It is not every day that you get the likes of David Koonar to visit you. David Koonar, a professional Canadian photographer and entrepreneur, visited us and shared many insights about his life and photography.

As a photographer, David has crossed so many borders. From innumerable real estate photography shoots to model shoots, working his way to achieve an extensive social media presence, David Koonar sets the bar high for how a professional photographer should be perceived.

We got the chance to ask David Koonar five questions on photography, and he was more than happy to share his experience with us.

What are the 3 Basic Rules a Rookie Photographer Should Know?

Photography takes a lot of hard work. I say it a lot of times to rookies, photography is beyond handling a camera and taking shots. The art takes a lot of practice, consistent shooting and drive.

If you do not have a passion for photography, you have no business in the industry. Take your time to understand the ropes.

Focus on Skill When Starting. As a beginner, you should not focus on the money. If your photographs are any good, clients will contact you.

Every single moment in a person’s life is picture-perfect. Death, the birth of a child, baby shower, business listings, real estate listings, and many life occasions will warrant hiring a photographer. If you harness your skills, the sky is the limit for you.

A beginner Photographer should be willing to do free shoots: Free shoots are essential to your catalog. When starting, you need lots of amazing pictures to showcase to potential clients. It would also help if you took a lot of shoots to harness your photography and editing skills.

Is it Better to Edit Pictures Oneself or to Hire a Professional Editor?

I have met great photographers who are not-so-great editors. I have also met excellent editors who cannot professionally handle a camera.

Of course, there are all-around photographers that can take pictures and edit by themselves. If you are a weak editor, you may need to hire a professional editor’s services and share your income with them.

Do not be too concerned about income—as client satisfaction is more important.

Tell us a Little about Real Estate Photography.

As a real estate photography, I’ve learned that is not like every other type of photography. For starters, you are taking shots of a place meant for listing. With real estate photography, your job is to highlight the most critical parts of the property—and do so beautifully.

What are the Things to Consider When Planning for a Real Estate Photography Shoot?

The most important thing to consider is the lighting. Lighting is vital to any form of photography. When going for a real estate shoot, ensure you take sufficient light because you will be shooting a wide area.

Next is to get insurance. This is to ensure that you are insured before going for a real estate photography shoot. Accidents can happen in another—and it gets worse when it happens on another person’s property. A professional photographer should always stay safe, secured, and insured.

How to Get Jobs as a Photographer

Photography and social media cannot exist independently. If you are a photographer, you must explore social media—especially Instagram. Share adorable and beautiful pictures and ensure that you consistently promote your page.

Talk to your Contacts! Your contacts may never know that you are a photographer if you do not tell them. Post frequent status updates of you while you do your magic on the camera. You do not need to ask them to hire you. They only need to know that you are a fantastic photographer.