Digital photography has caused a massive increase in the popularity of this once mysterious art. The secrets of the darkroom, once accessible only through years of study and practice, are now widely available in digital photo editing suites. Film that would cost a professional photographer hundreds of dollars over time has been replaced by memory cards with endless reshoot possibilities, and the low cost of entry for digital has allowed thousands of new users to join the fray. with minimal financial risk. With so many new photographers in the profession, it has helped expand the market for photography publications and opportunities and created new sources of images and places to sell them. So how do you get started as a professional photographer? It’s not as difficult as you might think, so let’s take a look at the world of print media.
What do the magazines want?
Sure, there are plenty of magazines out there that deal primarily with celebrity gossip or fashion news. Since you’re not likely to book Brad Pitt in his studio (or sneak out of his house), it’s important to remember that there are thousands of magazines that are devoted to just about everything else. There are magazines about cars, dogs, computers, fitness, home decor, cooking, and many others. Magazines like these are always looking for images that are relevant and useful to their audiences.
One way to think about it is that these magazines will always need images of their subjects and will be happy to pay for them. For example, dog magazines will never stop needing photos of dogs, so why not focus on a specific niche?
How to start
The best thing you can do is find a niche that you like. Whatever subject you love, chances are there is a magazine focused on that particular topic. So select a market and then head to the bookstore and buy a couple of magazines focused on your topic. Take a look at the types of photos they’re using and ask yourself if these are the types of photos you’ll enjoy taking. Make sure you’re really honest with yourself at this stage because if you can’t take the kind of quality images they’re using, you need to keep practicing before you start.
Look at each magazine and find the photo editor’s contact information, or information on how to submit. It’s important to be aware of these guidelines before submitting anything, as submissions that don’t meet the guidelines may not be accepted. Once you know where and how to submit your photo, submit it. When you submit your photos, be sure to accompany them with a note or letter with a link to your portfolio.
wait time
When you submit a photo to a magazine, be prepared to wait a few weeks for a response. Magazines are a print medium, and even if they are accepted, your photos won’t appear for a few months. Also, it’s always best to submit each photo to one publication at a time, this way you don’t risk having to decline an offer because another publisher has chosen to use your image.
Many times the magazine will note that their typical turnaround time is 2-8 weeks. If you haven’t heard anything after this time has expired, it’s okay to send a follow-up note to remind the editor of your submission. Just be polite!
The amazing thing about selling photos to magazines is that the process is so easy. It can all be summed up as “find it, shoot it, mail it”. Selling your first photo to a magazine may sound like a crazy dream, but once you get into the habit of submitting, you’ll be surprised you didn’t try it sooner.