How to Find Your Photographic Niche

Been trying this type of photography and that type of photography and just can't seem to settle? Well, here is how to find your niche.

Steps

1
Consider whether you are going to be a professional or a hobbyist. Some of the professional photography niches are the People Photographers, Event Photographers, Sports Photographers, and Photojournalists. The people photography is an umbrella term for all kinds of events concerning people; a birthday, a wedding, a birth, etc. While you can, of course, do more than one thing, a niche can set you apart from the others.
2
Start with what you like. Are there things that you like to see or do? Do you have any interests, no matter how off the wall they are?
- With photography, commercially, it is better to be a specialist at one, or a few, things than a jack of all trades. When clients want to hire you, they want what they perceive as the best (at least in their price range).
3
Think about what you really love to do. What could you spend all day photographing and never get tired of it?
4
Volunteer to shoot different types of events, or just go there and get some shots. Getting out there in the 'trenches' will help you separate the interests from the desires.
5
Don't be in a hurry. More than likely, your niche will appear when you aren't looking.

1
Make a list. Write down the different types of photography you have been doing under the headings of "Like and Enjoy", "Don't Care For", or some such titles. Seriously look at it and put some thought into it.
2
Look at your photographs closely. Do they seem to have a theme? Is there something that seldom changes? Maybe, it's a particular effect you are creating without realizing.
3
Ask others what they think. Sometimes, you need that "third eye" to see what you don't think. Maybe they can help you focus.
4
Create your own niche. Who says there already has to be a "niche" for you to get into?

Categories: Photography