New Feature: Commercial Photographers In Chicago

Photography can be many areas of study: a technical ability, an artistic practice, a historical evolution, a theoretical or conceptual framework, or support for practises in other fields. Here at Local Business Watch, we admire a man who uses it as a commercial venture in the windy metropolis of Chicago.

More on his excellent work later, but first…

Interested in a Career in Photography?

Many professional and corporate photographers will tell those pursuing a career in photography that technical abilities are the easiest part of the job and that they are insufficient to establish a successful career serving the local business community. University career counsellors may advise aspiring photographers to concentrate their studies on illuminating what they have to say about the world and, to a lesser extent, how to transform that into a sustainable career or business. Most commercial photographers are freelancers that work for a variety of clients and have a variety of duties to complete each day.

Although a corporate photographer’s business is distinct from a commercial photographer’s, the career path will most likely be similar: years of assisting and gaining expertise before launching my own. Focusing on a speciality that best suits one’s talents and primary interests might be an excellent beginning point for such a business. This can help with something completely unrelated to photography: creating a network of relationships with a possible client base to support a regular flow of business initiatives. Most photographers specialise in corporate portraits, architecture, advertising, or promotional content.

Careers as flashy fashion photographers or art stars, daring status quo-challenged photojournalists or documentary filmmakers are not for everyone. Teaching at universities or working in support jobs is still possible in the digital era, as are careers as photo editors, retouchers, printers, curators, designers, and archivists. We know that many of our readers are interested in photography. The resources listed below can assist you in turning a side hustle into a career.

Professional Photographers’ Resources

Professional Photographers of America: Founded in 1880, the PPA now boasts over 26,000 members from 54 nations. Photographers can study for and take the CPP test to get a professional credential demonstrating to employers that their abilities satisfy particular standards and ethics.

The National Press Photographers Association was created in 1946, with the publication of the inaugural issue of National Press Photographer. The NPPA is dedicated to professional advocacy and continuous education for journalists and photographers. Members get individual insurance and product savings, are listed in the Find a Photographer directory and receive a subscription to News Photographer magazine.

Kelby Media Group launched the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), situated in Oldsmar, Florida. Professional software courses, members-only forums, Photoshop User Magazine, webcasts, and an online photo support service are all available to subscribers.

The APA’s three core purposes are advocacy, continuing education, and defining professional standards for photographers in the United States. Members receive discounted commercial insurance rates, individual APA newsletters, training manuals, and discounts. The APA is headquartered in San Francisco and has six regional chapters across the country.

Fundamentals of Digital Image and Video Editing: This course delves into the fundamental tools and techniques for creating and editing digital images. Students will study the image and video enhancement, editing, and manipulation techniques for creative, scientific, and commercial uses.

Seeing Through Images: This course invites students to examine photographs in the MoMA collection critically. The topics covered include the distinction between photographs and photographic images, how the context of an image influences its creation, photography as a form of communication, and historical storytelling through photographs.

Cameras, Exposure, and Photography: Students will learn about all elements of traditional and digital cameras, equipment, and accessories in this course. Instructors will assist students in selecting the appropriate camera to produce the desired photographs. Trans Asia Photography Review: Faculty from Hampshire College, the University of Wellington, and the University of Jamia edit this worldwide periodical. TAP editions are produced twice a year and include photography from Asia. Previous pieces have included analyses of Ai Weiwei’s work, studies of the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts in New Delhi, and a description of Harvard University’s archive-gathering techniques.

Photography Journals That Can Help A New Photography Business

Philosophy of Photographic: This worldwide publication publishes essays on photography theory, techniques, critical perspectives, and philosophy. This journal is published twice a year and edited by an editorial board comprised of representatives from various academic institutions worldwide.

The Journal of Mass Communication and Journalism emphasises the role of photography in new media. Research articles, reflections, case studies, book reviews, and opinion pieces on mass communication and journalism are welcome. Every two months, a new issue is released. The editorial board comprises professional journalists and educators from Rome, Egypt, the United Kingdom, and many states in the United States.

The Open Arts Journal publishes articles, reviews, and research papers on the visual arts. This publication is produced twice a year and is edited by an editorial board comprised of numerous Open University faculty members.

Photojournalist Robert Capa survived five wars to depict warfare in stunning detail through his images. This is his memoir about his time as a professional documentary photographer during WWII.

Learning to See Creatively: Bryan Peterson’s trendy book discusses how people’s opinions fluctuate. You have to know how to seek to find a wealth of ideas. Peterson’s book teaches you how to apply your creativity at work.

LensCulture: This Paris-based online magazine is well-known among professional photographers for its yearly awards ceremonies, such as the LensCulture Student Photography Awards and the LensCulture International Exposure Awards. Submissions are accepted in various categories, including Fine Art, Urban, Alternative Process, Still Life, Festivals, and Portraits. Book reviews and interviews with professional photographers are also published in the magazine.

Nature Photographers is the official publication of the Natural Photographers Network, a professional nature photography group. Flora, Birds, Environmental Photojournalism, Wildlife, and Human Interactions with Nature are among the galleries included in the magazine.

Featured Local Business: Chicago Photographer Barry Butler

Self-taught Barry Butler, a commercial photographer in Chicago, began his career more than 20 years ago. He has photographed worldwide, but his images of Chicago are his most well-known. WGN-TV reporter Mike Lowe dubbed him “Chicago’s Picture Poet.” His work has appeared on television, in books, in advertisements, and on the covers of music CDs, among other places.

Not only do his photos appear in local and national news every day, but Barry has also appeared on the Weather Channel, CNN-Espanol, WGN-TV, iHeartRadio Chicago, WBBM-AM Newsradio, Fox 32 Chicago, WGN-Radio 720, National Public Radio WBEZ, WLS-AM, CBS-2 Chicago, ABC-7’s Windy City Live, WCIU-TV, to name a few.

In a survey for 2021, readers of the Chicago Reader newspaper named Barry “Chicago’s Best Photographer.” His work has been praised by the Huffington Post and Thrillist as “some of the best photography in Chicago.”

“Chicago, A City Above All,” Barry’s debut photography book, will be released in July 2020. It has almost 100 images of Chicago.
The book is divided into four sections: “Light,” “Drama,” “Spirit,” and “Flow.” His photographs depict breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, views along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, how the city celebrates holidays and sports, and the city’s changeable weather. In August 2022, Navy Pier commissioned Barry to create “Water Brings Life to Chicago,” a 16-month photo exhibition highlighting the Chicago area’s water system.

Barry is also on Facebook, Twitter (follow him by clicking on his profile image above), and Instagram, where he posts photos from his day. In a helicopter photographing Chicago, you can try to capture him on the ground, on top of buildings, or in the air. He frequently researches venues or works behind the camera in Chicago with his helpers, Chopper and Tuskar.

More of Mr Butler’s numerous media appearances can be found by searching Google Maps for “Barry Butler Photography” and visiting his website’s In The News section.

Barry Butler is today’s featured ‘Use Your News’ business on Local Business Watch. That’s right, Barry!

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