Beginner Photographer Tips

When starting out as a photographer, there are some key things that you need to know before embarking on your photography journey. So, I'm going to share with you five tips on how to get started:

1.) FIND A CAMERA THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS

This is very important because once you find a camera that works best for you, it's going to be with you for a very long time. As a beginner photographer, it's not ideal to buy more than one camera starting out. Mastering ONE camera first is your main objective. As an example, I started with the Nikon D5200. This digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera is specifically designed for beginner photographers. One of its greatest features is that it works very well in environments where there is low lighting (e.g. fashion shows, theatres, etc). I would definitely recommend this camera for learning the basics of photography.

*Side Note: You can also rent out cameras, which is cheaper, but it's better to have something personal that belongs to you. I'll talk about renting equipment in another blog.*

2.) LEARN BASIC PHOTO EDITING SKILLS

This is something every beginner photographer needs in his/her repertoire, especially if you plan to start taking on paid gigs. The two most important photo editing skills that you should learn are how to clean up cuts/bruises, bumps, skin discoloration, etc and the use of color correction. I promise you that doing so will help you enhance your work. I learned the basics of photo editing using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, including Nik Software Collection. However, there are

plenty of photo editing programs out there for you to choose from, so don't be afraid to try a few out.

3.) BECOME A "PEOPLE PERSON"

This will take you very far as a beginner photographer. In the photography industry, you have to break out of being "extremely" shy -- no ifs, ands, or buts. Without having the ability to be around people, let alone talk to them, you can miss out on a lot of good business and networking opportunities. For some, this will take time to work on, but at some point you have to be at a certain level of comfortability with people in order to be successful in this career field.

4.) KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL

This is the most significant of them all for beginner photographers. It's crucial to always be professional when advertising your business, conducting business with others, and with the way that you carry yourself. Whenever you are out at events or doing business/a job, always be confident, passionate and business-minded (and of course, friendly). In this line of work, you will encounter people that will try to talk down your price(s), degrade you if they are unsatisfied with your service(s) in any way, etc; but you still have to keep it professional. Character and having integrity means everything. This will help you land future jobs and open up many doors along the way.

5.) DRESS TO IMPRESS

The final piece of the puzzle for beginner photographers. What you decide to wear to an event or a job will certainly have an impact on your experience as a photographer. Whether I'm attending an event, job or business affair, I always make sure to wear something nice and smell good. Plus, it's important that I put on a comfortable pair of shoes so that I am able to move around easily and stay on my feet without them hurting. Believe it or not, when you dress the part, it makes you more approachable to people and it can give you a confidence boost when perusing others. That is what you want as a photographer.

Well, I hope that these five tips will help you on your way to becoming a great photographer!

This is Keo...I'll see you guys on the next blog!