If you're graduating from an online photography program, your degree means less than your portfolio. Clients don't ask where you studied. They are testing the quality and quantity of your work. A good portfolio is evidence that you know light, composition, and story. It attests that you know how to deliver. Produce full sessions, not highlight reels. Editors and clients want to see how you approach variety, not luck. If you are looking to get into weddings, editorial, or commercial photography, you need to produce the work you wish to be commissioned to do. Don't wait around. Build your own. Style a shoot. Work with local vendors. Photograph real people. That's how you get noticed. Product photography and personal branding are smart starting points. They're less saturated and more accessible. You gain experience, build trust, and get paid faster. Business knowledge is a non-negotiable. If you don't know how to price yourself, write a contract, or communicate expectations, you won't last. Learn how to run a client meeting. Know your boundaries. Protect your time. Most new photographers lose money because they don't treat their work as a business. What makes someone stand out is professionalism. Show up early. Be prepared. Deliver on time. Handle feedback without ego. Your gear won't save you; your reliability will. Whether you studied online or in person doesn't matter. What matters is how you work and what you deliver. That's what people remember. That's what gets you booked again.
Starting out can feel super slow, but my advice would be to never give up. Say yes to everything and get all the experience, worst case scenario you learn what you don't like doing and what you never want to do ever/photograph ever again. Really I think experience and skill level is probably most important for photographers over actual degrees. I've had a very successful career so far with no qualifications at all, so I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker. Having a strong portfolio is a huge standout. This should be 10-20 super strong images that sit cohesively together as a set that represent your style, who and what you like to photograph. I've recently been through a few portfolios choosing my wedding photographer, one image I didn't like in their portfolio and they were out. I imagine clients are the same when shopping around for a photographer for themselves as well. For me a standout trait or skill would just be the personal connection level. Having photos taken can make you feel very vulnerable, so you want to connect with the person on the other side of the camera. Make sure you know your ideal client and who you enjoy working with, you'll feel so much ease when they enquire and you chat to them and work with them going forward. I am en equine and dog photographer, which is quite niche in itself, but in particular people and their horses, or people and their dogs. Whatever genre you choose, start with a super tight niche to begin with, you'll still attract a wider range of people. I would say 80% of my success has been down to business knowledge over my actual photography skill level. I've invested and continue to invest thousands in mentorship on business (and skill of course), but without the business knowledge your skill level alone won't get you very far. You need to know how to run a business, price yourself properly and how to create an amazing client experience. The experience is above all else in my personal opinion.
Writer, photographer, fundraiser, speaker at Dion McInnis Initiatives, LLC
Answered 7 months ago
1. Two key things will separate you from competition: 1. consistent quality work (technical and vision), and 2 the ability to work with people (listening being a key skill to understanding what the customer wants). Bonus attribute: thick skin. Not everyone will like your style or approach, and that's okay. Persistence in the work and consistency in the ability to deliver will get you far. 3. Your portfolio is your voice when you don't have a chance to say anything to a potential client or employer; therefore, it should say something coherent. Be very selective of the images you choose. Some of the greatest masters of photography said they had produced very few excellent images: you don't have hundreds. One of the most important thing for a photographer is to learn the challenging work of creating an effective portfolio, just like a writer has to learn how to use sentences to tell a story. 4. Whether you are seeking employment or a client, you are looking to trade your skills to create visual solutions to their needs/challenges. Listen to understand the problem they need solved and be prepared to discuss solutions that you have in mind. It is a common concept that successful sales is showing how what you offer relieves a pain point for others. People pay for that. Listening to understand is what enables you to turn skills and vision into income. 5. The range of fields is incredible, from the generally thought of to fields such as forensic photography. A camera can take you places you never imagined. Find "places" that you want to be; find "places" where you have some knowledge about the field which enables you to provide insights, vision, solution to visual challenges. Creating images about something you have no knowledge about is a disservice to you and the client/employer...and be willing to learn about the field to be a better image-maker. Personally, I have always enjoyed working with people: portraits, public relations, etc. 6. You absolutely must learn about pricing, contracts, marketing, legal issues related to image making, copyright, selling of rights...and so much more. Whether you are freelancing or working for a studio, learn the business side to create a business, not just income, or to better understand how you fit into the structure of your employer's business.
Professional photography is a very competitive field. One must bring something unique to the profession in order to be successful. Ensure that you are passionate about the area of photography you choose to specialize in. One must ask why someone would choose me/you over someone else. The easiest way to break into photography is through events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions. The only thing that matters in photography is the quality of one's images. In the end, no one cares how you got to where you are, as long as your images are amazing. A strong portfolio is essential to showcase your specialization; otherwise, you will be overlooked. This is important to show when interviewing. As you photograph in more arenas, you will discover what you enjoy the most. It's essential to explore. For example, I do not enjoy shooting weddings. Pricing will evolve over time and with experience. There are numerous tutorials available to guide you along the way.
More then anything, what is needed for a photography student or graduate who is starting out is to build a portfolio which is unique, stands out and which demonstrates expertise in some particular field of photography. I see too many photographers whose website and portfolio show all type of photography - and this only indicates to me that they are masters of none, as each type of photography niche has its specific audience and also competences. At the start new photographers should try different areas to see which they love to work in and then make a commitment and choice. Considering the advent and recent developments of AI, I would seriously recommend photography which is related to events (which are unique and unrepeatable) and real estate. In my opinion, photographers who are starting out should seek to do as many experiences as possible with more experienced photographers they admire - as this will not only enhance their skills but also make them better understand the market, grow their network and if the experienced photographer allows them they can also use some of the photos they capture to build their own portfolio.
Award Winning Photographer, Author, and Retreat Leader at Mary Bartnikowski
Answered 7 months ago
I've photographed 725 weddings in the heart of Silicon Valley, arguably the most competitive market in the USA. Here's what I recommend. You make connections with wedding professionals who you can work with and be recommended by. Be easy to work with. Take caterers, florists, church directors and musicians out to lunch who you would like to recommend and get to know them. Do your work in a way no one else is doing it. When I started in 1985, no one in the Valley was doing candid wedding photography, I was the only one. So my business took off. I was ready; I had practiced doing candids for at least a decade. Having a degree doesn't make the difference, what matters is seeing your work as a business and doing excellent work with a pleasant personality. Shooting high end weddings is like being a professional basketball player wearing a ballgown, you have to be elegant and flexible. Do yoga, meditate, and stay calm. It's not easy but it is an incredible and rewarding way to help people.
Owner | Lead Photographer | Creative Director at Burman Photography
Answered 7 months ago
Don't wait for someone to give you permission to begin. Choose a platform, whether that's Pinterest, Instagram, or your own blog, and show up with consistency. Share your work, your thought process, and what makes you different. You will hear "no" more often than you expect, but that's part of it. Be confident in what you can deliver. In business-to-business opportunities, speak like a business owner, not just an artist. That mindset makes a big difference. I don't think the format of the degree matters much at all. What influences perception more is your portfolio, your professionalism, and your reputation. If you have strong work and solid client reviews, that speaks louder than how you got your education. A strong portfolio is essential. It is your first impression and often your only chance to stand out. Show consistency in your editing, your ability to use light well, and your unique point of view. Online students can stand out by picking one platform and committing to it. Whether you blog regularly, share to Pinterest, or post on Instagram, consistency and clarity will help you be seen. Preparedness and confidence are huge assets. You need to be able to clearly communicate your value and how you approach your work. Clients want someone who is professional, reliable, and calm under pressure. You also need to be resilient. Especially early on, you will face rejection. Don't let that shake your direction or belief in your abilities. I am drawn to wedding photography, commercial product photography, and headshots. These niches offer a mix of reactive and proactive work. You get to respond to moments while also creating intentional, styled images. They can also be both creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable once you find your rhythm. Incredibly important. I have a background in literature and education, and only took photography classes as electives. If I could go back, I might have taken a few more business classes. Marketing and accounting were especially tough to learn on the job. Understanding pricing, contracts, and communication is what helps you move from a hobbyist to a working professional. Great photos are only part of it. Running a business well is what helps you stay in the game.
As a working photographer, I can tell you—no one asks if your degree was online or in person. They care about your work. A strong portfolio is everything. Show images that match the kind of jobs you want, whether it's weddings, portraits, or product photography. If you're just starting out, do test shoots or assist other pros to build your skills. How you work with people also matters. Clients remember if you made the process easy, fun, and professional. Being reliable, a good communicator, and confident on set will make you stand out more than any credential. I have experienced this firsthand, and I have also heard from other photographers that clients prefer to work with photographers who are easy to work with. Sometimes, this is more important than the quality of your work. And don't skip the business side. Knowing how to price your work, write contracts, and market yourself is what keeps the jobs coming. Also consider niches like real estate, corporate headshots, or branding shoots—less saturated, but full of opportunity. I know it's stressful starting out, but remember this is a long game. Hang in there, keep learning, make sure you're having fun, and keep working hard to land jobs. If you stick with it when most people drop out, you can create a very profitable and enjoyable career.
My advice to new graduates is simple: shoot as much as you can. Get experience under your belt and build a large, varied portfolio, ideally one that focuses on the subjects or techniques most relevant to the area of photography you want to pursue. Whether a degree is earned online or in person really doesn't matter in this industry. What matters is your work. A strong, well-curated portfolio is by far the most crucial factor in securing a job or being selected for freelance work. The more variety and quality you can show, the more likely you are to match what a client or employer is looking for. Being a people person is especially valuable in most types of photography. And if you can demonstrate creative thinking or use of unusual techniques in your work, that's a big plus—it helps you stand out. I always say: only pursue a field of photography you genuinely love. Passion is what gets you through the hard days and long shoots. Personally, I found wedding photography to be the perfect blend of everything I enjoy—working with people, capturing places, details, emotional moments, landscapes, and experimenting with different techniques. If you're drawn to precision and lighting in a studio setting, product photography might suit you. If you thrive on energy and spontaneity, events could be a great fit. Business knowledge is essential these days. Years ago in the UK, we had Business Link to help with starting a small business, and I remember their first case study was a photography business. That kind of support doesn't really exist anymore. You need to get to grips not just with pricing, contracts, and marketing, but also with your website, SEO, networking, admin, bookkeeping, and customer systems. All of these contribute to long-term success, and they're often what separates the hobbyists from the professionals.
Clients don’t care where you got your degree. They care about the work you can deliver. A strong portfolio matters more than any credential. It’s usually the first and only thing people look at when deciding whether to hire or book you. So if your images stop someone mid-scroll, you're in. If they don’t, your resume won’t save you. For grads coming out of online programs, it’s all about building a portfolio that shows both technical skill and creative direction. So set up mock shoots. Work with stylists, makeup artists, and models. Shoot in bad lighting or cramped spaces. Because showing that you can make strong images no matter the conditions gets noticed. A lot of new photographers try to do everything. But it’s better to define your look and focus on one lane. Be clear about what kind of photographer you are. Show range within your niche, not across ten different styles. Because when you’re pitching a client or applying for a job, clarity beats general talent every time. When you’re in an interview or meeting a client, being able to explain your process matters just as much as showing your photos. So talk through how you plan a shoot, why you chose a certain lens, how you deal with tough lighting, or how you stay on schedule. Because that kind of detail shows you’re serious. Some niches are easier to break into than others. Product photography doesn’t get much hype but teaches precision and usually pays on time. Real estate is fast paced and helps you get comfortable working under pressure. Event photography builds your instincts but can be exhausting if you’re doing it all the time. Editorial work is tough to crack and relies heavily on who you know, so it takes time to build. Wedding photography is creative and emotionally rewarding, but it’s high pressure and requires serious planning skills. Knowing the business side is what keeps you going long term. So you’ve got to understand pricing, contracts, and licensing. Know your cost per client, how to keep people coming back, and what your margins look like. Because a lot of talented photographers burn out when they never figure out how to protect their time or charge what they’re worth. Focus on the work, get your business tight, and keep showing up. Because that’s what gets you hired and keeps you booked.
If your aim is to break into and industry such as wedding photography then I suggest you first build a portfolio, even if you do not have images from weddings your portfolio can consist of portraits, any events you have shot or similar. Once you have done this it's important to market yourself and your skills in the best light possible, you can do this by creating a professional website and studying search engine optimisation. I believe earning a degree online or in person makes no difference, both show you have taken time to study and invest time in the field of photography. A portfolio is very important as it showcases your style and ability, you can stand out by putting hours of practise into your craft as this will show through in your work. So study harder and practise more. There are no shortcuts unfortunately just hard work and determination. A Photography student with business sense stands out, someone who doesn't think Photography is just about creating pretty images. A lot of hard work goes into running as business so having some business sense in this field would be a bonus. Real estate photography is always in high demand, people are always selling or buying properties, approaching local estate agents would be a good start. I think this niche would give a student more time to practise and compose images unlike the pressure of a wedding. After sometime you could move onto event photography and see which appeals to you most. Each has its benefits and pitfalls so it's best to learn first hand. More than ever business knowledge is at the forefront of the Photography industry, you have to be open to learn, be consistent and determined to succeed. You need to believe in yourself and have faith. Pricing is an important aspect, it can make or break your business, if you price too high people won't buy, but priced to low and you'll be rushed off your feet and feel drained without a sense of reward, its important to strike a balance between the two. I would advise that new Photographers start with their prices low and slowly increase them over time. Contracts are important as it protects you and your clients interests, please don't over look this part and even if you write a contract yourself make sure you have one in place.