If you are charging people (“customers”) to perform photography-related services, by definition, that makes you a professional photographer. If you are a professional photographer, you owe it to yourself, your customers and the industry to master your craft.

I see too many photographers approach their work with, what appears, as the mindset that they just want to get it done. Over the years, I’ve watched many other photographers’ work without ever seeing improvement. The world is filled with photographers who get things done the fastest and the cheapest, but it needs more artists, craftsmen (and women) and photographers who are willing to improve their skill each and every time they pick up their cameras.  Everyone can become a craftsman… an artist, but not everyone is willing to make that commitment.

Master Your Photography Craft

Here are eight simple steps to help master your craft:

1. Get your camera out of the auto mode
2. Practice daily or as much as you possibly can
3. Attend professional-level workshops by accomplished instructors
4. Network with other photographers and ask questions
5. Look at others’ work and critique the images in your head
6. Critique your own work by asking yourself, “How could I have made this image better?”
7. Subscribe to photography magazines, online tutorials and forums, or electronic newsletters
8. Step outside your comfort zone OFTEN

Once or twice a year, re-evaluate your past work.  Be brutally honest with yourself. If you don’t see a noticeable improvement, keep working. Don’t settle for being “just good enough.” If you’re not consistently trying to improve, you’re doing no one a favor—honestly, you’re contributing to a degraded industry. If you’re not willing to get better, you’re getting worse.

Until next time, be positive, happy, and healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget.  As a professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I love hiking, cycling, reading, listening to Elvis and most importantly, I enjoy seeing my daughters happy!

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