Could you describe one of your typical work day as a photographer?

The biggest challenge is finding work. It's time consuming to identify who to contact and how to reach them. Plus, only about 10-15% will respond. And, making sure that I understand what the client expects from me can be a challenge. Every client has different requirements.

No, you do not need a college degree to be a photographer. BUT, I consider an education to be an asset that you do not want to skip. It gives you an income as you establish yourself as a photographer and I believe it's an opportunity to experience different ideas and expand your knowledge base. The odds of you coming out of high school and establishing a successful photography are not in your favor.

Before I describe a "typical" work day, I will tell you a little about me. I am retired and freelance as a photographer shooting primarily college sports. I recently moved back to Idaho from Rhode Island. As a freelancer, I spend a good deal of my work days looking for assignments. In Rhode Island, I had several clients that kept me as busy as I wanted to be. Now, that I am back in Idaho, I have to basically start over finding clients. If my eastern clients had been national accounts, I could have continued to shoot for them, but they were only regional.

If you pursue this business as a freelancer, you will spend way more time marketing yourself than you will using a camera. If you do not market yourself, you will not be successful. I have a website which is basically my portfolio. I reach out to prospective clients asking if they have a need for my services and direct them to my website. My website shows them the type of images I can produce in various categories. Having a website is critical to establish my credibility as a professional photographer.

If I have an assignment, most of my day is spent getting my gear ready and mentally preparing for the assignment. I charge batteries, gather the lenses I will be using and , since I am shooting football, what clothing I will need. Before arriving at an assignment I think about how I will cover that assignment so that when I arrive at the shoot, I am completely prepared to be successful.

You asked what is most challenging for me. The most challenging is finding work. The process of identifying prospective clients and how to contact them is time consuming. And, I expect maybe 15% will respond to my query. Now, I also follow up if I did not receive a response. The next challenge is making sure the client and I are clear about what he, or she, expects from me. Every client is different.

Also, you asked about college. No, you can be successful as a photographer without a college degree. BUT, I am a believer in a college education. First, it gives you an income as you establish your photography business. Second, it exposes you to different ideas and interests which can benefit you as a photographer. To be frank; graduating from high school and establishing a successful photography business is not likely. Sure, it's doable, but the odds are not in your favor.