When you want to become a freelance photographer, it always helps to be a freelance assistant shooter first. In order to find a job as an assistant, you have to be willing to work hard.
If you don’t have much of a portfolio, you will probably need to work as a lighting assistant first. You will need to network among photographers, joining online groups for photographers in your area and attending local workshops.
If you have friends in the industry, you can ask to see if you can accompany them to an event to build up your portfolio. The best way to showcase your work as a photographer is with a portfolio, and you can’t build one if you have nothing to take pictures of.
While you can start with posing friends and family, you will want your portfolio to be a diverse representation of what you can accomplish with a camera. Networking is one essential key to get started in the photography industry.
Play to your strengths
Keep developing your skills
Diversify
Once you learn the basics of photography and you feel comfortable with the gear you own, it’s time to get serious about diversifying your skills.
Spend some time learning about Lightroom and Photoshop so that you can consider work as a photo editor. Learn how to use the video features on your gear, and practice shooting some video. You never know where your desire to be an assistant shooter will take you further along in your career.
