How does one become a photographer for magazines?
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at
12:00 pm
I want to become a photographer for either a music magazine (AP, AMP, Rolling Stone, Blender) and/or a classic car (Rod and Custom, etc.) magazine. How do I get into that field? Do I need a special degree or certificate? Are internships available?
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Tagged with: amp • blender • classic car • music magazine • photographer • rod and custom • rolling stone
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You need a good eye, creativity, imagination, and to be able to project to the viewer what you are trying to relate.
Go to school, prepare a portfolio, and present it to anybody in charge of artwork in any related field.
Make sure you have many blacks and white also. Don’t think that color photos will get you in the door easier. I judge on b/w and then the color.
The program is photojournalism, internships are available and your diploma will be an asset to your resume.
Be warned that it is often difficult to find jobs in this particular field, especially if you are specific in the magazine you want.
Try sending your portfolio to these magazines, it’s worth a shot! But experience and reputation is a must!
Join ASMP as a student member and attend all their meetings.
ASMP is the American Society of Media Photographers, but used to be called the American Society of Magazine Photographers.
Many schools have internships available to many different photo fields … studio, medical, magazine, newspaper, etc. Check with the department head and see what is available in your area.
Unless you are willing to spend years of frustration making mistakes and making them again and again, school is the quickest way to learn the skills necessary to be successful.
AP offers internships, but you have to be availabe to move to Ohio. You can find information about them on the website.
Other than that, I agree with FhotoAce.
The best way is to have a strong portfolio of work and promote yourself as much as possible. Once you have a strong portfolio you need to make appointments with the photo editors to show your work in person. Most magazines are in New York, so a trip out there is a good idea. It might help interning at a magazine to see how everything works, plus they will give you feedback on your portfolio. You don’t need a degree to be a photographer, but there is a lot you will learn by going to school for photography. You could also learn the same thing by assisting photographers who shoot for the magazines you are interested in.