I often get asked the question:” Is there a demand for photographers in our industry…?”  And the answer is always the same.  Look around you and tell me what you see?  Photos showcase absolutely everywhere from the hairsalon where you get your hair done, to the superstore where you buy your groceries right through to your favourite magazine.  Photography is everywhere you look.

You need to be comitted to being the best photographer you can be and if you are willing to put the time and effort in constantly pushing and bettering yourself you will be on your way to the top.  If photography is your absolute passion and you are considering starting a career in photography I would absolutely recommend that you start by taking a proper course in photography.  The team at Louise Diesel Photography studied at the National College of Photography (which is now part of VEGA) and has schools from PTA, to CPT to Johannebsurg.  The lecturers are a team of dedicated photographers who are all true experts in their chosen fields of photography.

They understand the passion and drive behind being a photographer and will spend afternoon after afternoon with you teaching you the craft.  After you have been taught all the technical aspects of every principle like car photography, product and food photography you your best bet is to do freelance work and find a photographer in the industry whose work you admire and become their assistant.  It might sometimes feel like a frustrating and slow process but you need to hang in there.  Remember, dream big, shoot for the moon and even if you miss you will land among the stars.

When I started working part-time whilst studying I felt that I had gained powerful insight from studying.  It truly broadened my horisons and gave me a steady structure to build on.  Best tip I can give any amateur photographer wanting to go professional is to never stop experimenting…

Riani