Even though cameras are now easily accessible to everyone through smartphones, not everyone can capture photography better. Therefore, people who need quality photographs for their events and other special occasions will still rely on the services of professional photographers.
That said, photography is an art form. While everyone can simply capture a photo using their phones, not everyone can be successful in photography. It takes time, patience, dedication, and the right set of skills. If you want to pursue photography and be successful in your craft, then here are the 6 essential skills for a photographer you should have:
1. Technical Skills
Needless to say, if you want to pursue a photography career, you should first master the skills that are needed for the trade. One of them is technical skills when it comes to using and understanding your equipment. This would include knowing the functions of your specific camera, learning proper composition, finding the perfect exposure control, and more. You’ll also have to learn how to use and even modify lighting to your advantage.
There are successful photographers who’re able to learn these skills on the job while there are some who learn from photography classes and tutorials. You can choose which of the two you want to pursue, or you can even choose to take both at once. Just keep in mind that learning these skills will be a lifelong process, especially since new photography gear gets introduced into the market now and then. As such, you’ll have to learn what these new devices have to offer and so on.
2. A Good Eye
Good photography isn’t something that suddenly happens. It will require you to have a good eye, and this means being able to take a good look at a scene from a different perspective that will make the output interesting and engaging to the viewers. For this, you’ll have to size up an event and try to think about how you can make a worthwhile photo out of it.
Apart from that, you should also frame every scene as effectively as possible. Will it be a lot better if you take a closeup of your subject? Or will it be perfect to take a shot showing your subject interacting with the surroundings? Which angle, shutter speed, and depth you should shot at? Is there enough lighting, or should you need an additional one?
Countless questions like this will come to mind when you start taking up photography. However, as someone who wants to be successful someday as a photographer, you’ll have to keep on practicing until all of the rules of photography become second nature.
3. Post-Processing Skills
Good photography isn’t just centered around taking a good picture with proper lighting, exposure, and composition. A lot of images normally go through enhancements or editing using image editing software like Adobe Lightroom. If you want to be successful in your photography career, you should also learn post-processing or visual editing as part of your skills.
There are plenty of applications out there that can help you achieve that, and Lightroom is just one of them. Also, you should regularly update your knowledge of these applications as new updates are rolled out now and then.
4. Communication Skills
Good communication skills are invaluable when it comes to a photography career. The ability to communicate properly with people and talk about their backgrounds and interests is an important soft skill you should learn to become a successful photographer. This would involve being genuine and interested in other’s stories. You’d be surprised to learn how much it can benefit you, not to mention it can also give you an idea as to how you can plan your shots.
5. Confidence Skills
There are lots of freelance photographers who tend to sell themselves short. In most cases, they will agree to cover a wedding for free despite actually needing the income they can get from it. Some will even adjust their prices when clients try to haggle.
However, as far as your photography career goes, you should be able to build confidence in your work and don’t sell yourself short. Devote yourself to improving your photography skills and nurturing your confidence. This way, you’ll be confident enough to decline any offer to work for free or even negotiate with a customer who tries to haggle when you know you deserve that compensation for the amount of work you’ve done.
6. Marketing and Networking Skills
Of course, if you want to get more clients for your photography career, you’ll have to get the word out about your services. As a photographer, you should also develop marketing skills, and this can be achieved by devoting a few hours each day to marketing your services.
You can start by promoting them on social media platforms. You could join photography groups on Facebook that allow you to post photography services or set up your page to eventually get followers who will perhaps hire you someday. This will also mean you have to share your professionally captured images on your page so that people will be able to see the quality of your work.
Aside from Facebook, you should also consider making an Instagram page for your photography services. This will help you gain more exposure and even connect with even more photography professionals and potential clients.
Aside from marketing, you also need to learn networking skills. Through networking, you’ll be able to meet other professionals in the same industry who will possibly help you find more offers and even referrals along the way.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the 6 essential skills for a photographer you should learn and master to succeed in your photography career. Do keep in mind that mastering these skills will take time, hence you have to devote yourself to learning and practicing them regularly. As soon as you’re able to master these skills, your dream of achieving success in the fairly competitive photography industry won’t be so far off.