Five years ago I returned to the world of photography after a 20 year absence. Then I was a struggling-professional photographer. I gave a face to the following type jokes:

Question What s the difference between a professional photographer and a McDonald s family-pack happy meal?

Answer The happy meal can feed a family of four.

I started in photography for the love of it. Eventually, I decided that all I had to do to become a professional photographer was to pass out my business cards and wait for the telephone to ring. I confused my love of photography with success as a professional photographer.

For me, being a professional photographer dampened all of the joy that photography had given me over the years. I took on jobs that weren t challenging or profitable. I didn t take the time to figure out what type of photography offered the most profit for the effort, resources and time investment. I didn t pay attention to where my best potential customers were or how to overdeliver on my services to them. Although I went about operating my professional photography business with all the best of intentions, plans, enthusiasm, and commitment, I had doomed myself to predictable failure. Of course, I recognized this after I ran out of money, enthusiasm and hope. Hindsight is often 20/20.

Now I have returned and my excitement and enthusiasm is even more intense than twenty years ago. The world of photography is exploding in growth and changing almost just as fast. Since I am older now, I should be more mature and better able to make well thought-out and researched business decisions.

The greatest aspect of current photography, for me, is technology. I prefer digital over film. Digital allows me to shoot and practice more than I could with film. Also, I can manipulate the photo to get the best image possible. Technology helps me to find information to help me make business decisions. Technology now helps me to target my potential customers and market specifically to them. Its not a hit and miss marketing exercise.

I found photography books that helped me to focus on a profitable photography niche. Prior to finding the books I had absolutely no concept of what a photography niche was or how important it is to being a successful photographer. There are many very good books about successful photography business. For me, one of the best (after my 20 year absence) was The Business of Studio Photography by Edward R. Lilley. His book kept me from repeating my costly mistakes of the past.

Twenty years ago I had never heard of stock photography. Now, stock photography is where I put most of my scheduled time when I am shooting for business purposes (versus shooting for my love of photography). There are a lot of books about stock photography. Sell and Re-Sell Your Photos and Sellphotos.com both by Rohn Engh, have been two of the best investments that I have ever made. I have a clearer understanding of the business of stock photography and where I fit. Stock photography is experiencing a great deal of change. Some long time stock photographers simply don t like what is happening. Other long time stock photographers welcome the changes and adjust accordingly. Since I am relatively new to stock photography, the changes have little meaning or consequences to me. Author Michal Heron s books How to Shoot Stock Photos That Sell and Pricing Photography were very valuable in broadening my understanding of the stock photography business. The latter book also offers pricing information for assignment photography.

One of the best aspects of the current photography world is technology. I enjoy showing my work. Photography websites allows me to show my work, to supplement my advertising/marketing and to sell my work. I had established a number of photography websites before I found one of the greatest internet freebies for photographers. A site called Proimageguide.com gives fully operational photography websites for free! That s right free! The free photography website has no advertising or popups! They give you a fully operational photography website for three months for free and they hope you like their service so well that you will become a paid subscriber. This free photography website is more functional than the photography websites that I pay for. The fully functional photography website that is offered by Proimageguide.com is flexible for whatever your photography niche may be, from amateur photographer to professional photographer.

The Photographer s Guide to Setting Up a Website by Martyn Moore, is a great resource to assist you in understanding how to set up a photography website. The book offers free resources for photographers such as a free web site, free photography website templates, etc. The book has an accompanying website which contributes to the value of this particular resource.

If feels good to be back in the world of photography. Initially, I was overwhelmed. With the assistance of all the available information on the internet I was able to learn the current business of photography and to share it with others. For sure, the world of photography is massive and growing. I take the time to get all the information necessary to make the best business decisions. I have reversed my business success record. I actually make money in the photography business. Being back makes me a few bucks and allows me to get paid to do what I love photography.

Kalem Aquil is the owner of a website that offers information and resources to assist all level of photographers display their work, find customers and market their photography as well as themselves as photographers.

http://www.Marketing-for-Photographers-and-Photography.com

With digital cameras becoming the norm or even a fashion item more and more children want to know how to use and set up their new cameras. Digital cameras are easy to buy but they come with a manual about an inch thick and like most children, they put the manual aside and fumble through hoping for the best.

They can take pictures with their mobile phones these days, so how hard could it be to use a digital camera?

Unfortunately that’s the attitude and most miss out on how to change a few settings in their camera to get really great shots no matter what the lighting. Teachers are often at a loss to know how to take a class and teach a new technology that they themselves know very little about.

Digital photography is becoming more integrated with university courses. Having a digital camera will soon be like owning a calculator for the average student.

It is so important for a student to become proficient at the use of their new digital camera, as many lecturers are setting assignments that must have photos included, its just part and parcel of the new multi media revolution that is taking place at an enormous pace before our very eyes.

Knowing how to use the camera is half the battle, the other half is teaching students how to take photos that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Most children learn better by being shown how to do something rather than reading hard to understand photographic books.

As their photography teacher goes through step by step how to set up and use their digital cameras, they learn key skills that will help them in getting the most out of their cameras.

About the Author

Sydney Pix is a professional photographer who teaches an 8 week TAFE course covering all the settings that a student needs to use their camera correctly. This course is now a comprehensive two DVD training course.

For more information go to http://www.profotocourse.com/school-photography-lessons.html

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