How do I become a pro?

[Radders]

I can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for, and I'm sure its been covered, so I'm sorry. :) (does anyone have any previous links?)

I'm looking at going professional, so at shows I can get to the areas where the average joe bloggs can't, Same as when I go to music events, so I can get back stage etc.

Thing is, I haven't a clue on how to go about it, and nor can I find an answer on here.


So, where do I start?


Will it be an issue that my photos are just for personal use, and not for a magazine etc?


Thanks in advance :D

[TheHoff]

>>Will it be an issue that my photos are just for personal use, and not for a magazine etc?

Yes. No one will issue you exclusive backstage passes so you can publish the photos to your Facebook. The passes are there for working professionals to do their jobs and publish images for the band's publicity. If you don't publish the images, why should they put you in the pit? In reality you'd be in the way of the people who do making a living with the images and it also is an insurance liability issue for the venue.

A better question might be, 'how do I get published in magazines so that the magazines will help me obtain photo credentials to cover gigs for them?'

And welcome to the forum!

[Mark1]

Hoff is right. Simply being a pro means you are a pro...... It does not mean anything to the event promoter. The promoter will only offer a pass of it benefits the show. In short that means meaningful exposure of some kind. Magazine, FAMOUS website, newspaper, etc, etc. Passes are not handed out to who wants them, they go to who needs them to give the show exposure.

You need to find an outlet that will give you the credentials needed to get ahead of others in the pass line. You will most likely need to start at small clubs and work your way up.

[Radders]

Lol, I wouldnt be putting them on my facebook, Im looking at having my own website soon.

I have thought about contacting magazines to try that way and let them use my photos, I got to alot of music events every month...


Cheers for the welcome, Good site!

[blackshadow]

>>Will it be an issue that my photos are just for personal use, and not for a magazine etc?

Yes. No one will issue you exclusive backstage passes so you can publish the photos to your Facebook. The passes are there for working professionals to do their jobs and publish images for the band's publicity. If you don't publish the images, why should they put you in the pit? In reality you'd be in the way of the people who do making a living with the images and it also is an insurance liability issue for the venue.

A better question might be, 'how do I get published in magazines so that the magazines will help me obtain photo credentials to cover gigs for them?'

And welcome to the forum!

I definitely agree with TheHoff - I suggest you head over to the Performing Arts talk section of POTN and have a look at the FAQs.

And welcome aboard.

[ebann]

If you ever sold any of your pictures for even a dollar, you're a pro. If you live off of those dollars, then you'll be a starving pro ;)

[Mark1]

If you attend a lot. Do what you can to get publishable shots from the audience. So you have something to back up your request to magazines. They get the same request you will make about 200 times a day so you need to stand out. Once you are in, it is a lot easier because you are a known quality.

I might expand my suggestion I made above. Try to shoot ex-famous bands that are on the down side of fame. Such as when Vertical Horizon was out, they were on top of the soft rock game. They still have fans, but not enough to sell out a stadium. So they do large clubs. You most likely will be able to weasel your way to the stage and get the same shots a "Pro" might from the pit. Skid Row is another example. What this will do for you is kinda the same as name dropping. When people see shots of famous people it gives the photographer added credibility for some reason..

[OdiN1701]

Lots and lots of practice.

[DC Fan]

Will it be an issue that my photos are just for personal use, and not for a magazine etc?

Photographers who produce images for periodicals have to generate material on tight deadlines. They need to get the images to a photo editor a short time after they're taken. Once, it was quick for a newspaper or magazine photographer to copy a memory card's worth of images to a notebook PC, choose the best files and transmit them to the photo desk using a wireless Internet link. Now, the fastest transfers are done with EV-DO devices that take the images directly from the camera and upload them.

The need to do the job quickly, to take pictures, write captions for them on the fly, and upload them as soon as possibly, is something that is more work than the average photographer can imagine.

If you want to take on that challenge, first you need to be able to prove that you can generate the images. You need to accumulate several years' experience at the craft. That means study and practice, beginning with small-time events where you'll have a better chance of being welcome than at major events.

As pleasant as the idea seems of getting passes so you can "get to the areas where the average joe bloggs can't" and going "to music events, so I can get back stage," the reality is that getting that access is extremely limited to only a handful of very experienced photographers, most of who have very close ties with event promoters. Check the performing arts talk section of this forum, and you'll see threads documenting that even the best print and freelance concert photographers are treated as if they're interfering with a concert and aren't wanted.

[Radders]

Thank's for the replies :)

[Jon Foster]

If you ever sold any of your pictures for even a dollar, you're a pro. If you live off of those dollars, then you'll be a starving pro ;)

I actually have lots of published stuff. Commercial advertising, magazines, newspapers and websites. I don't think I'm a pro by any means. If I am, I'm a STARVING pro for sure. :p

Jon.

[Alleh]

If you ever sold any of your pictures for even a dollar, you're a pro. If you live off of those dollars, then you'll be a starving pro ;)

I believe it's actually 51% or more of your income to consider yourself a pro. Photography is also extremely lucrative and certainly if you are successful enough to really consider yourself a pro then you are not starving. I am actually eating a delicious sandwich in my hotel lobby in Miami while I wait for my next shoot.


Unfortunately the chances of you becoming a pro are slim to none. Not trying to insult or anything but I never asked that question myself and I can't imagine that if you have to ask it then you really have what it takes. best thing to do would be prove me wrong. If their was an actual answer to your questions everyone would be a professional photographer. All it comes down to is talent and self promotion.

[Radders]

I emailled a few magazines earlier, and have had a reply from one so far :) -


Hi Radleigh,


When we source press passes for people, we generally do it for the spotters and pro-spotters that have supported DSI by uploading regular galleries.


Why not get a profile on DSI and get uploading your galleries. You need to concentrate on making sure that all shots are in focus, good lighting, and a good range of the types of shots that you take.


Once we start seeing some good work from you on our site, we can look at helping you get press passes.


However, we don't want to stop you from approaching clubs for guest list etc. and generally if you tell then that you'll be uploading your pics to DSI, and handing DSI cards out, they will be up for sorting you out. Just ask about stage access, you'll be surprised how many of them will give you it.


We have a new free guest list feature on our homepage. Why not check it out and find some free nights to go to?


Cheers, and good luck out there ;-)


Jason












Unfortunately the chances of you becoming a pro are slim to none. Not trying to insult or anything but I never asked that question myself and I can't imagine that if you have to ask it then you really have what it takes. best thing to do would be prove me wrong. If their was an actual answer to your questions everyone would be a professional photographer. All it comes down to is talent and self promotion.

None taken, the same saying goes for "if you have to ask the price, you cant afford it"

I'd like to prove to myself that I can do it, more than prove to someone else. ;)

I think I got what it takes, I just have to put the effort in.. :)




Thanks for all the input.

[DL.Photography]

Lots and lots of practice.

and a huge bank account that you can deplete....

[Radders]

Moneys not an issue ;)

[ssim]

Correct if I am wrong but from your original post I get the impression that you want to be called a pro simply so that you can get that allusive press pass and as you put it "so at shows I can get to the areas where the average joe bloggs can't".

You have been given some good replies so far. There is always the debate on here as to what constitutes being a professional photographer. This is my job and I make my living doing it but when someone asks me what I do I say photographer, not professional photographer. Some get so tied up in wanting to be called a pro that they just lose perspective.

It is not something that is going to happen fast though some get the lucky breaks and it does. It is something that you have to work towards and as someone above outlined it is much more than being able to take the pictures. Can you deliver on the time lines.

You say that money is not problem right now so I assume that you have a decent paying day job. The question is are you willing to quit this in order to chase the dream.

[Radders]

I've worded it wrong after reading the last reply!:oops: I'm wanting to be able to taking pro pictures, but as a hobby! I don't want to leave my job, I absolutely love my job (being well paid is just a bonus! ), but I have a massive interest in taking pictures for my other hobbies, music.

Sorry to have put it across wrong...


On another note, I've managed to get in touch with a promoter and he is willing to get me access to all areas, inc VIP at a few up coming events! :D

Thanks for everyones input!

[zelseman]

Sounds like you are happy with your career, so why not just take pictures at events as a part of the crowd and just enjoy doing that? I understand where you are coming from as I am sure a ton of people on here do to, you see the guy with the 400mm L lens at a football game and want to be where he is. But I think the games and the shows and the events really lose their appeal as the focus of attending is more geared toward getting good images.
The farther in you get into the industry, the more you are there to get images and not to enjoy the concert, football game, ect.

[Radders]

I'll see how the 13th November goes. :)

[Frugal]

IMO whether or not you are a pro is completely in the minds of your clients, when they look at your portfolio, how you interact with them before after and during the shoot, and how they feel when they receive the final media.

[Stickman]

How do I become a pro?



Easy, shoot works that are good enough to have people take interest in you.

[Stickman]

IMO whether or not you are a pro is completely in the minds of your clients, when they look at your portfolio, how you interact with them before after and during the shoot, and how they feel when they receive the final media.



Well written.

[Mossman6]

If you ever sold any of your pictures for even a dollar, you're a pro. If you live off of those dollars, then you'll be a starving pro ;)

I have to agree. The term Pro or professional just means that you are paid for some sort of service. For example a professional athlete, is someone who is paid to compete in a specific sport. A professional photographer simply means you charge for your services. It does not automatically give you credentials of being good or great.

[jpwone]

Sounds like you are happy with your career, so why not just take pictures at events as a part of the crowd and just enjoy doing that? I understand where you are coming from as I am sure a ton of people on here do to, you see the guy with the 400mm L lens at a football game and want to be where he is. But I think the games and the shows and the events really lose their appeal as the focus of attending is more geared toward getting good images.
The farther in you get into the industry, the more you are there to get images and not to enjoy the concert, football game, ect.

Got to agree with this. I shoot (on a paid basis) sporting celebrity events. Whilst everyone else is enjoying the event I am working. I get to meet some very well known UK celebrities but see next to nothing of the show. I'll grab a few stage shots but most of the time it is back stage VIP grip and grins and 'paid to meet' ticket holders.

It is long hours, lots of prep and when everybody else is heading home you are starting to pack away for a 4 hour drive. Tours are hard work, I lost half a stone in weight in a week on the last one I did. It is bread and butter work, if you want to be creative then you want to look at other areas of photography.

I shoot a fair amount of football as the team photographer and even that has its moments when you are dangerously close to just shooting the same stuff week in week out. I have to think about how I can make my photographs different and challenge the creative side. It is no longer good enough to get an image that is sharp, properly exposed and well timed to capture the moment. A few seasons of a 100+ games a season will give you the experience to do that. You have to continually push yourself. Is there another angle? Can I get the shot which is different? Should I do the slow shutter pan or should I do the high shutter speed burst? What is happening around me (not all the action is on the field or stage)?

The problem with 'pro' photography is that you can quickly get into a rut if you are not careful and it just becomes a job. I probably put as much time into trying to get a single shot which satisfies me as I do churning out the shots that are 'needed'.

Its not all fun you know ;)

John