Professional photography is about more than just taking pictures.

Sure, getting good quality, sellable pictures are important, but there is another side to making it as a pro.

I am, of course, referring to the dark arts of the boardroom.

As any successful snapper can tell you, you either spend many ours paining over numbers and spreadsheets, or you get someone else to do it for you, because if you don’t, the bank will be round to collect your camera, and that’s as sure as taxes.

The most important aspect of the business of photography is identifying the market. If you can’t find anyone to pay you for your picture, then as pretty as it may be, it won’t pay your rent.

Luckily, from stock libraries to newspapers to website and postcard vendors, there are a million and one ways to make people pay you for what you love. Not forgetting, of course, the myriad types of commissioned shoots, like portraits and weddings and product advertising.

But whether before you take the picture or after, and no matter if you are a freelance news photographer or an aspiring model portfolio creator, at some point you will have to sit down and do the sums: how much does it cost and how long will it take; what are your overheads and how much do you need to live; transportation and batteries need to be reckoned and you can’t forget about the wear and tear on your equipment or the fact that your kit will need to be insured.

Then there is the craft of promoting yourself. You’ll need a website and a business card, perhaps even a letterhead to portray that ultra professional image. You may need an advertising strategy, a slogan and a company name.

To be a professional photographer, you’ll need to be that rare thing, the jack of all trades, the master of ONE.