Photography For Profit

There are ways for an amateur photographer toadvice is the ASMP Professional Business Practices
get recognition and financial reward and that's byin Photography, 6th edition, published by the
selling photographs. Publications are always in theAmerican Society of Media Photographers, Inc..
market for appropriate photographs, colour orCopies are available at some bookstores and
black and white. The major national andcamera stores or directly from ASMP.
international magazines usually pay the best ratesIf you are thinking about becoming a professional
for pictures. But they are the most difficult to sellphotographer, it's also worthwhile to read
because you have competition from staffmagazines published for the pros and their special
photographers and professional free-lancers whointerests. Among them is the newsy Photo
are hired on a regular basis.District news, which covers everything from
Fortunately, many regional, specialty, andstock and advertising photography to digital
company magazines, as well as area newspapers,imaging. It's available by subscription and is also
are glad to have colour transparencies or prints,sold by some camera stores, bookstores and
or black and white prints submitted for publication.newsstands.
Payment can range from only a photo credit lineOne way to start on the road to a photographic
mentioning your name to a check for hundreds ofcareer is to take informal portraits of friends and
dollars. Contact the publications and ask for aother people. You can improve your camera skills
copy of their guidelines for submittingwhile making enough money to cover the cost of
photographs.film and prints. However, until you achieve a state
The most valuable source for finding publicationsof proficiency and confidence in your work, be
that buy photographs is Photographer's Market, acareful that your subjects don't expect a more
book that is updated and published annually byprofessional result than you can deliver.
Writer's Digest Books. It describes hundreds ofWhenever money is involved, make certain your
publications, including their addresses and telephonesubjects know how much you will charge them
numbers, the types of pictures they use, rates offor photographs. And be sure that they
pay and the name of the photo editor or artunderstand you expect payment upon delivery of
director to whom you should submit your photos.the pictures. Although people are always anxious
Copies of this exceptional photo market guide areto see the finished prints, once the photographs
available at libraries and bookstores. Be certain toare in their hands they often are in no hurry to
use only the current year's edition, becausepay you; let them know you expect to be paid
publications frequently change their pictureimmediately.
requirements.Many times recognition and payment act as
Pictures bought for advertising rather than editorialstimulants toward making you a photographer.
use pay the most money. However, use of aWell-known photographer Philippe Halsman, whose
photo in an advertisement requires model releasesportraits were featured on more than 100 Life
signed by all recognizable persons. These releasesmagazine covers, put it this way, "I drifted into
give the photographer permission to use thephotography like one drifts into prostitution. First I
photograph and help avoid any subsequentdid it to please myself, then I did it to please my
lawsuits by persons in the picture. Advertisersfriends and eventually I did it for money".
may also require property release if a building orRegardless of your specific interest or goals, the
other identifiable property is prominent in themore you photograph, the more your
picture. Standard release forms are sold at manyphotographs will improve. Start making
camera stores; carry some in your camera bag inphotographs, then keep making better
case you come across a subject you think mightphotographs. And most of all, enjoy your
eventually be sold to an advertiser.photography.
One of the best publications with down to earth