Since the development of photography nearly two centuries ago, we have used the camera to document important personal milestones, public events, and art. In business, we have grown into a highly visual society that uses photographic images to sell products, services, and political messages. Traditional photography uses light-sensitive film to produce negatives or slides that can be used to make prints. Increasingly, professional and commercial photographers are switching to digital cameras. These devices allow for near instant availability of high-resolution images in electronic form for use on web sites and in printed advertisements and catalogs. An image file can be transmitted over the Internet to a client just moments after it has been taken. As a digital photographer you’ll need to become proficient in the use of photographic editing software and Internet transmittal of files to clients or to service bureaus for printing.
In doing this job, you’ll need a capable camera with interchangeable lenses or a high-quality zoom lens. For conventional photography you’ll need to work with a professional photo lab to produce negatives, slides, and prints. For digital photography you’ll need a high-resolution digital camera, sufficient memory cards for storage, and access to a computer that has photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. If you will be supplying prints, you’ll need access to a high-quality printer, or you’ll need to work with a service bureau that can convert electronic files to prints.
You can charge an hourly rate plus the cost of film, prints, and other expenses; you should be able to purchase supplies and photo darkroom or printing services at wholesale or discounted prices and resell them at retail rates. Another business plan is to offer a package price for a set number of hours and services, and then charge for each print or for use of your electronic files.