The first thought that usually pops up in people’s mind when they think about photography is “all you do is press a button.” Oh, boy I wish It was just as easy as 1-2-3. Just one press a button and BOOM! You have a work of art but that isn’t the case. A lot goes into capturing an image especially portraits. There is the concept, the set-up, following through with the photo shoot, capturing the images, and last but certainly not least…. the retouching. It sounds like a lot but I promise you it’s all worth it at end. I guarantee that you will ask yourself, “wow did I just recreate this?” If you’re looking to become a photographer, let me share with you my experiences and tips on how I started this journey.
Where did it all begin?
Back in high school, I never owned a camera besides my mom’s little Canon point-and-shoot. But she never let me use it besides the typical family photo (and the Myspace pictures). So, I saved up all my money and purchased my first iPod Touch with the camera. And honestly, looking back, the camera on that device was horrible but I was very happy. Whatever, whomever, and wherever I could, I took pictures. I took pictures of my friends, the environment around me, and myself (self-portraits).
When I finally could buy my first iPhone, I was even more excited because of the upgrade I received. My love for photos continued. I became the go-to guy whenever anyone wanted their pictures taken. But as time went on, I slowly shifted my attention to other things especially as I was heading off to college. But my love for pictures didn’t stop there.
My transition to photography
Before I became a photographer, I was a model. During my college years, I participated in various photoshoots whenever I could. My most favorite ones were at a student magazine at my school known as CULT. Being surrounded by so many creative people inspired me to not only push myself out of my boundaries but to take risks. I was inspired by so many creative ideas and shoots that eventually, led me to create my own shoot for the magazine.
During my senior year, I put together a shoot where I wanted to make an impact. I saw a lack of representation in LGBTQ people of color throughout the media and I wanted to be the first at my school to bring light to this. So, one night, I put together my first pitch that would depict gay men of color in a fashion inspired shoot. My message for the shoot was clear- UNITY.
When I finally received the yes for the shoot. I was ready and happy. When the day came for the shoot to start, I observed how our photographer, who I handpicked, knew what story I wanted to tell. He gave us clear ideas and directions on how to pose and reflect emotions through the lens. It was that photoshoot where I knew that I too wanted to be behind that lens someday. Our photographer certainly delivered and became one of my go-to friends.
The final push
My ex-boyfriend and I loved photography. He owned a DSLR camera which by then I still didn’t own one myself. He was my photographer and I was his model. He and I would travel to the city or go to the near-by park to take pictures. We were a great team and I remembered I would push him and encourage him to pursue photography professionally. But that wasn’t the case.
Things between him and I eventually came to an end and I found myself reflecting. I realize that I shouldn’t be wasting my energy having to push anyone to pursue their dreams. I was giving so much energy towards someone to pursue their dreams when I could easily re-direct that same energy to myself. It was my dream to one day work in fashion or the media. And photography is a start. I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands.
Last year, I went off on a whim and went to my nearest Best Buy and bought my first camera. Team Nikon. At first, I was hesitant because of the price tag. But I said to myself, this is an investment and it will pay off. I decided it was time to invest in myself and I went along with the purchase and haven’t looked back since.
How you can become a photographer
Photography isn’t simply just taking pictures. It is your method of communication to the world. If you take a moment to look at yourself and the pictures you take, you can see that you are reflecting the person you are through your pictures. That is storytelling.
If you’re looking to become a photographer ask yourself these important questions.
- What message do I want to communicate with the world?
- What type of photography or niche do I want to pursue?
- What style of photography do I want to create?
By asking yourself these questions, you are on your way to becoming a photographer.
But what If I don’t have a DSLR?
It doesn’t matter whether you have a DSLR. Your phone’s camera is just enough. I started taking pictures with an iPod Touch. Then my iPhone. Eventually, I was able to buy my first DSLR. It does not matter what device you have but rather how you use it. I have seen amazing pictures taken with just an iPhone. The important thing to remember is to know what story or message you are trying to tell.
Find Your Style
You must learn how to retouch or edit your photos to your style. I use Photoshop and that was a beast that I had to learn to tame. But over time, I found my style through trial and error. Take the time to just edit your pictures and see how you can make them look interesting.
If you don’t have Photoshop/Lightroom or can’t afford them, you can try these photo editing tools below:
- VSCO
- Snapseed
- Facetune
Practice
Practice makes perfect, you won’t become a pro overnight. I certainly haven’t and I am still learning to this day. Just go out and shoot. You don’t need models, you can bring your friends and turn them into models. But most importantly, have fun. It’s fun taking pictures and It is so cool when you put it all together.
Final Note
If you are looking to becoming a photographer, you certainly can. All it takes is just getting out there and capture the world. If you enjoyed this post, share it with a friend! Follow me on Instagram @__carlosrodrigo. What is your first step to becoming a photographer? Share in the comments below.