking amazing pictures is only one facet of becoming a successful photographer.
The most important quality is being able to sell your photography skills to potential clients.
Always remember that nearly 85 percent of people new to the business of photography will be in a different line of work within three years.
What separates the survivors from the drop outs is not their skill as photographers and definitely not whether they bought a 16.
1-megapixel camera or an 18-megapixel camera, it's being able to bring enough paying work to make ends meet.
Always Carry Insurance It's absolutely crazy to show up at a paying job and not be covered against liability in case something goes wrong or being able to replace equipment that gets stolen.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs for photographers would be air, food, water, shelter and insurance, in that order.
Make Time To Hang Out With Other Photographers Always make time to meet regularly with a local photography guild or photo club.
Spend time with other photographers and help them on projects, even if you're not always getting paid for it.
Hire a second shooter any time you can afford it and pay your models whenever you can.
In the lone wolf industry of photography, everyone needs help at some point.
You'll get sick or have an accident, an emergency will crop up.
The relationships you spend time building before disaster strikes are what will get you through those bad times.
If you have a reputation of being a selfish jerk, no one is going to lift a finger to help you when you're in need.
Other photographers are your competition, but they're also your lifeline.
Remember that when they're sick or hurt and can't work.