MiketheMathMan's video: 6 Things I WISH I Knew BEFORE Becoming a PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Photography Tips Advice

Professional photography has been a goal of mine for the past three years ever since I was a beginner photographer. There were many photography tips, photography hacks, and just general photography truths I didn't know. This video is dedicated mainly to truths I wish I had known at the very beginning. In case you don't have time to watch the whole video, here's the breakdown: 1) The time it takes to learn everything. You can watch YouTube tutorials on composition, editing, etc., and this will help speed up the process, but at the end of the day you still need to get out there and PRACTICE. Getting good at everything you need to become good at takes a lot of practice and a LONG time filled with a lot of mistakes and failures. 2) How expensive good equipment is. Purchasing a basic, entry-level camera bundle with a kit lens on amazon (which are usually pretty cheaply priced comparatively) will get you started, but it won’t allow you to get all the looks you’ll want. The focal length and aperture can totally change how a photo looks. 3) A lot of people think photography is cheap, potential clients included. When they think of photography, all they imagine is someone taking a photo on their phone or DSLR. They don’t realize the thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours that have gone into purchasing the right equipment, learning the right skills and techniques, learning their camera inside and out so they can react in an instant if needed. Learning editing and blending, lighting, composition, etc. Anyone can take a photo. Not anyone take a compelling photo. 4) The amount of miles I’d be putting on my car (depending on where you live). I live in the suburbs of Atlanta. There are VERY few good photo opportunities in suburbia. Not to say that there aren’t any – there are some pretty nice parks and nature trails around here – but you REALLY have to look for them. A trip into the city can take over an hour sometimes, depending on traffic. The vast majority of the good landscape photos are in the north Georgia Mountains. At least 90 minutes away. 5) The amount of copyright claims I’d be filing. TONS on Instagram. Twenty in a single day one time. A few on Facebook. Some people have even used my photos for commercial purposes without my permission. It's a hassle, but thieves are out there and that's something you have to deal with. 6) The amount of money you can make as a photographer. I had no idea at the beginning how much photographers make, but it can be a lot depending on what you do and how good you are. Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mikethemathman My ENTIRE Camera Gear & Recording Equipement: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikethemathman?listId=2F90KJ814LCXF ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~GEAR I USE~~ Camera 1 - Sony a6300 - https://amzn.to/2IT0sht Camera 2 - Sony a6500 - https://amzn.to/2ZvONuX Lenses: Sony 10-18mm f/4 - https://amzn.to/2DuIMpf Sony 50mm f/1.8 - https://amzn.to/2Dtob4D Sigma 16mm f/1.4 - https://amzn.to/2ZpYZW5 Minolta Maxxum 75-300mm f/4.5 - https://amzn.to/2Gw1Cgb Tripod - Manfrotto 290 Xtra - https://amzn.to/2GEvKYg Tripod Head - Manfrotto 3-Way Photo Head - https://amzn.to/2IOjNAw iPhone 6s Plus ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legal Disclaimer: Michael Miller (aka MiketheMathMan) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If you purchase gear from one of the links above, or from shopping in my store, I earn a small commission, which I then use to help support my photography endeavors and make more awesome photos for you.