Essential Advice for a Successful Photography Career

Sinéad Murphy, Lecturer of the Professional Diploma in Creative and Commercial Photography at Griffith College Professional Academy, gives insight into how to excel in your photography career.

Beyond technical ability, what soft skills or mindset shifts are essential for building a sustainable photography career?

 
Curiosity and people skills are just as important as knowing your camera. You need to be adaptable, willing to learn, and able to really listen to clients and collaborators. A good photographer can take a great shot, but a great photographer can make people feel comfortable, read a room, and work well under pressure. Making sure people are comfortable and have a good experience is an important skill to have.

What role do lighting and post-production play in separating good work from professional-grade work?

Lighting and editing are where the magic happens. Even a strong composition can fall flat without the right lighting set-up or thoughtful post-production. The difference between good and professional often comes down to intention, knowing exactly what mood, tone, or story you want to tell and shaping the light and editing to match.

How can someone move from taking individual good images to developing a cohesive, professional portfolio?

It’s about finding your voice. A portfolio should feel like it all came from the same creative mind, even if the subjects are different, your voice and your creative style should be a defining factor. Look for patterns in your work, such as colour, mood, or perspective, lighting styles or tones and lean into those. Show range, but also consistency.

How do you approach building client relationships, especially for photographers just starting out?

It starts with being genuine and reliable. Deliver on your promises, communicate clearly, and make the process easy for your clients. People remember how you made them feel as much as the photos you took.

How has the photography industry changed in the past few years, especially with content creation becoming more popular?

There has been a huge shift towards faster turnaround and multi-purpose content. Photographers are upskilling and collaborating with content creators. There are more opportunities than ever, but you have to be versatile and understand how your images will be used across different platforms. Understanding the output of your work from the outset of any shoot is key.

How do you support students in bridging that final gap from a strong foundation to confidently entering the industry?

I focus on real-world skills and confidence. That means live briefs, portfolio reviews, and helping students understand the business side of photography. I encourage them to enter their work into competitions, and I also encourage networking, because opportunities often come from people you already know. There are plenty of opportunities to collaborate with them across the various faculties in the College.

What’s one piece of advice you give to up-and-coming photographers?

Keep shooting. The more you work, the more you will learn what lights you up creatively and your own visual awareness and where you want to take your career. Remember, your unique perspective is your superpower. No one else sees the world quite like you do.

Looking to advance your career in Photography? Griffith College Professional Academy is now enrolling for the Professional Diploma in Creative and Commercial Photography for Autumn 2025.