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How to Start a Photography Business - Shooting For Magazines

By Autumn Lockwood

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 30Dec2010 Word count: 608 Viewed: 641 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Digital photography has caused a massive surge in the popularity of this once mysterious art. Secrets of the darkroom, once accessible only through years of study and practice, are now widely available in digital photo editing suites. Film which would cost a professional photographer hundreds of dollars over time has been replaced by memory cards with infinite reshoot possibilities, and the low cost of entry for digital has allowed thousands of new users to jump into the fray with minimal financial risk. With so many new photographers in the profession, it has helped expand the market for both publications and photography opportunities and created new sources of images and places to sell them. But as a new photographer it may seem challenging to get started so let's take a look at the world of magazine photography.

What Do Magazines Want?

Although there are lots of magazines covering celebrity gossip and trendy news, there are also thousands of other magazines on just about every subject. There are magazines about dogs, cars, computers, architecture, fitness - the list goes on forever. Magazines like these are always on the lookout for relevant and useful images for their audiences.

One way to think about it is that these magazines will always need images of their topics and are happy to pay for them. For example, dog magazines, will never stop needing dog photos, so why not focus on a specific niche?

How to Get Started

First, you should look for a niche that you find interesting. Whatever topic you love, chances are good that there is a magazine focused on that particular subject. Once you've decided on a market, swing by your local bookstore and grab a few magazines off the rack. Take a look at the kinds of photos they are using, and ask yourself if these are the kinds of photographs that you will enjoy taking. It's also important to be honest with yourself at this step - can you deliver photographs that are at or above the quality of the photos they're using? If not, work on your photography until you can.

Once you're ready, look through each magazine and find the photo editor or information on how to submit photos. You want to make sure that you understand the magazine's guidelines before you start, otherwise your pictures will likely not be accepted. Once you know where and how to send your photo, send it in. When you send in your photos, make sure to accompany them with a note or letter with a link to your portfolio.

The Waiting Game

When you submit a photo to a magazine, be prepared to wait a few weeks for a response. Magazines are a print media, and even if accepted your photographs will not show up for a few months. In addition, you should also only submit the same photo to one magazine at a time, otherwise you run the risk of having to decline an offer if your image is selected.

Most magazines will note their usual wait time for a response, which can be anywhere between two and eight weeks. If you haven't heard anything after this time has expired its okay to send a follow-up note reminding the editor of your submission. Just keep it polite!

What's so surprising about selling pictures to magazines is that the process is so easy. All you have to do is find it, shoot it and mail (plus a little waiting). Selling your first photo to a magazine may sound like a crazy dream, but once you get into the habit of making submissions you'll be amazed you didn't try it sooner!

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