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An underwater photographer earns a regular income by taking pictures of people, pets, and animals. They can also work for themselves and find clients to sell their photographs to. Though underwater photographers earn a decent income, they do not always have a choice in the subjects they photograph.
This article aims to help you get started on your career as an underwater photographer. You should also check out our guide on how to start with underwater photography.
If you are considering a career as an underwater photographer, then you must first consider how to make money from your hobby. In order to make money, you must sell your photos.
This means you need to dive for free to acquire experience, edit your photos quickly, and pray that your customers will enjoy the photographs you produce. Some dive shops will pre-sell your photos so you can practice, build your portfolio, and make money.
Getting a job as an underwater photographer is not easy, and it will require a lot of hard work and dedication. You must have the skills necessary to dive in order to take underwater pictures, including excellent buoyancy and camera handling. You must also have a deep understanding of the ocean and the underwater creatures. You should also have knowledge of underwater habitats and be able to anticipate their behaviors. By learning as much as you can about these creatures and their environments, you'll be able to work efficiently in the field.
If you are an amateur photographer or a professional in a competitive sport, you may be wondering what basic equipment is needed to take great photos underwater. Here are some basics:
For underwater photography, you need to invest in a waterproof camera. There are many types of action cameras, including GoPros, and these are increasingly becoming waterproof. Cameras with rigid-flex printed circuit boards (RPCBs) are a great choice for underwater photography. These allow manufacturers to create more compact, powerful devices by using unconventional-shaped casings. Point-and-shoot cameras and DSLRs are both excellent choices for underwater photography. If you have an iPhone 12, read if you can take underwater pictures with iPhone 12.
The final step in underwater photography is post-processing. There are many things you can do to improve the quality of your photos, including removing backscatter, cropping images for better composition, adding filters, and increasing contrast and brightness. The equipment used for underwater photography can be expensive, and you will have to maintain it for many years to come. But, it is worth it in the end. A good camera is only half the battle. And you'll also need a decent lighting source.
There are several avenues an underwater photographer can pursue. If you enjoy taking pictures of exotic locales, you may want to specialize in certain locations. For example, you can shoot underwater wrecks and ruins or capture marine life. For additional exposure, you can submit your photographs to companies that specialize in those areas. However, before you start applying for jobs, you should learn more about the technical aspects of photography. Using a DSLR camera can help you acquire more experience and boost your skills.
A good way to earn a living as an underwater photographer is to create an online portfolio. You can showcase your work through a custom photo website. Dive businesses and dive guests will want to see your work. You can also set up a portfolio on online sites like SmugMug and sell your images on stock photography sites. You can also sell photos and videos on photo websites like Pixabay and Unsplash.
If you are an underwater photographer, you may be wondering what taxes are associated with the hobby. In Mexico, sales tax is enforced by state laws, and you may be charged a hefty amount when you bring your equipment into the country. It is easy to see why this is an issue, because sales tax on expensive photography equipment can quickly add up. For example, a midrange DSLR underwater camera housing is about $10k, which means a total of $600 to $800 in sales tax is attached to the entire purchase.
As for income taxes, underwater photographers are earning money doing a job. Therefore, they're also subject to paying state and federal taxes, at least in the United States that is. In fact, anyone in the underwater photography field is welcome to file a federal tax return completely free. Moreover, as an underwater photographer you are responsible for keeping diligent records of incoming revenue, and outgoing expenses. You might even be able to claim any gear necessary for the job as a tax-deductible expense, ultimately lowering your overall taxable income.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nurlana Alasgarli
Content Specialist
Nurlana Alasgarli is a professional copywriter with more than 6 years of creative writing experience. Having lived and experienced all over the world, there are many writing genres that Nurlana follows, including adventure, outdoor and water sports. Nurlana brings life to content creation, captivating her readers.
