Question : Professional Photographer?
I am interested in becoming a professional photographer and would like to know a couple of things (preferably from people in the biz).

1.) Why did you go into photography and do you feel forfilled?

2.) Did you go to school for it, which one, and did it help?

3.) Do you believe online classes would work?

4.) How long have you been in the biz?

and

5.) Do you have your own studio?
professional photographer

Best answer:

Answer by Jim M
Although I’ve been a serious – and pretty good – photographer for more than 40 years, I only made it my “profession” in the past ten years or so.

Do I feel fulfilled by it? Absolutely! That’s why I’m doing it exclusively now. I’m a grownup, and i choose to do those things – and ONLY those things – that are rewarding and that make me happy.

I’ve taken lots of classes – mostly in a junior college photo program (one of the best in the country!). but until fairly recently I was self taught. I also taught Digital Imaging (photography and Photoshop) in a university art department for several years.

Today, in addition to doing custom restorations, imaging for artists, and tutoring, I run a teaching website, and two commercial sites where I sell my work.

I have no opinion about online classes – but I do know that photography is about doing it, not about studying it. You can learn the basics … you MUST learn the basics! … from many sources. But applying them, using them, experimenting with them, and studying your results … that’s what’s going to make you a good photographer.

And your last question … Do I have my own studio? Well, yes. But it’s not the typical type of commercial workplace or storefront, because I don’t do that sort of photography – weddings, portraits, etc.

Actually it’s a little barn-like building sitting in the backyard of my house in Pensacola, FL. There’s a picture of it on my flick sit if you’d like to see it. http://www.flickr.com/grimitz

Good luck with your endeavours. Do it with love, and you’ll succeed.