Like most modern professions, photography is no longer as simple as going out with a nice camera and snapping some good pictures to sell. In order to find real success as a professional, a photographer will need to specialise in some way by finding a branch of photography that they’re best at and then honing their skill on that specific specialisations.

There are plenty of different ones to pursue, each offering a unique type of work that, while fundamentally the same as many of the others, requires a unique set of skills and equipment to accomplish. Here we will look at the most common photography specialisations new photographers will want to get into.

Wedding Photography

Weddings are a special time for the bride and groom, as well as their families, and capturing all of unique moments is why many wedding photographers ask for a big payment. It’s a specialisation that’s worth looking into, and allows for more of a freelance, independent approach to photography that many other branches can’t offer. Having a video recorder and some videography experience is a serious boon to anyone that wants to take it as seriously as possible.

Photojournalism

This is a specialisation that’s aimed at those that like to be out in the streets or in war zones, telling a visual story through their imagery. It’s quite an in-depth field of work to break into, requiring skills not just in photography, but interviewing, writing, editing, reporting, and much more. It also often requires a never-ending desire to always find and report on the truth, and can even be a dangerous professional for those following political events or in combat zones.

Wildlife Photography

The photographer with a deep love of the natural world will want to pursue this branch as it boasts a true close-up of nature in all its beauty. It’s also a specialisation that can very much depend on being extremely patient, a good wildlife image can sometimes take days and days of waiting, although the reward is often worth it. Finding work is usually not that difficult, where it will most often be offered by conservation agencies, travel magazines, or simply as a freelancer, along with plenty of awesome bonuses, such as global travel.

Advertising

Advertising has become one of the largest, most profitable industries on the planet, so it makes sense that being a part of it would be a strong career move. Here, a strong knowledge of marketing is a definite must, and the photographer will be able to garner work from public relations firms, studios, advertising agencies, and more. It can take a few years of hard work and experience before any decent money begins to roll in, but once it does, it quickly makes up for the years of foundational work that needs to be put in.

Stock Photography

Lastly, for the photographer that would prefer to remain as freelance as possible, stock photography might be the best option. It involves taking stock images of a wide range of different subjects, and then reselling them at a set price. These images will then be used in various industries, and allows the photographer to build up an impressive portfolio.