What does it take to go professional? What do you really need to have different from all the good amateurs out there? Is it more talent? More perseverance? More work?

FACT: There are more photographers in the world than cab drivers.

Yes, it’s a very competitive industry there’s no two ways about it. To be able to earn a living taking pictures sounds like a great idea, but what does it take to go professional? Funnily enough it's not just a matter of picking up a camera, shooting away and waiting for the money to roll in!

Being a professional photographer is often a contradiction in terms. It’s a fine balance between being creative and passionate, yet ambitious and business minded. You need to be a sensitive artist and a thick skinned sales person. Yes, you need to be able to be able to take great pictures but that alone is not enough to succeed in this industry.

Over the years I have represented a diverse range of photographers: their work ranging from photojournalism to packshots, celebrity portraits to architecture. I have witnessed why some succeed where others fail: why some seem to keep clients whilst others don’t.

So, have you got what it takes? Do the following quiz to find out!

1) You want to be a photographer because…

A- You won’t have to deal with paperwork
B- You want to be your own boss
C- You can work when you feel like it

2) You want to spend your days…?

A- Being creative
B- Building a business
C- Building an empire

3) You like to spend your weekends…

A- You won’t have any spare weekends, you’ll be in constant demand for work
B- With your friends and family, and your camera just in case
C- Socialising and on your other hobbies, it’s a time to put down the camera.

4) A friend tells you they don’t like your pictures, how do you react?

A- Sulk. How dare they?
B- Ask them why and try to take the criticism constructively
C- Take it personally and feel disheartened.

5) Which of the below best describes you?

A- A Creative genius
B- Motivated and ambitious
C- Not one to take risks

6) What’s your perfect day?

A- Shouting orders to your crew in the studio and being told how brilliant you are.
B- Catching the best early morning light at getting the perfect shot for your portfolio, then finding out you’ve won a photography competition and going to a private view in the evening for a bit of networking.
C- A nice lay in, catch up with some mates for lunch, bit of shopping, down the pub.

7) What is a model release form?

A- Something you’d get you’re agent to deal with , you’ll just be concentrating on taking the pictures.
B- A necessary bit of paperwork to get the model’s permission to allow you to reproduce the image without there being any repercussions
C- A form that allows the model to go home, err, no not sure, but you’d like to know more about organizing shoots.

8) Your shooting a job on location when there’s a heavy storm, what do you do?

A- Go off in a strop. You can’t work under these conditions
B- Think on your feet and work out a different approach to the brief so you can still shoot  whilst you’ve got all the crew there. Get some fantastic shots of the dramatic weather
C- Panic. You can’t deal with all this unpredictability.

9) How long does it take to start earning a decent salary as a full time photographer on average?

A- 4 months
B- 4 years
C- hopefully straightaway as you need to money coming in every month to pay for your rent, your loan, your car, etc.

10) You want to be a photographer because…

A- You can make a fast buck
B- You can combine what you love doing with your natural business acumen
C- Seems like a nice life

Tally up your answers and find out if you’ve got what it takes to be a successful professional photographer!

Mostly A.  The deluded Prima Donna

Well you certainly don’t lack the confidence. You may or may not be a good photographer but you have to remember you are providing a professional client service and its not all about me, me, me. Its important to develop your business skills as your photography skills, even if one day you do have an agent, a producer, a p.a, a p.r, and four assistants you are still responsible for running your business. Its crucial you work on your people skills too, photography is very much  a people business- that diva attitude is a bit passé! You need to be able to nurture relationships with clients and treat anyone that works with you with respect to get the best out of them. Do yourself a favour and actually listen to others- they may have something worthwhile to say. 

Mostly B.  Move over Mario!

You seem to have what it takes to be a top professional photographer. You have enough passion for your photography and motivation to make it work as a freelance career. You have the gritty determination to reach your creative and financial goals, along with the ability to find a work/ life balance. You’re seem to understand that this isn’t the kind of industry where you make a ‘quick buck’. You are passionate about photography so accept that to be a and that to be success requires a lot of patience and hard work. You can take criticism on the chin and appreciate you need to sell yourself. You’re focused and driven yet flexible to clients needs. You know your limitations and appreciate you have a lot to learn from others. Congratulations, now read on and lets get you up and running

Mostly C – You might need a Plan B?

I’m not sure you are cut out to be a professional photographer. You don’t really seem to appreciate the demands of being a freelance creative or have the constitution to put up with the unpredictability. This isn’t going to a 9-5 job with a secure salary, holiday pay and a pension plan. You’ll need to be 100% enthusiastic about being a full time photographer and finding your own clients. Are you willing to invest time, money and energy, to make sacrifices?- I’m not so sure. But , don’t despair, you obviously have an interest in photography else you wouldn’t be reading this in the first place. Whilst being in charge and behind the camera might not be your cup of tea there are many other careers the other side of the lens that might be perfect for you.

In conclusion, there are certain natural qualities I have noticed that all successful professional photographers possess.

1) Natural self publicists/keen marketeers
2) Passionate about images and the pictures they take
3) Talent. A ‘good eye’
4) Motivation
5) Good communication skills.
6) A memorable or signature style.
7) Direction & focus
8) Professionalism and desire to provide a good client service
9) Persistence
10) A personable attitude/the likeability factor

For more information about the Lisa Pritchard Agency, visit lisapritchard.com.