Comments on: 10 Attributes Professional Photographers Need to Succeed

By: Lisa Lees

Lisa Lees — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:35:13 +0000

As a newly qualified and recently employed photographer, I found this post very helpful and informative, and even point 4 hasn’t put me off! Although I have a part-time photography job, I am also setting up a small studio so that I can start doing solo work. I still attend college and intend to continue on that path for the next couple of years at least. Passion and commitment are, I think, the two attributes that one needs in abundance; I am juggling work, studying and family life, but with one key ingredient – my husband’s total support, both emotionally and practically. Real support is a must and I would not be able to realise my dream of being a professional photographer without it.

By: SSB GERA

SSB GERA — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:21:48 +0000

Excellent tips, particularly the 4th one and of course the 10th.

By: Matthew Adam

Matthew Adam — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:09:09 +0000

very good tips! our business started up a few years ago from scratch and we are learning all the time.

By: Terry Day

Terry Day — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:15:27 +0000

As a working professional for over 30 years I have to say.. Excellent post! Very helpful for anyone wanting to succeed in this industry.

By: Neal Pritchard

Neal Pritchard — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:42:58 +0000

Very good post. The confidence to promote what you think is a good photograph is my point of focus in the next year

By: selina maitreya

selina maitreya — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:22:26 +0000

I would add, faith, consistency of effort, tenacity, marketing skills,
marketing tools, and more faith!

By: Neill Watson

Neill Watson — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:53:42 +0000

Number 10 is withouit doubt the most important and something that no photo courses ever tell you. I had a 15 year background in specialist cars before becoming a professional photographer in 2002. Without that and some advice from other professionals, I’d never have succeeded.
And selling / marketing is a constant thing, it never goes away and as technologies kill of one market and open another, you need to constantly re-invent yourself.
Paul’s comment about money and a scare tactic has some value, but it’s still scary how modern digital kit is without value in a short time. Film gear used to have a much longer life.

Hope this helps someone!

By: Paul Sveda

Paul Sveda — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:59:53 +0000

I agree with all points, except I think point 4 “Money”. Yes you do need it but how much capital you need can vary. I’ve seen PLENTY of photographers get by with mid range gear that is several years old and a home office all the while using the web (relatively cheap) as a place to show, print and distribute their work.

Your point 4 sounds a little “scare-tactic-y” would be my only concern.

By: Lee Milthorpe

Lee Milthorpe — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:49:34 +0000

That one is a great point, obviously something I take for granted by missing it out but it’s definitely one of the more important things, especially if you plan on doing shoots all over the country. Imagine Attempting to get all that gear on public transport…

By: Jackie Wu aka GeckoKid

Jackie Wu aka GeckoKid — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:12:13 +0000

May I also point out that one would need to learn to drive, that’s what my boss is telling me. For myself, not being able to drive is a massive hindrance as I cannot go to remote places on my own. I went to Galway, Ireland a month or so ago and I had to take a guided bus tour around the country for photos, hence there were a bus full of tourists surrounding me. Good for the first trip, and I was very lucky that the weather was gorgeous. However I do wish I could stay on the cliffs of Moher for a little bit longer.

Of course one could hire a driver but that’s just a little bit too expensive.