If you’re interested in freelance photography, you’re in luck! This is a great time to get into the business, as there is a lot of demand for quality photographers at the moment. However, it’s important to remember that becoming a successful freelance photographer takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
In this article, we’ll cover some quick tips that may help you get started as a beginner freelance photographer – from things like lighting, to the fact that large format printing needs hi-res files. So let’s get started!
1. Shoot in RAW format for the most flexibility during post-processing
This is one of the most important tips for beginner freelance photographers. RAW files offer much more flexibility than JPEGs when it comes to editing, so if you’re not confident in your post-processing skills yet, shooting in RAW will give you a lot more leeway to play around with your photos and get them looking just right.
And if you’re wondering what RAW files are, they’re simply image files that haven’t been processed or compressed by a camera. This means that all the data from the image sensor is retained, giving you a lot more information to work with when you edit the photo later on.
2. Use natural light whenever possible to capture beautiful, authentic images
One of the best things about photography is that you can really capture the beauty of everyday moments and objects – and using natural light is a great way to do this. If you’re shooting indoors, try to position your subjects near a window so they’re bathed in soft, natural light. And when you’re shooting outdoors, make use of the golden hour – that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft, warm and beautiful.
3. Scout locations in advance and plan your shots accordingly
This is especially important if you’re shooting on location for a client. Make sure to scout the location in advance so you know exactly what you’ll be working with on the day of the shoot. This will help you plan your shots and make sure you get the best possible results for your client.
If you can, it’s also a good idea to do a practice shoot at the location beforehand so you can get a feel for the lighting and the layout. This will help you be even more prepared on the day of the shoot, and it’ll give you a chance to test out different ideas and compositions.
Shooting on location can be challenging, but if you’re prepared and have a plan, you’ll be able to get great results.
4. Take lots of photos and keep the best ones – you never know which one will be a winner
This is one of the best pieces of advice for any photographer, beginner or otherwise. When you’re shooting, take lots of photos and don’t be afraid to experiment – you never know which one will end up being your favourite (or your client’s favourite!). And when you’re editing, don’t be afraid to delete the ones that don’t quite make the cut – it’s better to have a smaller selection of great photos than a larger selection of mediocre ones.
5. Edit your photos using high-quality photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom
Once you’ve taken your photos and chosen the best ones, it’s time to start editing. This is where efficient and reliable photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom comes in handy – these programs will give you the tools you need to perfect your photos and make them look their absolute best.
If you’re new to photo editing, don’t worry – there are plenty of tutorials and resources available to help you get started. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to create stunning images that you’re proud to share with the world.
These are just a few quick tips to help you get started as a beginner freelance photographer. Of course, there’s a lot more to learn – but these tips should give you a good foundation to build on. So go out and start shooting!