How to Begin Commercial Photography Journey? A Simple Guide

In today’s world, where everything has an edge, companies demand that their products look different and attractive for marketing purposes. That’s where commercial photographers come in to save the day and deliver outstanding photos for marketing. Many budding photographers would want to explore the field of commercial photography, but you might be confused about the work that can be done in this field. This article is for every photographer that wants to work commercially with big brands. Let’s dive right into it.

What is Commercial Photography?

Just like any other business, photography that can put money in your pocket is commercial photography. Clicking photos that can sell and be used in the business world are commercial. Many photographers click images for their passion, while some photographers do that professionally. Most photographers capture the photos for advertisement purposes, and that is all about commercial photography. This profession can be a full-time thing or a part-time thing, and it completely depends on the photographer. One can make a decent living if one wants to enter the world of commercial photography.

Talking about the nature of the job, clients tend to have a heavy hand. When a typical shoot takes place, the commercial photographer is bound to work with the guidelines set by the brand and have to get the shots approved.

Let’s talk about some fields which you might want to explore in the world of commercial photography.

What Are the Commercial Photography Examples?

Today, they are countless products that you can advertise, and this gives you a wide range of commercial photography niches. You can photograph anything as long as you can sell it. Talking about that, there as some very popular niches in this field.

Food/Drink Photography

If a photo of food made you think that you are hungry, then the commercial photographer who clicked that photo did the job successfully!

Food and Drink Photography is among the most common and popular niches of commercial photography. Restaurants and other food businesses pay a bunch load of money to a photographer to click the images of their food that can be used for advertisement and printing on the menu. Sometimes as a commercial food photographer, you will work with a food stylist to make the food look absolutely amazing for the photo that will sell. Food photos are often used in menu displays or certain culinary magazines. If you can create appetizing images of the dishes, you will get some big bucks in your pocket when your images bring business to the restaurants.

Fashion Photography

Who doesn’t love clicking pictures of a model that has fashionable outfits! This niche of photography is very popular and luxurious. If you own a studio, then you can try this niche and excel easily. Even if you have no studio, you can pursue fashion photography because many shoots can be done outdoors. If you can click photos that show the outfit in a way that is sure to sell, then you have done a great job as a fashion photographer.

Being a fashion photographer, you must be aware of the poses that you want your models to do. You must also know how to make the clothing shine. As a fashion photographer, you will grow exponentially. Gucci and Versace are great brands, but what makes them look good? The photographer who clicked the photographs of their product. You can be the next photographer to work for these big fashion brands.

Architecture & Real Estate Photography

You might have seen the images of flats and apartments on the front page. Those images are shot by a professional architectural photographer. This niche can be very lucrative among others if you are passionate about commercial photography.

These images are taken with the sole purpose of selling properties or displaying the impressive nature of these properties. If you are thinking of pursuing a career in real estate photography, you must have complete knowledge about the things like ambient lighting.

Product Photography

The term “product” can sound redundant, but it needs to be addressed. It covers a major portion of commercial photography.

From skincare to cars, almost everything you can think of falls in this category. If a company is trying to sell some product, it needs to be photographed for advertisement. In such shoots, you rely highly on the backdrops. Still, some of the products, like cars, can be photographed outside.

How to Get Started in Commercial Photography?

Now that you know what are the different niches of commercial photography. It is time to get into the business. Before stepping into it, we have some tips that will come in handy when you start getting clients and work starts to flow in your direction.

• Be a well-rounded photographer

In product photography, you are often given an upper hand, but soon it is cut short as per the client. Suppose you have given a product to photograph and the condition are some tight shots so that product stands out. To do this, you have to make a backdrop and nail the lighting to avoid reflection (unless it is intentional).

Most of the clients will be open to seeing your vision of their product. It is the time when you can impress your client by putting forward the shots that can make the product pop out.

• Every angle matters

Seeing things from eye level, everyone sees the same. Change the angle, and you’ll see something never seen before. A slight change in angle will change the look and feel of the product. Have you ever seen a product that has been shot head-on? No, because to get drama, you cannot shoot a head-on. Variation in angles can create the drama needed for a successful advertisement campaign.

To train yourself, take a first shot of the desired object like an everyday photo. Next, try photographing the same object from various angles and see how they feel and the personality of the object change.

• Set the mood

When shooting a product, setting the mood of the scene can make a big difference. For instance, if a client wants you to photograph coffee beans, you need to set the mood that compliments the coffee beans. You can’t just click the coffee beans lying on the table with blurred background. Instead, use some props and artificial light that bring out the details in coffee beans.

• Camera equipment

To get the best out of the product in the photo, it must be detailed and eye-catching. It can be only done if you have the right equipment. For commercial and product shoots, tripods are as essential as a camera. With a tripod, you will achieve stability that can help you get a detailed shot of your product. For close-up images, you can use a macro lens and get closer and capture one enticing photo for the client.

• Right Composition is the key

How well you compose your image will make all the difference. The goal is to steal the attention of the viewers, and what is better than the composition to do that. To play the composition card, arrange your product in a way that all props around it guide the eyes towards the product. Rule of thirds is a great rule of composition, to begin with.

• Editing

You took some great shots, congratulations! But the work is half done. You need to edit to bring out the ultimate product photo that will entice the viewers. Apart from being a great photographer, you need to learn some editing software to produce great images that can help you grow as a commercial and product photographer.

This rewarding career is something that a lot of photographers want to try. Given the opportunity, if you land your first project, follow the tips and live a lucrative life following your passion as a photographer. Commercial photography deals with a lot of creative ways to sell a product. So, if you think you are a creative person, then this field is for you. Pick up the camera, set the tripod, and shoot the product for high-value clients.

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