Tonight I found myself strolling down a marina dock in the sub-tropics with a banana dackery in one hand and a bottle of dark rum in the other.  When in Rome, right?

I’m working on a photography project for a museum in Florida right now.  The House of Refuge, a historically significant structure which played a part in the pioneering of the Southern United States as well as WWI and WWII.  Sound like a dream job to you?

Here are some tips to follow if you want to be a successful photographer!

1) Be a professional you

Photography is an art, art does not follow guidelines.  As much as you want to play dress up and run a business, don’t look like an stick in the mud idiot.  Be a comfortable you, it goes a lot further than you think.  Be punctual and be professional but you’re not in a suit and tie business, so don’t act like it.

2) Know what you’re doing

This seems self explanatory, but the hard truth is this; anyone can buy a camera, read a couple how-to’s online and start calling themselves a photographer.  Being a real photographer is a lot more involved.  Find a niche and run with it, keep taking photos until you discover a pattern in your photographs.  That pattern is the foundation for your style, build on that!  It will make your photos distinguishable and unique.

3) Scope your locations

There will come a time when you have to shoot at a location you’re not familiar with.  Get there early, walk around, check the best backgrounds and angles.  In general, the best lighting is produced during the golden hours, which is right after sunrise and right before sunset.

4) Have the right gear

Don’t show up to a photo shoot with a Sony Sureshot and a plastic Big-5 tripod.  Make sure you have the right gear for the shoot.  If you’re doing an adventure sport shoot, have the right equipment.  Same goes for you wedding photographers.  Do your research before you buy and be sure to rent lenses before purchasing.  There are lots of options, so make sure to try gear and buy what you use the most.

5) Networking is king

This is the most important part of being a photographer.  Networking means future jobs and the ability to command higher rates.  So remember, meet, greet, and make friends!