10 beginner photographer’s mistakes to avoid

Do you remember when you went from being an amateur photographer to taking the big leap and transforming your passion into a way of making a living as a professional photographer? If it has been a short time since you made this decision, this article where we are going to talk about the main mistakes of a beginner photographer is going to come in handy.

And if you took the step to become a professional photographer a long time ago, we are sure that you will identify with many of these mistakes that many amateur photographers make.

 

 

Discover the most common beginner photographer mistakes and learn how to avoid them with this guide.

 

 

What are the main mistakes of a beginner photographer?

 

 

Like any other profession, at the beginning of any career it’s all trial and error, and photography is no exception. To prevent you from making some of those common mistakes, we’ve put together this little guide to the 10 most common mistakes a beginner photographer makes.

And as a last piece of advice you will find at the end of this article the recommendations of 3 great professionals in the world of photography that will be of great help to you.

1# Avoid your camera’s automatic mode

We start this little guide to beginner photographer’s mistakes with how you use your camera. When you start with photography as a hobby, the automatic mode is a marvel because without much knowledge the camera automatically selects a series of parameters, such as: aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, etc. and this option is what will allow you to take more or less acceptable photographs.

The problem is when you want to stop being a mere amateur and turn this great hobby into your true vocation. When taking this step, you don’t have to rely on the parameters chosen by your camera. The important thing is that you know what each of them does and learn to select the most appropriate values depending on what you want your images to represent. To achieve this goal, although it may seem obvious, reading the camera’s instructions will be essential and we know for a fact that this is not always done.

2# Don’t be afraid of ISO

ISO sensitivity along with shutter speed and aperture are the parameters that will define the exposure of a photograph. ISO specifically controls the sensitivity of the sensor to light and it will be essential that you know how to set it to achieve the desired results.

Sometimes it happens, especially when this parameter is not mastered, that many photographers are afraid to raise the ISO to avoid having “digital noise” in their photographs. This is true, but sometimes playing with this parameter and raising it will allow you to obtain much better quality results.

3# The most important thing is not the camera but your experience

Another mistake that photographers often make in their beginnings is to invest exorbitant amounts in their photographic equipment and this can be counterproductive. It is clear that the better the equipment, the easier it will be for the professional to create the photos he/she wants, but this statement has a drawback and that is that no matter how good the camera is, if the photographer does not know how to use it correctly, the investment will not have been profitable.

In these cases, it is best for the beginner photographer to buy a good but not too expensive camera. Ideally, before making this kind of investment, he should first learn how to use it properly and become proficient with it.

Another aspect to take into account is the portfolio of amateur photographers. When you are just starting out and you don’t yet have a name in the sector, your best letter of introduction is going to be your portfolio, and that is where you are going to have to make your first investments.

4# Avoid comparing your work to that of a professional photographer

Throughout your professional career, it is good to have a series of references. Looking at other colleagues who have already gone far will help you to set your goals. But in this process, avoid comparing the photos you are currently taking with those of your references, because no matter how well you take the images, you don’t know if the photographer you are following has a technical and human team behind him or her.

Ideally, you should set smaller and more realistic goals and little by little, through training and experience, achieve small objectives.

5# Don’t neglect training if you really want to be a professional photographer

Being self-taught is all very well but in the long run, if you really want to dedicate yourself to this, it is important that you train yourself in a more serious way to get the knowledge you need to master your camera, the rest of the elements you can use and the post-production process. If you don’t take this step seriously, you will never be able to take the leap and turn your hobby into your livelihood.

>> The importance of training for a photographer. And find out about 11 top photography training options

And even if you are already a professional photographer, you should never stop training. In this profession, every now and then there is a new technique or trend that is interesting to study, such as Artificial Intelligence.

>> AI applied to photography: Tools to turn artificial intelligence into an ally

 

6# Learn, test and study post-production processes

 

 

 Being a professional photographer is not only about taking good pictures, it is also important to know how to process them and to get the desired effect on the computer. That’s why it is important that you set aside some of your time to learn how to use editing programs with all their options and that you are very aware of how to edit an image until you get the desired end result.

Here again, training and practice come into play, 2 fundamental pillars to achieve your goals and avoid one of the most common mistakes of a beginner photographer in this profession.

7# Good planning can be your best ally

Especially when you are just starting out, planning is essential to achieve your goals little by little. Although you may be very creative and like to photograph in a more improvised way, if you really want to make money with this, it is important that you plan your first sessions in detail. Here are some recommendations:

• If it is an outdoor session, know the environment very well, choose the most appropriate time and have a plan B in case it rains that day.
• If it’s an indoor shoot, have all the sets, accessories and props ready and always have a few extras on hand in case of any mishaps during the shoot.
• Leave all equipment ready with extra batteries, batteries and memory cards, especially if you will be working in an outdoor environment.
• If it is a reportage with one of your first clients, have a chat with them beforehand to clarify the objectives and other details for the shoot.
• Etc.

This type of planning will not only help you to go into your photo shoots with more confidence, but will also help you to make far fewer mistakes on those first photo shoots.

8# Try new techniques, practice and you will discover the key to success

Another of the failures of a beginner photographer is to only shoot what you like. If, for example, you love landscape photography, it is all very well to practice different techniques in this discipline, but remember that if you try other very different techniques, such as portrait or wildlife photography in movement, you can transfer the good results to the type of photography you really like to do.

Our advice is to try a lot, especially at the beginning, and don’t close yourself to any style until you have found your own.

9# Being a professional photographer does not have to be a solo career

Although the profession of photography may seem very lonely, the truth is that it doesn’t have to be. Especially at the beginning, when you are just starting out and making your first reportages. At this stage, meeting other more experienced colleagues who have already been through this process can be of great benefit to you. That’s why it’s important that you participate in groups, forums and attend workshops and photography events. Not only to train yourself, but also to make new friends and learn from the greats.

At Arcadina we support many photographers and we give visibility to the trainings of several photographic associations that give courses and organise talks on different topics related to photography. You can follow all our sponsorships through our Instagram social network.

10# Don’t put off the idea of setting up a digital photography business until later

 

 demonewyork.arcadina.com

And to finish with this compilation of mistakes of a beginner photographer, it is important that you value the possibility of creating your digital business before even opening your physical photography studio. This is a much more economical and functional way to validate if your business can get off the ground.

Think that if you create a photography website and add valuable content, Google will gradually improve your positioning and thanks to your digital business you will be able to sell your first photographs in your online shop and offer your customers a professional space in which to view, download, select and buy the images of your first photographic reports through private galleries.

Also, if you include a Booking Calendar, you can continue to build your portfolio or serve your first customers while others book directly from your website.

If you still don’t know our exclusive business solutions for photographers we encourage you to try them for 14 days for free, you will be surprised by all the options we have for you.

 

 

 

 Tips and recommendations from Arcadina’s top photographers

Next, we are going to share with you a series of recommendations given to us by a series of photographers with a long professional career and who also trust in Arcadina.

But first we are going to take the opportunity to introduce you to our new Arcadina Ambassadors page where you will be able to meet several photographers who have been relying on our business solutions for a long time and who, whenever they have the chance, take the opportunity to promote them.

>> Arcadina Ambassadors

Foto Arte Carlos Felipe: artistic wedding reportages

 

 fotoartecarlosfelipe.com

Carlos Felipe, as well as being one of our ambassadors for Arcadina, is a renowned wedding photographer in Almeria with a very particular style that has won him countless awards and recognitions.

Carlos tells us that rather than highlighting the mistakes of a beginner photographer, he wants to highlight a series of tips based on his own personal experiences so that the beginnings of his colleagues are as successful as possible.

Carlos Felipe Ortiz’s recommendations

• “Don’t get obsessed with changing equipment every few years. Find a camera you’re comfortable with and get the most out of it.
• “Don’t think you know everything about your profession as a photographer”. Training is essential for you to move forward.
• “Don’t train only with photographers of your own style”. If you want to grow, discover other styles to create your own.
• “Learn to be an entrepreneur. Spend time learning how to be an entrepreneur, manage and grow your business.
• “Keep your website, business and networks up to date“. Your customers are going to look for you online and it is important that you keep these channels up to date.
• “Evaluate if you need a study and if it is not essential, invest in your online business”. Invest part of the capital in improving your website, networks and ads.
• “Do market research to set prices that don’t break the market“. Don’t set prices too low or offer extra services for free. This will end up hurting the whole sector in the long run.
• “Avoid imitating your reference photographers”. It’s all very well having a photographer to look up to, but it’s important to find your own style and not copy their method.
• “Be original and break away from fashions. Don’t focus too much on the fads or trends of the moment so that when they become obsolete, your brand identity remains intact.
• “Don’t lose your creativity. Keep alive the bug and the desire to try new things that you have when you are just starting out.
• “Offer the client a selection of the 300 best photos of their wedding rather than 5,000 ordinary images”. Give value to your work and explain to your clients that this job can’t be done by just anyone.

Maru Serra: boudoir, children’s and communion photography

 

 maruserra.com

This photographer defines herself as a passionate photographer. Maru works as a boudoir and children’s photographer in Valencia and has also created a series of courses, training and workshops specifically for photographers. Maru is another of our Arcadina ambassador photographers and she also wanted to contribute with her experience telling us about the possible mistakes that a photographer who is just starting out should avoid.

Maru Serra’s international online school: Boudoir photography course: “a world of light”. Children and communion photography course: “a world of light”.

Maru tells us that she was very lucky in her beginnings because a great photographer whom she admired was able to guide her in her early days. Despite this great help, Maru also remembers her great discipline (which she still has) when working and learning this profession.

Maru Serra’s recommendations

• “Look for a reference photographer to follow”. Especially at the beginning, it is very interesting to look for a photographer you admire and who has achieved his or her goals.
• “Without a good foundation and training, it is difficult to launch a successful career”. Training is essential for a photographer, both at the beginning and to update oneself after years in the profession.
• “Follow photographers who inspire you and learn from them”. Even if you have a photographer you admire, it also helps to know and analyse the work of your peers.
• “Believe in yourself and in being able to carry out great projects”. As well as thinking positive thoughts, be willing to face every project and every inconvenience that arises with energy. The only one who will prevent you from achieving your goals will be yourself.
• “Inspiration and improvement will always be outside your comfort zone”. If you want to move forward, you have to do different tasks, and sometimes you will feel dizzy to carry them out. This is the only way. If you are brave and persistent, you will achieve great challenges.
• “Avoid comparing yourself with others, learn to value yourself, and be clear about what you want and are willing to sacrifice”.
• “Let’s think about our positive aspects instead of looking for what we lack, and let’s focus on our strengths, always surrounding ourselves with people who love us.”
• “We must be unique and think that no one is perfect, but that each person is unique in the world”.
• “To be generous with others, and to accept, in order to be authentic, that we all need each other and that prosperity does not consist in having achievements that others achieve, but in understanding that the important thing is to develop in ourselves the gift of transforming into value everything that we do with passion and love”.

 

Carlos Reina: sports sessions

 

 carlosreinaphoto.co.uk

Carlos Reina is a photographer and videographer who specialises in sports, commercial and event reportage and is currently based in Cumbria (UK).

This photographer whom we already had the pleasure of interviewing, told us that he thought it was very interesting to focus this article on the mistakes that a photographer who is just starting out should avoid, differentiating on the one hand the most common “stumbles” that most of his colleagues make in their beginnings, and on the other hand also explaining his own.

Carlos Reina’s recommendations

• “Don’t think that spending a fortune on great equipment will make you a better photographer. Using quality equipment is important but it is not everything. Good photos don’t come from good cameras but from great photographers.
• “Never use the automatic mode of your camera”. While this may seem obvious, it is less so for photographers who are just starting out. Research your camera, learn how to use all the features, and above all: practice, practice, practice.
• “Ask for criticism of your images.” Whether they are constructive or somewhat destructive. You will always learn something from a colleague’s opinion. And above all, never think that your images are the best (they can always be improved, especially at the beginning).
• “Never work for free (unless you want to)”. Sometimes in this profession we are undervalued and many times you will meet people who want you to do a photo shoot for nothing. Value your time and only work “for free” if you see that it will bring you some kind of benefit (even if it is not financial).
• “Look for inspiration everywhere. Whether it’s by visiting photography websites, social media or even classical painting. But always without copying.

Don’t make the mistakes of a beginner photographer thanks to these 10 tips from Arcadina

When you have experience the mistakes of a beginner photographer can be obvious, but when you are starting out it doesn’t have to be so obvious. That is why it is important that you seek information about what you like, rely on other colleagues and never stop training.

As you can see, many of our fellow photographers agree with some of the recommendations we have given you in this article. The important thing is that you follow your own path, that you try to improve more and more in your work with quality training, and that, above all, you never lose the enthusiasm of these first years as a professional photographer.

If you want to start creating your digital photography business, at Arcadina we offer you a 14-day trial so that you can see for yourself how to start your new profession.

 

 Today we would like to share with you the testimony of Miguel Ángel Garrote from Focus Foto Estudio.

>> ‘Arcadina Labs is a good option and saves time’, Miguel Angel Garrote

And finally, we’d like to know what mistakes you remember making when you started out as a photographer. We’d love to read your answers in the comments.

 

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