Enhance your photography career potential with increased industry knowledge through photography publications. Photographer options have grown exponentially during the last several decades. You can focus on black and white or shoot in vivid color; specialize in event photography, portraits, nature or sports; sell or display your work online or in print. To keep up with all the opportunities, news and information, do yourself a favor by finding several different professional photographer publications you trust for solid information. You might find opportunities through a photography publication to build your portfolio by submitting your own photos.

Computers provide professional photographers, students and hobby photographers with accessible and affordable online editing programs and the ability to sell their own work, so the competitive pool of photographers continues to grow. While researching photo publications that will best serve your needs, consider the following sources:

1. Self educate yourself with books on photography.

2. Read up on current trends in an online or print photography magazine.

3. Use other professional photographer publications to your advantage.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase photography books for your reference library

A photography book makes a great reference tool and often a good choice to display on your coffee table.

I recommend: Every photographer should own at least one Ansel Adams book. Buy Ansel Adams At 100 at Powell's Books. The director emeritus of the Department of Photography at the New York Museum of Modern Art actually put together both the book and the international exhibition accompanying it. If you work in the advertising business, order Advertising Photography: A Straightforward Guide to a Complex Industry, by Lou Lesko, at Camerabooks.com. The softcover book, published in 2008, speaks to aspiring and professional photographers that would like to break into advertising with topics like writing a business strategy and starting your business, negotiating bids, knowing what to expect during photo shoots, post production/delivery advice and invoicing clients. Visit the Amherst Media website for books covering all aspects of the industry. You'll find books on portrait, wedding, nature, children/family, fine art, infrared and digital photography, the photo business and cameras/equipment. If digital photography books interest you, buy The Digital SLR Handbook, by best-selling digital photography author Michael Freeman. The book dives head first into digital photo shooting and image processing challenges and answers questions frequently asked by photographers.

Subscribe to an online or print photography magazine

Photography magazines will educate and inspire you.

I recommend: If you want top photography publications, then add PopPhoto, the online home of Popular Photography & Imaging and American Photo, to your list of favorites. If you're passionate about digital photography, check out the current features in PCPhoto online before subscribing to the print version. Besides features, the photographer magazine covers how-to articles, pictures submitted by readers, quick fixes, Photoshop techniques, forums and photography basics. If you prefer event photography publications, start with WedPix, the Wedding Photojournalist Association's online magazine. With articles geared toward photographers, brides, grooms and wedding planners, you'll find features on photographers, business/marketing discussions and technical discussions. Look through the current issue of Rangefinder, a monthly photo magazine devoted to professional photographers. It covers product and equipment reviews, lighting and technical pieces, black-and-white photography, computer technology, lens reviews and portraiture tips. Sign up for a free subscription if you live in the United States.

Find other photography publications to get in-depth information on specific topics

Use a photo journal or other publications for detailed information pertaining to the photography industry.

I recommend: If you're looking for a photography journal, start with Digital Photography Journal, where you'll read in-depth articles dealing with all aspects of digital photography. Consider a subscription to View Camera, a journal of large-format photography. Broaden your horizons and inspire renewed passion by purchasing one or more of the Smithsonian photography publications detailing the Smithsonian Institution's photography collections.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To manage photography publications you regularly access online, store them in a new file titled Photography Publications, and place it on your desktop for quick access.