What does a photographer do on a typical day?

Running a photography business might be something you have always dreamed of…but what does a photographer actually do on a typical day?

If you’re going to invest in your skills and achieve your goal of becoming a professional photographer, you might want to know what your new routine could look like! 

However, it’s useful to know there’s really no such thing as an “average” day as a photographer of any kind, as shoot days are all dependent on your client’s brief. But, if you are not on an active shooting day, your routine may follow a similar pattern. One that allows you to stay creative & productive while managing the essential administration involved in running a thriving studio. 

So let’s run you through a day in the life of a photographer!

Non Shoot Days:

Morning – It’s usually time to hop on to the most urgent tasks, which could include those all-important emails and general admin tasks. Whether it’s sending invoices, replying to client queries or sending out call sheets for an upcoming shoot. 

Mid-morning – This may allow some time for other general tasks that are important to a thriving studio. Usually, this involves updating your portfolio with recent shoots, updating your social media profiles and uploading to your YouTube channel or any other educational portals you might be using to further your studio’s brand. Finding time for this work is hugely important to help you find new clients and update existing ones with your latest creative work. 

Lunch – Every worker needs to take a break, and many photographers use their lunch break to get creative. They might take a walk and find some inspiration in the world around them, network with other professionals over a bite to eat, or scope out new locations in their local area. Meeting with professionals with complementary skills is a fantastic way to grow a photography business, forming partnerships with makeup artists, wedding planners, event managers or videographers.

Early Afternoon – This time is a great time to speak to clients and plan shoots, once the morning’s administration is out the way. This could include face to face meetings, client calls and location scouting with larger companies. You might also use this time to order any prints and framework that clients have purchased after they’ve chosen their final shots.

Late Afternoon – If it’s a good weather day, then you might just be hitting the golden hour! So you could head out for an afternoon walk and take your camera with you for some all-important creative experimentation. 

On a shoot day, you’ll likely be working long hours and have some early starts, spending the day making sure your clients get the shots they need. So these studio days are a great way to decompress, organise and experiment.

Shoot Days:

On the shoot – Depending on the location and weather, you’ll be using your expert knowledge to set up the kit and lighting in the right way to achieve a client’s vision. 

You’ll also check and double-check your equipment, making sure that everything will work seamlessly for the day ahead. You’ll also be meeting the other creatives involved in the shoot, such as models, stylists and assistants, and forming a plan of action. Then it’s time to flex those creative muscles and shoot!

After the shoot – Now is the time to back up everything, to be sure your hard work hasn’t gone to waste. Then you’ll begin to sort through the photos you have taken, and begin to organise and streamline the options you will show to the client. Then you’ll get down to editing, to present the client with exciting finished shots. You may do this on the day if the shoot was short, or if it’s been a long day you might choose to do this as part of your non-shoot day routine.

How do I become a photographer?

Has this article piqued your interest, and are you now wondering how do I get started in photography? 

First of all, you’ll need training. To be able to bring a client’s vision to life, you’ll need a foundation of knowledge, experience and expertise in all areas of composition, lighting and the technical aspects of your equipment. If this is what you need, look no further than our Professional Photography Course.

This course has been specifically designed for over 15 years of development to be THE Professional Photography Certificate on the market! We will take you from beginner, hobby photographer to confident professional, teaching you the fundamentals of lighting, aperture, shutter speed, composition and colour. 

From there you’ll be equipped with a full understanding of the post-production process, as well as embarking on a detailed study of different kinds of photography – including wildlife, food, journalism & more!

And if you want to know how to maximise your studio’s potential, then you’ll be interested in our Photography Business Course. Designed to help you consolidate your creativity with essential business skills, you’ll learn how to put together a professional portfolio, negotiate your costs with clients and present your sales pitch.

And to stay ahead of the competition, continue to grow & stay on top of trends, you’ll need social media marketing training. That’s why we’ll provide you with a solid foundation in how to maximise your photography presence online so that potential customers can see your advertising and be inspired by your creativity.

As our photography courses are taught online, our experts are ready whenever you are. You’ll have 24/7 access and full tutor support, so you’ll be learning when and how it suits you with us by your side every step of the way. Our payment plans also start at just $25 a week, with the option to add a DSLR to your package too. So you can prepare for your future in manageable ways, as well as start honing your skills from day one. 

Then, once qualified, you may finally be wondering…how much money does a photographer make a year? In New Zealand, the average photographer earns around $70,00 per year. And as you gain experience, this could rise to $85,000 or higher. The sky’s the limit!

If you want to know more about the life of a photographer, and how you can make it yours, feel free to speak to our helpful team. They can guide you on the best photography course to suit your needs and goals, as well as answer any queries you might have. We’d love to hear from you!