What Skills Are Required of a Photographer?

A career in event photography gives you the chance to meet interesting people, witness compelling events and tell important stories. Event photographers capture events such as weddings, concerts, conferences and religious ceremonies. Because they typically work with candid images rather than relying on a studio setting, many event photographers adopt a photojournalistic style. The industry is a competitive one, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average photographer makes less than $30,000 per year. It's possible for skilled, in-demand photographers to make much more, though, so honing your skills early is important.

Proper Training

• While you might have some innate talent, good photography is a learned skill. Take advantage of every opportunity to improve your skills. A college major in photography or journalism can help you learn the basics of how to work a camera and choose the right image, but there's no substitute for real-world training. Apprentice under a skilled event photographer or intern with a photography business. If you live in an area where these options are not available, shoot events for free so you can learn how to use your camera and select the perfect image. Even photographing family reunions can help you master the basics.

The Right Equipment

• No matter how good you are with a camera, your images won't look professional and polished without the right camera. Most professional photographers use digital single lens reflex cameras, known as DSLR digital cameras. These cameras allow you to change out the lenses to get the right image, and generally don't rely on flashes. You'll also need artificial lighting to eliminate shadows outdoors and provide sufficient lighting indoors. If you plan to photograph staged event photos, you may also want large canvas backdrops. The specific brand of camera and lighting you use isn't important. The key is to find a camera you like and that you can easily use, while selecting the highest quality option you can afford.

Additional Gear

• You may be capturing large groups on film, so a wide-angle lens is a must. You'll also need a bounce flash to compensate for any inadequate lighting. Anyone working with flashes should carry a flash diffuser in their equipment bag. It may seem like a small thing, but make sure you carry extra memory cards. There are few things more unprofessional than running out of space for images before the job is finished. You may consider a telephoto zoom lens a luxury, but in will come in handy if you want to isolate a subject, such as a bride making the rounds through a crowd of well-wishers.

Build Your Portfolio

• To sell potential clients and employers on your expertise, create a compelling portfolio of professional-looking images. Join your college or high school newspaper as a photographer to build your portfolio during your training years. After you graduate, consider working for free or at a steep discount to build your portfolio. If your grandmother is planning a college reunion, your best friend is getting married or your mother is hosting a big family get-together, seize these opportunities to snap photos for your portfolio.

Find a Job

• A post-graduation internship can help you ease into employment, or offer to be a backup shooter for other local photographers. Newspapers sometimes hire photographers to cover local and national events, and a few large corporations hire event photographers on a full-time basis. Network with other photographers and attend photography conferences to help you get in touch with people who may eventually hire you.To reach a wide audience, display your work on sites like Zenfolio. cheap prom dresses

Develop Post-Production Skills

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most photographers do their own post-production. This work may include adjusting the lighting and color of photos, editing out background noise, and editing your subjects to make them look better. A class on digital photo editing coupled with a high-quality photo editing program can help you turn good photos into excellent ones.

Address Legal Issues

• To protect yourself from personal liability for damaged property, unsatisfactory pictures and other challenges, consider incorporating your business by registering with your state's Secretary of State. Clearly worded contracts can help set clear expectations and protect you if a client is unsatisfied. Address the amount of time you'll spend at the event, the amount of the deposit, the cost and nature of any photo post-production, and whether the client has the option to cancel prior to the event. If you're shooting a private or secret event, you may also need to sign or draft a non-disclosure agreement.

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