There are many specialties within the profession of photography. There are fine art photographers as well as nature photographers, photojournalists and more traditional photographers who specialize in weddings, portraits, family photos, etc. The initial steps to professional photography are the same regardless of the specialty. Here are some of those basic steps:

1. Education and obtaining camera equipment are the first two steps of becoming a photographer. It's difficult to determine which step comes first. You'll definitely get more out of photography classes if you have equipment, but you won't want to spend too much money on camera equipment until you get far enough into the photography class to know what you want to do with it. Equipment is not universal. Different types of photography call for different types of equipment.

As far as education is concerned, there are cases of self-taught photographers. Some of them are very good. In all cases, it is recommended that at the very least the first step in becoming a professional photographer is to take a detailed basic photography course.

2. Once you have developed the basic photography knowledge and skills to function on a professional level, it's time to choose what area of photography you want to develop as a business.

3. Once you choose your area of specialty, you need to obtain studio space to set up a commercial photography storefront. With any photography profession, you must obtain the appropriate licenses and permits.

4. Once your business is up, it is time to develop a portfolio of your work to show potential customers, to set up a website so people can find you on line, and to develop your marketing strategy.

5. In today's market, it is important to keep your name before the public. To do this, you should launch an on-line marketing campaign as well as a paper one, if appropriate. To gain attention on line, develop a blog to go with your website. This is where you can post informative content to keep your clients interested in you instead of going to someone else.

6. Simultaneously with setting your marketing strategies into motion, you need to develop your business procedures. These will include your scheduling systems; your communication systems (the phone system that you will use and your email system) including how you will remind people of appointments, etc.; your sales strategies; and your billing systems. It sounds like a lot to set up, but these are the aspects that must be addressed in any profession and as a photographer, you can not ignore them.

7. Once your business is up and running, your next task will be to develop strategies for keeping the business going. The important aspect of running a business is to keep it fresh and appealing to your customers.

Learn more about this author, Lou Belcher.
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