The job market for photographers is sluggish. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job opportunities for photographers will grow by just 4 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. Take heart, however — with top-notch skills and a little bit of hustle, you can have a great career in photography. Stock photography sites such as Shutterstock need a constant supply of compelling images, as do a number of nature and travel magazines. These online resources will help you improve and expand of your photography skill set. Let’s take a look:
YouTube
YouTube offers videos that will assist you with your transformation into a professional photographer. Mike Browne offers a series of videos that provide insight into every step of taking a photo, where he explains the hows and whys of his process. B&H Photo has posted more than 250 video lectures and workshops on YouTube that cover wedding photography, street photography, abstract and the business basics of freelance photography. The Art of Photography has a collection of videos that will educate new photographers about the practice of photographer and also the history of the art.
Blogs
The blog Click It Up A Notch provides you with a tutorial that can teach you the basics of manual cameras. It offers tutorials that range from beginner to expert, so you can grow with the blog as your skills improve. There is a “Critique Me” section of the site, where you can upload your photos and submit them for constructive critique. The tips and techniques you gain from the photography community will be very helpful in your growth as a photographer. Click It Up A Notch also offers a free e-book of “8 Ways to Improve Your Photography in One Week.”
Another useful photography blog is I Heart Faces, which has a slew of tutorials in camera lessons, lighting, posing, Photoshop and more. Every month, the site has a different photo challenge, where you can submit your photo to be judged for a prize.
Tutorial Sites
Creative Live is a photography tutorial site that posts tutorials from successful photographers around the world. The site also offers a wide variety of free photography classes, which include outdoor photography, portrait photography, mastering the lens (for both Nikon and Canon), travel photography and more. The site has more in-depth classes that delve into specific subjects, like lighting, which cost around $90.
Inspiration
It is helpful to visit the sites of professional photographers for inspiration. However, you must be careful to not accidentally imitate the style of a photographer you draw inspiration from. When you observe and browse through inspirational photos, single out the combination of fundamentals that make the photos stand out — composition, lighting elements, movement, colors, angles and subject matter. For example, photographer Lauren Stelling excels in the multifaceted variety of poses she has her subjects create — it lends a whimsical element to her photography. Jordan Voth is another inspiring example. He captures beautiful portraits in breathtaking landscapes, utilizing natural light and natural textures. Adam Katz Sinding is another talent to watch. He creates images at low level angles and pays close attention to the position of the horizon in his photography, which is apparent in all of his well-curated shots.
