The MINIMUM Requirements to be a PRO Photographer 

If you want some super pro tips of drinks photography, take a look at this www.tinhouse-studio.com/product/drink-photography-101/

Your recent videos have been invaluable to me. Especially the technique, but also the business side. This content is seriously fantastic. Thank you so much.

Great video. I am an art curator, so I am glad when the importance of visual culture is acknowledged, there are way too many "gearheads" on RU-vid photography channels. PS I didn't know pro photographers overspent on gear; I thought it was a syndrome affecting cashed-up enthusiasts

I would love some recommendations for reading material regarding color theory and past art to study. I've only read through two color theory books - one of which goes into the science of colors and I found it quite interesting academically (Color Psychology and Color Therapy: A Factual Study of the Influence of Color on Human Life). My only other notable material for color theory has been following work by Joanna Kustra (she has an hour long video here on YT) and some retouching courses that briefly talk about it when color grading.

Well, I learned a lot but “Mood Hoover” is my favorite 🥰 pick up. Thank you for your wisdom on true photography, much respect 🙏🏼

"MOOD HOOVERS" - LOVE IT!

Thanks for the input, Scott. Being in the business for almost 10 years, I totally agree on everything. However, there is something I'm missing here. Things about profiling on social media, online presentation of yourself as a photographer, Google ads etc. Nowadays, I believe that's maybe even more important than ever... I'd like to hear your take on that. Perhaps in another video?

I would really like a deeper dive into aesthetic. It's a really amorphous subject.

A surprising refreshingly excellent video. Because you did not talk about bare minimum gear. Loved the importance placed on colour theory and composition from art and design. And, knowing the history of the image and current trends.

Exceptionally pragmatic and objective. It is much appreciated.

Color theory is pretty fascinating. I took quite a bit of it in college both with my art degree and my psychology degree. I wish my schools had more to offer that was a deep dive into that. Literally one shade off can change the whole mood of a person. The thing I disagree with in terms of wedding photography is this… You’re working in a fast paced environment where you’re expected to deliver 800-1500 images most the time. It’s extremely hard to get even half of those within a good parameter of a good color palette. AND perfect composition. AND expression. Clients can be very demanding in their expectations of their gallery. Personally, I’m thrilled with myself if I get 50 images from the shoot that are zingers. Yes, you can add gels and manipulate your lights and this or that. But, while you’re doing that…you’re missing moments that your client wants to have. Would love to be one of those photographers who deliver 200 images for a wedding. Idk how they work that. Must be nice. So my question is this… How do you establish parameters within your own business while competing with all the others that promise the moon for half your cost? Some of us have to take these jobs on to keep an income going and that requires bending over backwards for potential clients to sell the work.

Great video as usual. Maybe a recommended reading list would make a good video

Something that you touched on in the video that I feel I have to add to, since the in camera tech ability has changed with the new mirrorless evolution, I now feel that the gap to the Pro's who had to know what they were doing in Motorsport photography and focus stacking with landscapes etc has now gone. The modern generation of Cameras xt4, R6 etc now allow complete novices to take images that are pin sharp or have a perfect sharpness throughout the frame in the case of landscapes, without doing the years of hard slog with a DSLR to learn the game. Even if your using a tilt shift lens on a still life image the camera will now tell you if you have it correctly focused. Yes you still have to have a personality that Clients gell with and lighting knowledge, but someone who can read camera instructions and is competent with lightroom can produce images that pro's with a DSLR would of had to work hard for 10 years ago.

Great synopsis. Obviously the core theme also applies to just being a better photographer, not solely in the context of being a pro. I’m a hobbyist, but just about all of what you say here is good advice for me (other than maybe the business bit. Although …).

A really nice summary.

Hmm nice to hear you saying a lot of this, I originally came from an art background as an illustrator, decided to go into design as I figured I had a lot more chance of making it as a designer than an illustrator, but this background has always given me an aesthetic edge when it came to design and photography, and doing design for print has also given me a head start as I am fully conversant in all the software required for editing images, as an old fart so been doing this for an age, always hired in photographer's for many years but now my hobby has and is taking a step forward. The thing I struggle with a bit sometimes having been around for quite a wile is nailing down what area I am actually better in as I have obtained a large skill set over the years.

Mood Hoovers, i like that i always called them emotional vampires.

Scotch eggs? No, no, no, unsubscribed! lol j/k. Solid work. Love the orange, brown, red, gold, shadow, light, glass play at the end, I stopped and simply stared for quite awhile.

Ouch! But you are so right!

'Mood Hoover'... Love it!!! That's so true.

Mint video sir, A.I. is doing some of the technical it is the creative that is blossoming the real value the stuff you have to work at everyday, every minute!

Thank you for your valuable input! You mentioned location at the end of this video, and you already may have made a video about it but what are your pros and cons of setting up a small studio for food or portrait photography?

Maybe you are inundated by questions answered in this video. They were well and thoughtfully answered. More interestingly than I thought they would be. Still, I prefer your how to videos, or your gear videos. No, I’m not a pro, and nearing 77, not likely to become one. But, I sure do like learning about aesthetics of photography. Wasn’t covered in the Electrical Engineering curriculum 50 years ago! At least there are many technical skills I am comfortable with and still like learning about lighting and composition. Stay well.

Hello! Thank You for heads up! Brilliant ! Cheers

now in digital and LED era, I think is also mandatory to know theory and editing technic regarding white temperature AND SPECTRUM to understand light quality, unless you only work with flash or natural light. And still is very usefull thing to learn.

It would be great to get some advice about finances. especially how and when to upgrade, in regards to both work itself and business finances

Hi Scott - here for some reading material around art and design if you may. Discovered your channel and watching all your vids. Love seeing your own progression and advice. Keep doing you!

Mood hoovers. Love it. Have met a few.

On the subject of a bitter person angry at the world, in this 1944 novel, "A Bell for Adano," there is an old, bitter portrait photographer who hates everyone and tells them how ugly they are as he takes their picture. I loved how inventive that was for a character.

Great video this is the first time I have ever heard of collimated light. So I looked it up, and I’m still not sure I get it.

Hi, frow what you say I understood that my art degree was not a complete waste of time only it's far from enough and there are key aspects to be studied.

I have mastered my camera and its functions. Im great with strobe and mixing with ambient, but a lot of these terms im not really familiar with. Time to deepen the knowledge.

mood hoover lol!!!!

Do you think an art degree (i studied fine art painting) is as usefull as a photography one, considering the fundamentals of visual communication is the same, only the technical medium is different? It's been something waying on my mind and making me doubt if I should go back to school specifically for photography, or just practice with the years of traditional art knowledge and design (since now I work as a graphic designer )

See that Art degree was worth it after all 😂 I get color, I get composition and had great instructors.

Any recommendations on art & design books?

Got got, need, got, got, need, need, got, got, got, need. hehehe. Thanks for the tips, good advice.

I don' do this but I have always wondered, as a photographer, surely you can buy anything you like and then take a test shot of it and then expense it.

I know cock all about colour theory - but I have been a Pro for 35 years - what have I done wrong? - I need to know

well Said Sir!!!

any pieces of information about a pro sports photographer, to focus on a single sports area or more? regards!

Do you have any books on design or art that you personally recommend?

I hope the people know that these strict rules and guidelines aren’t all true and have to be followed. Don’t put yourself in a box.. get out and shoot. knowledge is key but don’t follow what this guy says you “need” to do and you can’t be successful without what he says.

The bar to entry has never been lower for a photographer and now anyone with a camera can call them self a pro

a client who will pay you to take a photograph !

I dont know anything but i have to believe a lot of photographers are making a living without knowing the history of art and all the theory.

1 lighting 2 color theory 3 greating 4 composition Aesthetic history of art and culture trends Business What you can and what you can’t buy Organizing And backup Communication

👏👏👏👏👏

As a non binary person I really appreciate you saying “businessperson” inclusive language means a lot, and is a direct tie in to your video on privilege.

If this is the “minimum” to be a “Pro” Photographer! There is almost NONE! Pro Photographer’s

So, you discriminate against people who may have depression or other emotional disorders, got it.

I really like and respect your knowledge but I must play back so many times because you speak so fast fast and your words are slurred. Could you please slow down your speaking and enunciate your words?