How to be a professional photographer [7 Steps to maximize your chances of success] 

1. Know basics 2. Choose your niche 3. Getting right equipment 4. Practise 5. Be Realistic 6. Understand dots & connections 7. Get your work out there

I haven't decided to become self employed. Covid 19 has kind of made that decision for me. But photography has been a huge passion of mine since I got a Pentax film camera for my 16th birthday. At nearly 40 and finding myself out of work, and medically unemployable, I am going to give photography my all and try my absolute best to make this work. If I fail, at least I tried while I had the opportunity. And there will be no regrets. But I don't intend to fail. I am spending hours on your education platform and have invested in some new kit to add to my collection. I have learned more in the past few weeks than the years of text book reading. The on set tips and tricks you share just cannot be found in a book. They come from years of overcoming these various challenges and seeing what works and what doesn't. I hope to look back and think that this decision was the best thing I did with the situation I've found myself in. Thank you for sharing your experience and skill with us!

Sir, you are not only a top professional photographer but extremely talented and kind enough to pass that wisdom into our hearts.

Been doing this for 35 years and still learned stuff. Bravo.

I'll stay in the hobbyist lane for now. The key point for me is to practice and try different things.

As someone who has been trying to quit my day job for the last 9 years and become a working photographer, you are one of a small number of people on youtube whose advice carries gravitas, let alone knows what he's doing.

Yes people he actually shows you step by step how he does his product shots instead of just talking about the latest camera. Useful info that you need to know in order to make money in the business of photography not just aimlessly spending money on gear you'll never get full use of.

I appreciate your honesty. You gave my a little hope on becoming a proTog one day, although it is hard to keep the positivity sometimes.

Good stuff Karl; subbed. I've been sloggin' away since I was a 22yo grad; now 63. I'm a proud Generalist. On purpose. So my "style" is more.....the ability to cover multiple bases and subject matter. I'm hired for that range and experience. Any photographer that says they're a "professional photographer" needs to do at least two things: Demonstrate it, stop talking about what you are; SHOW it. PROFESSIONAL RESULTS is the operative standard. And secondly, if photography isn't your chief source of income, you ain't. You're a semi-paid hobbyist. Lastly, everybody seems to think they can shoot a wedding. That's not my cup of tea, but I've seen HORRIBLE work for decades. Actually the specialty requires advanced skill-sets, knowledge of mixed lighting, using flash, posing, ETC. Few do it well. And it shows!

Your channel and experience worth more than gold. Thank you!

This is more than useful, it was pleasure to watch!

Your videos are very comprehensive and it's obvious that you're an expert. You're a true educator. Looking forward to watching more.

Tysm Karl, this was so helpful to understand what we are doing and what we should be doing.. lots of love and support..

Always an inspiration. Thank you.

This is awesome! Amazing!!! Every photographer must watch this

People skills are hugely important. I know some extremely good photographers but can't communicate. You may have all the above but if you are not likeable you have hit a wall. Having a great assistant can be worth their weight in gold. Excellent list.

I Really enjoyed your advices and all are really true. I am in that path to discovery myself in that field and I have the passion for it. Thank you for sharing all this and I will focus on it. Thank you again.

I know many portrait photographers do struggle and they do not specialize, I was making one million $ per year constantly since the 90's until about 2014 then it did start to sink in that everyone is a photographer as Karl said, I am out of retirement as I was totally bored and now only generate 100k or so, People are spending less, if I market more then yes more to $ come but less per client. One thing I am very surprised about is the number of photographers out there, it's amazing, there is much money to be made in education and there are many educators. I like Karl he does a very good job. I NOTICE that portrait clients are very much influenced by the Instagram thing and the cameras on their phones, So Karl is right the portrait sector has taken a hit, Nice video Karl, From Canada EH!

Thanks Karl. Great video mate.

Thanks for your honesty. 8:08 I do photography as hobby, I can shoot when I want and what I want when my daily job can pay all my expenses. No any stress to find a client next day ... BTW, my photos are time to time in local newspaper and what they generally pay per photo is laughing....

Good advice. Thanks. I have been waiting for this

I'm 15 and I have a love for photography, I understand art and the art for photography and hope this can be my future career, hopefully my photos can improve.

So many golden advices in a very educational way! thank you for taking time to share your experience.

Very good advices specially point three “Niches” for myself.

Thank you so much. This must be your passion.

I absolutely love this guy, no nonesense or false humility, just a great photographer and teacher.

Thanks a lot sir, very valuable information 🥰

Fantasticly honest Karl, I really enjoyed this.

Thank you!!

One of your best videos!

Cool! Thanks for the video! 📸

I have decided to watch all your videos, I know will learn a lot from you ❤️

Superb shots!

Excellent advice from someone who knows what he does.

Love your work, coupled with your clear and concise approach to teaching.... thank you

very true , all the information given by Karl absolutely true . Thanks Karl

Really a great lesson for me, thank you..

All great advice. You're a huge inspiration to me and I've learned so much. Thank you!

Yess! Amazing

Thanks so much for this Karl! You're a huge inspiration to me despite that I'm a nature photographer.

Well after a year of subscription on the Karl Taylor Education (KTE) platform, and learning from KT DVD-s a year before, I'm a better photog. then I was last year. With learning and trying, making mistakes, watching and understanding the lessons on KTE a photog. the only way is forward. One of the most important lessons is that learning and progression are to build one step at the time. On KTE there is so much knowledge that one needs a few years to try all of the examples. And not just stay focused on practical lessons, but to learn about organizing work and watch or listen to the interviews from professionals. Thanks, Karl.

Muchas gracias!

Well done, cool video!👍

thanks for the helpful tips

Love your videos. Lots of information. Great advice. Your product photography is WOW! This makes all of us watching your channel, and subscribing inspires us to do more.

Wow! Karl, what an amazing amount and quality of information you have presented in this video. Thank you.

I've been watching alot of photography videos on youtube and this guy really seems to have it dialed in. It seems like there are far more youtubers making videos on photography than there are photographers making videos on youtube.

Superb video and very nice taste and expertise .... my congrats , from Lisbon, Portugal.

Excellent content!

Thanks alot!

Thank You Sir.......

Straight to the point. No punches pulled. Appreciate your good advice.

Thankyou sir...

Superb advice!

Karl, for someone just getting into product photography and lighting being so important, what 3 lighting set-up would you recommend?

Thank you for this video! I will check out your classes!

Thank you Sir for sharing this Truth of Perfection in this Profession of Photography. This helps every individual who is looking build themselves as a Professional Photographer, I do love to implement this truth in my passion & profession of photography. Thank you Karl Taylor Sir.😊

Useful tips sir ,

I currently enrolled in your course and learned with your video since before it was subscription. I have improved so much and been doing very well because the way you teach makes it fun to learn and easy to understand. thank you so much for your lessons

Great advice Carl thanks for sharing.

Great!!!!

Excellent upload… Big Tingz

dude im 15 mins in and WOW!! Not only is this on point but really thorough for youtube. Thank you

I'm new and my heart is leading me to portraits. No where near weddings 😂😂😂. Ppl have entitlement issues when it comes to weddings. No thx.. When it comes to portraits it's more private sometimes even in a busy area. I like that and I don't wanna just shoot the typical skinny women and muscle guys. I'm willing to shoot any race, any gender, and any body size.

Tnx Karl . You Are Great man

thank you so much ! .. so useful video

First time ever to see how much can you make from a Photographer based on the kind of photography! The best advice was practice. But so much great advice.

tips from a Legend

Karl you deserve more sub mate . One of the most underrated channel . The information you providing is true gem . One point in time I thought u are monte isom.

Fun to watch you work in the Studio and see the Tools ..brings back Memories and Inspirational too !

Really good, sound and honest words Karl.

Very inspiring. TKS. ;)

Fanatic portfolio and professional advice, thank you

Excellent overview and presentation!

You are right, it is probably best to specialize in one or two areas to become experts at those first and make money there, before broadening the scope in other areas. Thanks Karl for your tutorials. I am looking at joining your website classes.

A very powerful video filled with insightful information. I don't plan to go pro even I study professional photography just for building the foundation of photography.

I'm planning to start my photography journey. This is helping me alot

Karl, I appreciate your advice in this video. I noticed that you included video snippets of various niche's. May I ask what your specialty is? And what Niche have you made the most money?

Sir, please make a video about commercial, architecture eal estate photography

It's very easy, it only took me 10 years of assisting and working on my portfolio until I had my own studio in NYC. Nowadays everyone with a cell phone thinks they can become a professional photographer because they make "pretty" pictures with it lol. My favorite is when someone calls themselves a "semi-pro"; you're either a pro or you're not. But good luck!!!

Just saw this, I am happy because I checked all of the “boxes”, well, in my mind at least,….One thing I do not agree with though, I don’t care if I make half of the money I make now, even if I have to work extra hours to make that half, photography is my passion, from the moment I wake up till the second I fall asleep, all I can think about is exposure, composition, gear and all that jazz…. To make just enough money to pay the bills would be amazing already if I get to spend my all my days making pics, I think lot of passionate photographers feel the same way….

What you recommend for everyday photography

thank you so much! merci beaucoup pour votre video

Upcoming photographer here . My niche would be headshots photo for business etc. I do well at those. I wouldn't do anything outside of that if I'm not comfortable.

I studied as a product photographer, but i have so much difficulties to find clients. I still do some work of different nature to keep me alive and pay the bills but it is really frustrating. Also in my area there aren't product photography studios if i will try to search for a job under another photographer. Sadness is over the roof.

I’m 15 and doing GCSE photography and hope to do A level photography so this is very helpful thank you

Also, another thing, don't expect that all the new things need to come from outside sources, internet, books and asking others photographers learned to figure out new things, giving solutions by your self because for sure there information that never written or said anywhere

it's gret

I’m here

Hey Karl, you mention earning figures and charging prices at the same time, so do I have to understand that the first one is (yearly) income after taxes and the second gross sales before taxes? Living in a heavy-taxed country, it can make a significant difference... Thanks ^ ^

Sir I am pradeep and I wanted to specialized in fashion photography. So give some tips on building portfolio

Awesome video 👍🏾👍🏾👌🏾👌🏾

KTE platform is money well spent... since I joined a couple years ago, not only have I learned a ton from Karl, but I am starting to go bald - so I know I am getting better!

Also what kind personality you have plays and important role but is not an easy thing to change

Great video.!!! A bit overwhelming for someone like me who wants to get into this business but my only equipment is a nikon d5600. 🤣 definently im going to check your classes

Something I'm struggling with is affording the light or finding studios. Any advice?

Hey don't be telling everyone how lucrative product photography can be. I don't want the competition lol.

I simply love the information you provide/ you have been providing throughout these years. You are one of the reasons I dared try anything new with my photography. Wish I could come and learn in person at your institute, but till that time comes I keep learning here and from your DVDs that I got some years ago !! Thanks for the channel and the Knowledge you share.

Is it necessary to hire a model to build a portfolio? I've been into photography for 2 years now, but this year I decided to make it serious as a career in fashion photography

You should make a video for clients on how to use photographers.