5 Myths About Being a Photographer:

#1 — Being a Photographer is Easy —

Most things that generate remarkable results are seldom easy. Doing photography on a pro level requires a certain blend of practice, experience, drive, determination, and business acumen. Photographers and their markets differ, but one thing constant is that a lot of effort has been put into creating their work and growing their business.

Solution: If you’re starting out, meet up with a pro photographer, get some advice and listen to stories on how they started, learn from their mistakes and their smart moves as they grew their business.

#2 — Success Happens Overnight —

If this is the case, it is an anomaly. Some people see slow growth was a bad thing, slow growth can be a great thing. Remember the story of the “Tortoise and the Hair”, what was the takeaway, “slow and steady wins the race”. You don’t know what the future holds, the variables may be out there, the clients may come along. Growing too fast, too quick can be tough, your risks rise when you’re not prepared and your quality of work can be affected not to mention the quality of life. Sure you may be getting more income, but with that your work commitment grows, and thats something to think about as you grow.

Solution: Constantly try to build momentum with your business, as that grows, focus on doing great work, and then let that work do the rest.

#3 — Shooting with Natural Light Only —

I love a beautiful naturally lit photo. There are tons of great photographers out there who always run film, or shoot natural light. So there is nothing wrong with that. There is something wrong with not understanding the complexities of lighting with artificial light only and paired with natural light.

Solution — Rent or borrow some strobe lighting, learn some basic lighting setups, some light shaping tools. Visit the Profoto Blog for some great techniques.

#4 — Loving Photography & Being a Photographer Are One in the Same —

As with anything you would do professionally, it takes a major time commitment and know how. I love music, and I even play some instruments but I don’t consider myself as a musician.

Solution : Take stock of where you are at in your photography training/experience, and it can help you define whether you’re a photography lover or pro photographer.

#5 — All You Need is a Few Good Images and a Online Portfolio —

You actually need a few unbelievably stellar images and some good images. Its also important that your portfolio has diversity, Five shots of the same model wont work.

Solution: Go shoot some more. You should be shooting at least twice a week if you’re doing this on a pro level. Paid or unpaid, go shoot.