How to become a Photographer

Taking great photos is a favourite pastime for many but making money from taking photos is another thing altogether. If you are looking to become a professional photographer in Australia, there are several important steps you need to take. From pursuing the right education to understanding the business side of photography, this guide will walk you through what it takes to get started as a successful photographer in Australia.

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‍Step 1: Get a university degree in photography

The first step to becoming a professional photographer is to complete a bachelor’s degree in photography. This will provide you with the skills necessary for success in the field. Additionally, many schools offer courses that specialise in specific areas of photography such as portrait, wedding, digital and film photography, photojournalism, portrait and commercial photography, and fine art photography. By taking these classes, you will gain valuable insight into how the industry works and learn about different techniques that can help improve your craft.

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‍Step 2: Complete an internship

After completing your degree, you’ll want to gain further experience in the field. To achieve this, try and secure a position as an intern with a professional photographer or studio. Internships can provide you with the opportunity to learn about the business side of photography as well as the technical aspects of taking photos. Internships also offer the opportunity to network with fellow photographers; not only giving you access to valuable knowledge, but also opportunities that you can use for collaborations down the line.

Step 3: Learn how to sell your photos

In addition to learning how to take great photos, it’s also important that photographers understand basic business practices when it comes to running their own photography business. Photographers who plan on selling their work online or through stock sites need to understand how licensing works. There is always the risk that without proper process, you may give away the rights to photos you have taken without being compensated fairly for them. Additionally, having basic marketing knowledge is important so photographers can promote their services effectively.

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‍Step 4: Start your own business

If you choose to start your own business, you will need to register for an ABN, purchase your camera equipment, get insurance and start promoting your services. Additionally, you will need to create a business plan and marketing strategy so that you can hit the ground running. Once you start securing paid work, you’ll also need a way to manage your finances. Thriday is perfect for photographers who love their craft, but hate doing financial admin. Thriday automates banking, accounting and tax so that you don’t need to think about tax again.

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Step 5: Streamline financial admin

Thriday is changing accounting and tax for photographers by simplifying the process of tax compliance. The platform uses advanced technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate tax filing, including sorting income and expenses, monitoring GST, and producing reports for tax calculations. This automation reduces the time and errors associated with manual record-keeping, freeing up photographers to focus on their work. You can sign up for Thriday today. To learn how much money Thriday can save you on bookkeeping and accounting, take this quick quiz to see how much money you can save.

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Becoming a professional photographer is a fun job that could see you traveling to exotic destinations and capturing moments that make your jaw drop. By pursuing education and training related specifically to photography, understanding basic business practices such as contracts and copyright laws, staying updated on trends in the industry, networking with fellow professionals, and establishing yourself as an expert by marketing yourself properly, you’ll be well on your way towards starting your career as a successful photographer in Australia.