New to the field...Career advice please?

[Sana Zaidi]

Hello all!
I am 23 years old and generally new to the world of SLR photography. I am looking to get more heavily involved with fashion and wedding photography but I am really lost on where to start. I am already in school for a business degree so I can't drop that and start attending a arts college. But for someone like me starting from the very basics, how do I go about working with fashion photographers as their assistants or help? What type of work should I be looking for and who should I be talking to, to help me further a career in photography? I have tried reaching out to a few local photographers in Canada and now in IL but have not received a single response to my emails. I guess I am just looking for some advice and guidance on how to start working with real professionals. (and by work, I mean I'll even work for free, am not expecting any pay right now) just solely looking for experience and guidance!

Please advice. Any words of advice will be appreciated!

[BigFuzzy]

No trying to put you off, but this is a topic you'll find lots of info on by using the search tool, or scrolling through this section a bit.

One thing I will say, which is constantly brought up when people talk about starting a photography business is the "business" side of it. Much of the advice given on this site about this topic is that those that are successful aren't always those that are the best photographers, it's the ones that best know how to run their photography business. So that's where you have an advantage already in that you're in business school. If possible, (though I don't know how business degrees work), try to tailor your classload to business topics that might help you starting, running, and promoting/advertising your potential photography business.

In my opinion, and luckily for you and the 2 billion other aspiring photographers, photography itself is not something I feel you need traditional schooling (though it never hurts) so there is no need to switch degrees. Photography is one of those things that you can really improve by researching and practicing (a lot!) on your own.

So, I would suggest continuing to try contacting local pros asking to 2nd shoot/assist with them. And find lots and lots of friends/fellow students to practice on.
One absolute must in my opinion (especially as an aspiring fashion shooter) is to learn about lighting. If you think you don't need to or will only be a natural light shooter, you're screwing yourself already. Learn everything yuou can about light(ing) so that you can choose what you want to do and not be limited by your lack of knowledge.

Light: Science and Magic is the place to start for lighting in my opinion. And there are tons of other books that will help with other basics such as composition and such.
Understanding Exposure seems to be one of the 'bibles' that is oft recommended.
Also, strobist.com is a great resource.
Spend lots of time here asking questions (and posting photos for critique).

But yeah.. just keep asking to assist/2nd shoot and do lots and lots of shooting yourself and take advantage that you're already in business school!

Good luck!

[jdepould]

Fashion is pretty tough to break into. I know someone who's had some success in that field shooting, writing and teaching. Her stuff is here:
Lindsay Adler
http://blog.lindsayadlerphotography.com/

She's written a book or two as well that might give you some ideas or insight.

Weddings on the other hand are easier to get involved with. The absolute best option is to assist/second shoot for someone with talent and business sense. The most time you can spend with them, and getting critiques, the better.

We can help with a lot of technical and imaging questions, but unless you have a specific business-related question, it's kind of hard. And we can't really help you with networking locally, since most of us aren't local to you (someone could be, who knows).

[vinith98]

The best option for you right now is to work for an established photographer, I know since you a pretty new it will be a bit hard to find someone to employ you. You could get in touch with some photography schools maybe they will help you out.

[Jim Bryant]

If you're new to the field, don't even worry yourself about a career, theres's way too many people that found out that they can take a decent photo with a dSLR they want to start making money. First, learn what your camera can do for you and then lighting.

[danbaileyphoto]

Agree totally with Jim on this- If you're that new, then you should be spending more energy becoming the best photographer you can be. Work on your skills and artistic style. As you improve, some of those questions will become more apparent.

[Biomech]

Understanding Exposure seems to be one of the 'bibles' that is oft recommended.

I have this, waste of money in my opinion. Sure there's some theory in there, but there's just so much redundant stuff in relating to the old film days; I'd suggest something more like: Digital Photographers Guide to Exposure: Amazon.co.uk: Peter Cope: Books

[Biomech]

Oh on the topic of fashion, you pretty much have to into fashion to get into fashion photography. I was on a course with this kid once, awesome shots, but he literally lives and breathes fashion - he does all the clothing and makeup too:
Rowan Papier - Portraits