Fishing in Thailand

Phuket - The Andaman Sea's Premier Fishing Destination

Thailand's island of Phuket occupies a strategically located site from which to reach all the best fishing grounds off the northwest coast of Thailand, plus is a convenient starting-point for fishing trips to India's Andaman Islands, where immense marlin can still be found.

Phuket

Fish Phuket, Thailand - Seasons

As with virtually every game-fishing venue there are exact seasons when the pelagic visitors are more prolific. The most productive seasons also depend on weather and sea conditions. Although black marlin may well be present over Phuket's continental shelf for most of the year, there are periods when targeting them may be prevented due to adverse sea conditions. Compared with many established game-fishing venues, Phuket is fortunate as extreme weather and sea conditions are uncommon. Very few fishing days are lost due to heavy seas or tropical storms.

Phuket has two major weather patterns. During the dry season, which ordinarily lasts from mid-October to mid-May, the prevailing winds are from the north-east and on occasions sea conditions may get a slight choppy. During the rainy season of June to October the prevailing winds are from the south-west and sometimes follow in long waves and diplomatic swells. As with anywhere in the tropics, it can rain at any time, but continued periods of heavy rain occur only occasionally, even in the rainy season.

The peak season for fishing off Phuket ordinarily coincides with the peak period for tourists visiting the island. October, November and December normally represent the most productive months for marlin and sailfish action. During the rainy season, Phuket often enjoys a good run of sailfish. July and August normally supply anglers with 'hot-bites' from sailfish, wahoo and dorado.

Phuket, Thailand - Fishing Grounds

There are three major fishing areas off Phuket: Racha Yai, Racha Noi and the Continental Shelf. In increasing the Andaman Islands are 450 km away and are reachable by hire or by boarding in Port Blair, India. The most frequented of Phuket's fishing grounds are the waters surrounding the island of Racha Yai, especially off its northeast corner. This is a sensational sailfish hot-spot and can often furnish excellent action. Wahoo, dorado, barracuda and multitudes of skipjack, kawa kawa and longtail-tuna are normally caught off this island.

Racha Noi and the rocky pinnacles to the south of the island can offer sizzling sport with black marlin, sailfish, wahoo and several other desirable game-fish. When the vast schools of giant trevally embark on their feeding frenzies, popper-casting can follow in a memorable fishing session. Jigging over the pinnacles can also furnish attractive activity with giant trevallies, rainbow-runners and even the occasional dogtooth-tuna.

The drop-off, on Phuket's continental shelf, offers anglers their best chance of black marlin activity relatively near to Phuket. The drop-off near the Similan Islands is also one of the haunts of yellowfin-tuna, although they are rarely caught in trophy size. Big wahoo often cruise the shelf, as do barracuda and impressive dorado. The skipjacks are ordinarily much bigger than their cousins caught in shallower water. Sailfish do show up occasionally but seldom in great numbers.

The Andaman Islands archipelago, which belongs to India and is situated in the Bay of Bengal, is roughly 450km west of Phuket and is closer to Thailand than it is to India. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands group consists of 572 rain-forest-covered islands, of which only 36 are inhabited. This area is an attractive new destination for big-game fishing where the fishing action, along with major battles with immense specimens of the excellent black marlin, is outstanding, generally due to the virtual absence of market fishing vessels.

Fishing in Thailand

Comparing Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tours

Las Vegas is the Mecca for Grand Canyon South Rim bus tours. The journey itself is full of excitement before topping out with a guided tour of the internationally famed South Rim. There are a small estimate of trip options, but the ones ready are more than sufficient to get the job done. Here's a quick look at what to expect.

South Rim Bus Tours

Bangkok Tour

Travel within the National Park is regulated. You need a permit for overnight backpack treks, helicopters can't land at the bottom and sightseeing airplanes must corollary a specific course. This is a good thing because it protects the integrity of the Park and it's why you have the following coach tours from which to choose:

Classic Bus Tour. This is the most beloved trip offered. Leaves every morning of the year from Vegas and arrives 5.5 hours later at the South Rim. Comes with complimentary hotel pick up and drop off, grab-and-go breakfast, lunch and a 2.5-hour guided ground tour of key points of interest.

Bus Tour w/ Helicopter Ride. Includes all elements of the classic bus tour plus a 30-minute, rim-to-rim flight that flies over the Kaibab Plateau, the Dragoon Corridor, the North Rim and the Temple of Ra. The return features a spectacular view of Grand Canyon Village.

The Route

All South Rim coach tours leave Las Vegas nearby 7:30 a.m. The drive skirts Lake Mead, the largest artificial stockroom in the U.S., before heading south over the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. The majority of bus tours will double back on the Arizona side for a 15-minute Hoover Dam photo stop.

Buses continue south to the Arizona town of Kingman. Here you'll take a rest break before bearing east to Williams, which bills itself the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon." The final stretch is about 60 miles. Folks who have the bus-helicopter combo will be dropped off at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport before the bus enters the South Rim.

Guided Ground Tour

This segment of the trip includes stops at a minimum of two key guard points. In most cases, you'll do Mather Point and Yavapai observation Station, but this is branch to change. In all honesty, any guard you go to will be spectacular and makes for an perfect place to take pictures. There's also time to briefly hike a trail below the rim or browse the Grand Canyon information Center. This segment of the trip wraps up at Grand Canyon Village, the Park's commercial hub.

When to Rsvp

It's important to book your South Rim bus tour as far in expand as possible. Coach tours are all the rage these days and it's not uncommon for them to sell out. without fail Rsvp if you're a group of 4 our more travelers and you want to tour together. I tell friends and house to keep at least three days ahead of time. If you of course want to play it safe, lock down your seats a week prior to your desired departure date.

Buying a Bus Tour

Too many people fall under the assumption that purchasing bus tours at the destination will save them money. It won't. In fact, it will cost you more. Mark brokers and hotel concierges know you have fixed time in Vegas and prey upon that. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, these types of "last-minute" bookings mean you most likely wont get on the bus because it's full. Spare yourself the stress. keep your coach tour online in advance.

Road Trip!

Grand Canyon South Rim bus tours from Las Vegas are an absolute bargain. First, they come with everything, along with free hotel shuttle assistance and lunch. Next, they get you to the best U.S. National Park for under per person (cheaper for kids). This is an all-day trip. Expect it to take 12 hours plus. But it's so worth it, especially after you stand on the precipice that is Mather Point and gaze into a miraculous canyon that's a mile deep and no less than 10 miles wide!

Comparing Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tours

Koh Larn - The Greatest Island in Pattaya

Once known for its corals, Koh Larn Island is now popularized due to the foreign tourists. The island is abundant in corals to be found under various shapes and colors. Tourists come to the Koh Larn Island in Pattaya for the coral snorkeling, the beautiful white sandy beaches and the clear blue sea. The island hosts more than 5000 tourists every day, being the heaven of any traveler.

The location of the island is very convenient. Koh Larn is located at just 8km from the Pattaya city, thus being very accessible. Anyone recognizes the island on the map due to its pentagon shape. The island stretches for 5km on the North-South direction and 2km on the East_west. The island is filled with mountains and lots of trees. The great forests present a great variety of species to admire. The forests are also used by the tourists as a hide away from the beaches.

Pattaya

For a tax of 1500 - 2000 Baht you can get to the island by boat. The trip takes about 15-20 minutes and you can enjoy both the speed and the beauty of the sea. This is the best way of reaching Koh Larn Island in Pattaya. It's both fun and fast. For your safety you are also provided with a life jacket.

You can also choose a much cheaper way to get on the island. That is by using a passenger boat. A seat costs just 20 Baht and the boat travels every 2 hours. The actual time spent between Pattaya and Koh Larn is just 45 minutes. The first boat leaves at 8 am and the last one at 6pm. So, if you got on the island don't plan to leave after 6pm, but rather enjoy the fun there and leave in the morning. To go around the island you can use any taxi available, this being the best transportation method. There are many beaches on the Koh Larn Island in Pattaya. The norther most beach is Ta Waen. The beach is famous for its golden long sand curving aspect. The sand there is white and dazzling making a great contrast against the blue sea. You can jet ski, ride a banana boat or swim.

The Thong Lang beach is quiet and relaxing. The tranquility here makes it great for the people who came to Pattaya for relaxation. This is also the island that the coral lovers choose for exploration.

The Sangwan beach is popular among the European tourists because it's the place where they gather. If you look to meet other European people on the Koh Larn Island in Pattaya, the Sangwan beach is the place to be. Thien beach is also preferred by many Europeans, especially, for the sports available. Also, the beach is great for relaxing as it provides some of the best Thai massages in Pattaya.

No matter on which of the beaches you will choose to spend your time, Koh Larn Island in Pattaya surely has a place for you too.

Koh Larn - The Greatest Island in Pattaya

Things to See in Thailand

Thailand has long been a popular tourist destination. Cheap, navigable, family friendly, and with a range of activities, it is easy to see why it is so popular. With the world economy shrinking, Thailand has become an even better choice to visit. Hotel prices have been cut and flights have become cheaper. If that wasn't enough of a reason, here are some others:

Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world. Whether you want empty beaches or lush resorts, Thailand has an island for you. You can choose between Phuket, a popular family destination, Ko Phang Nagn, a popular destination with backpackers, or Ko Lipe, an out of the way destination in the south of Thailand. No matter where you go, you will find wide white sand beaches, crystal clear diving, cheap accommodation, amazing seafood, and great diving.

Thailand Travel

If beaches and diving aren't interesting to you, Thailand a a variety of other activities for you. There are many historical sites such as Sukkotthai, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya There you can see the old capitals of the Thai Empire. and some stunning Khmer influence architecture.

Keep heading north for lush jungles, hill tribes, and river rafting expeditions. Up north in Chiang Mai you will also find some of the best shopping in all of Thailand at the Chiang Mai night market. Chiang Mai also boasts some amazing temples and is one of the centers of Buddhism in the country. If you head a little further north to Chiang Rai, you can use this city as a base to explore the wild and undeveloped north.

However, the best part of Thailand is its beaches and any trip to the country requires spending a lot of time at one of its many islands. With so many islands, there is bound to be one that suits your travel style. The lesser known and touristed islands such as Ko Lipe, offer travelers cheaper accommodation, more authentic interaction with the locals, better diving, and less crowds to share the beaches with. Most people come here for the sun and there is good reason to. Whatever your reason to come here, you will have a great time with so many available choices.

Things to See in Thailand

Thailand Famous Tourist Attractions

Thailand has become one of the most well known and popular sites for holiday makers around the world. It is just because of its charming nature, and many tourist attractions offered to holiday makers. Lots of tourist sites can be found throughout the country and each of them has got uniqueness for itself which also provides tourists with interesting knowledge about Thai culture.

In Thailand, there are a great number of Buddhist temples that tourists can visit to learn about the national religion of Thailand. For Bangkok, it is the capital city of the country where there are many important temples situated around the city. One of the most important temples is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where a Buddhist image made from a large Emerald is kept. All important issues about Royal family and country will be held within this temple. The temple of Dawn is also in Bangkok on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, where one can see a very beautiful ancient architectural art within the temple. There are many more temples throughout the country, which each of them has an amazing story and background.

Thailand Travel

For people interested in watching live sport, Bangkok is the home to the two largest Thai Boxing stadiums, or Muay Thai stadiums. Muay Thai has become a popular sport around the world and the best fighters in the world appear in Lumpini and Rajadamneorn stadiums. The stadiums hold weekly matches which most of famous and best fighters will be appeared in these two stadiums. There are many boxing schools teaching Muay Thai to interested people.

Another popular activity of tourist is water activities. Thailand is so well known for the home of many beautiful beaches throughout the country, where tourists can go swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, or sun bathing on nice white sandy beaches. At the same time, tourists can enjoy buying things from local venders who sell delicious fruit, local foods, and souvenirs on the beach. Samui, Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin are some of great tourist destinations for having beautiful beaches and relax atmosphere that tourists are looking for.

Moreover, Thailand is also a great place for nightlife. Most entertainment venues are closed very late. Some of them may be opened until dawn for parties. There are lots of famous DJs and high-quality musicians, and other entertainers that perform in the numerous nightclubs in the most popular tour sites throughout the country.

Thailand has got so many things to offer to tourists or holiday makers. It has become one of popular tourist destinations which are waiting for tourists to visit and discover the beauty of the country and its uniqueness. Thus, don't forget to visit Thailand "The Land of Smile" for the next time you are planning a vacation!

Thailand Famous Tourist Attractions

What Are the Famous Festivals in Thailand?

Songkran Festival in mid April

In Thailand, as also in the Dai People communities of Southern China [ where the Tai originated from ], the Tai Lao in Laos,and the Buddhist communities in Cambodia and Myanmar, the Calender New Year is occassioned between 13 and 15 April each year. The Thai use a lunisolar calendar [ both the Sun rotation and the moon phase rotation ] and the date was fixed on a solar calculation. The word '' Songkran '' is derived from the Indian sancript word '' Sankanta '' which means '' a change or move ''. The dates are now fixed arbitarily but originally would move with the move of the sun on the vernal equinox. This occured as a consequence of '' precession '' and the tilt of the earth and the effect of its orbit. Over the past the dates have changed but are now fixed irrespective of the original rationale and what would otherwise be the astrological calculation. From a natural perspective the dates also signal the end of the dry season.

Thailand Travel

Loy Krathong Festival

Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated in all of Thailand in November. Loy Krathong celebrates the end of the rainy season which is also the full moon of the 12 th month of the Thai Lunar Calendar. Loy or Loi means to float and Krathong or Kratong means a raft the sive of ones open hand. The point of the festival is to prepare and then float at full moon down a stream, river or other water water, an elaborately prepared offering on the raft to be released and float away by water to release with it as a symbolic gester, ones bad feelings, anger, stress and grievances.

The festival has its beginnings in the Indianisation process of South East Asia and an original Brahmanical festival from Northern India. Many Thais also accept natural forces as spirits or '' gods '' and the floating of the Krathong is symbolic gesture to the Goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. The Thais proclaim the festival originated in Thailand at Sukhothai at the time of the Sukhothai Kingdom, but here then also Indian and Brahmanical influences with powerful.

Bai Sri

The Bai Sri is a blessing ceremony performed to bestow happiness and prosperity to a person or place. The ceremony features a beautifully-shaped ornament called a khrueng bai sri ton, made of elaborately-folded banana leaves. A container is beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and banana leaves, It is often used during auspicious ceremonies. The popular forms of the Bai Sri offerings are the Bai Sri Pak Cham and Bai Sri Yai.

Bai Sri Pak Cham is small and looks like a bowl. A section of banana trunk can be used to make this form of Bai Sri, which is often used in a ceremony to worship deities and in a ceremony to pay homage to teachers. Bai Sri Yai is generally used in significant events, such as a royal ceremony to strengthen the royal Khwan. According to ancient traditions, a nine-tier Bai Sri is for the King and the Queen, a seven-tier Bai Sri is for a prince or a princess, a five-tier Bai Sri is for the royal guest with the status of a president, a three-tier Bai Sri is for a minister or for use in the wedding of a royal grandchild.

Bai Sri rituals are often performed in Chiang Mai. Thai people preserve this rite as a legacy for future generations. You will find different kinds of Bai Sri Pak Cham at Tom Lamyai Flower Market, Vichayanun rd, Chiang Mai.

What Are the Famous Festivals in Thailand?

Flowers in Thailand: Orchids

Anyone visiting Thailand may have already been introduced to this breathtaking flower even before their arrival in the country, as Thai Airways gives passengers a pretty orchid to stick on their shirt as they board the plane. This pink or purple orchid is one of the most beloved and coarse flowers of Thailand, yet its uncomplicated attractiveness is just a taste of the anticipated collection and diversity of the breathtaking Thai orchid.

Thailand has many thousands of different families and species of orchid, and these can be found in every colour and shape imaginable. Moreover, they can grow in just about any climate or terrain imaginable. In Thailand they have adapted themselves so much that you can find some up in the mountains, thousands of metres above sea-level, while others have made their home in humid, damp rainforests where they get no sun. Others still have adapted to be able to survive out of the soil and can be found on rocky outcrops or even attached to the level bark of trees.

Phuket

This breathtaking collection and diversity of survival can be assigned to the wonders of the evolutionary process: These plants would have slowly adapted over the millennia to attract different types of pollinating insects or animals. For this purpose you will see some of the flowers have perfect shapes and colours to attract clear animals, while others are shaped to brush against animals as they go about their business. Others will even have industrialized an impressive array of weapons, smells, shapes and behaviours to avoid predators or undesirable insects. For example, some orchids have mimicked the shape of bees and even spiders to ward off unsuitable pollinators, while some others have produced sedative chemicals that anesthetize bees and defend against their costly pollen being wasted. Some are able to move themselves to scare insects and some have even industrialized the quality to close their flowers when they sense an inappropriate pollinator approaching.

Flowers in Thailand: Orchids

deal Asia Cruise Deals

Surreal views, great thousand-year old temples, ultra contemporary cities, genuine cuisine, and additionally some of the most gorgeous beaches worldwide. Asia has it all, a tasty mix of traditions and modernity that gives this region of the planet an edge over many other tourist destinations, and a great way of enjoying this magic is taking advantage of the best Asia cruise deals.

Top cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America and Norwegian will offer you exquisite accommodation, a broad selection of special meals, and pro entertainment. Aboard these luxury structures life is casual and relaxing, retention passengers busy and happy with a wide range of activities such as dancing in the nightclubs, gambling a bit in the casinos, and enjoying the shows and movies.

Phuket

Besides all this you can enjoy hanging out with new friends while sunbathing on the decks in the middle of the ocean. Some great ports of call in a cruise to Southeast Asia are Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Phuket, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur.

Hong Kong

Formerly a small fishing village, Hong Kong is now the most sophisticated and international city of China, and the world's fourth largest financial center after New York, Tokyo and London.

In terms of tourism, the main city of Hong Kong is a vibrant and bustling company center and a shopping mecca famous for its food and markets.
Aside from the Hong Kong's heart with its harbors and jammed streets, the area has a lot more to offer, like rural islands of isolated beaches, hilly landscapes, and wee farming and fishing villages.

Singapore

Once home of pearl reapers and corsairs, Singapore is nowadays a hugely-developed city-state with a very high accepted of living and a prime tourist destination. More and more visitors from all over the world are coming to Singapore to let themselves get seduced by the many entertainment options that so cosmopolitan city has to offer.

Bangkok

Besides a main thrifty hub of Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a major voyage destination, a national treasure, and definitely a place which the tourist can no ifs ands or buts fall in love with. In this Asian metropolis you will find all the possibilities of shopping and nightlife, as well as astonishing temples and an untold number of exotic restaurants.

Tokyo

Tokyo combines the top technologies of the world with the Asian devotion to its ancestral traditions. It is maybe the most eye-catching particularity of this spectacular, mega city, the 3rd worldwide after New York and London.

Phuket

If you like gorgeous beaches, Phuket is one of those places that you should no ifs ands or buts try to visit sometime in your lifetime. A resort of world renown where visitors from all the corners of the planet are attracted like flies to be able to sense the magic of this large Thai island, placed on the west coast of the Andaman Sea.

Shanghai

It would seem like the present does not exist in Shanghai. Walk along the Huangpu River to gaze some fine relics built a hundred years ago and catch a bit of the past. As for the future, you can gape at the ultra contemporary financial district, a Feng Shui craze of steel and glass.

Kuala Lumpur

The booming Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, is a distinguished voyage destination. This spectacular, metropolis has the power to captivate the traveler's senses and steal their hearts with its unique blend of ancient and modern, East and West.

deal Asia Cruise Deals

Unique Culture in Thailand

Thai Culture in Bangkok

Thailand is a country with a long and rich history. Thailand is also one of those countries which have many traditions which modern times fortunately have not affected. Thailand is renowned for its unique culture that has been notorious around the globe. Thai culture is especially well known for its distinctiveness. It is well worth noting that Thai culture has traditionally been handed down from one generation to the next.

Thailand Travel

Thai Classical Dance

The inspiring Thai culture includes inspiring local music and wonderful Thai dances. The culture furthermore includes of course its deep rooted Buddhist religion, martial arts, crafts and beautiful clothing.

Visitors to Thailand can experience Thai culture by witnessing one of the Thai classical dance performances. These classical dance performances are generally performed by gracious Thai ladies wearing beautiful Thai local costumes.

These special Thai dances are fortunately still popular throughout Thailand including with the present younger Thai generations. Most resort areas and many hotels frequently offer these special Thai culture dance shows for foreign visitors.

Thai Greeting

The unique Thai gesture of greeting another person, the Wai, is especially one of the greatest aspects of the culture. The Wai is when a person joins both hands to either head or chest level while bending their head slightly towards their hands.

This way of greeting is especially done when a younger person greets an older person and it indicated a sign of respect to their elders. Employees would also Wai their superior's even if the supervisor or manager would be younger then themselves as the seniority of the other person would be respected.

Bangkok

Bangkok is the main city of Thailand and has been the Thai capital since the end of the eighteenth century. Observing culture in Bangkok can be a great experience as the blend of modern times and traditions have created a one of a kind atmosphere. Bangkok still offers a package of culture which showcases Thai culture through numerous beautiful Thai Buddhist temples, interesting museums and many example of ancient Thai architecture.

Places to Visit in Bangkok

One of the best places in Bangkok to experience Thai culture is in the Sanam Luang area. Visitors can visit such Thai national landmarks such as the Grand Palace which includes the Emerald Buddha Temple and also offers visitors to see many other prime examples of Thai architecture at its best.

Another location in Bangkok where one can enjoy and see Thai culture is at the famed Bangkok national museum. The large museum is located near to the Pra Pin Klao bridge in case you would like to visit the Bangkok National Museum. The famous museum offers visitors and tourists an opportunity to view national treasures and unique Thai art pieces with some dating back as early as the late sixteenth century.

Unique Culture in Thailand

Driving in Thailand

Many people like the thrill of riding fast motorbikes and driving rally cars, some enjoy driving 4 X 4 vehicles in wild terrain at speed or just seeing how fast their 10 year old car can go, whilst others prefer a complicated game of Mah Jong or chess, maybe even the occasional game of Russian roulette. The psychology of Thai drivers includes all these traits and more.

Driving in Thailand is not for the feint-hearted. If you happen to be from one of the few countries in the world who drive on the Left side of the road you have a slight mechanical advantage because you are used to driving on the “wrong side of the road,” and with the steering wheel on the “wrong” side, but even these benefits will not help you much in Thailand.

Thailand Travel

Whilst the laws of the road are very similar to your home country’s, the Rules of Engagement are quintessentially and pragmatically Thai. Compared with Western countries the passing of a driving test is a minor formality which takes around 10 minutes in a car park with red cones. Until you pass this “test” you can drive anyway without ‘L’ plates if you are with another driver.

The general knowledge of any sort of Highway Code is virtually non-existent and such things as undertaking at speed and a total lack of signalling, even when turning across several lanes of traffic is normal practice.

In towns and cities motorbikes will cut you up left and right at the same time. Another will probably pull out in front of you and expect you to stop for it, whilst pedestrians weaving between traffic queues do not seem to notice cars or motorbikes heading for them at 50 kms per hour and only inches away.

In country districts where the roads or tracks seem to be appallingly potholed in places, any rules of the road are entirely forgotten by the local drivers who have been driving round these hazards for years. They will of course use the bit of the road without holes which may or may not be the correct one. It is possible to find yourself on entirely the wrong side whilst someone going in the opposite direction passes you on his wrong side. 4 X 4 vehicles are a must for country tracks as cars suspensions and ground clearance just won’t cope.

If you have a driving licence from your own country as well as an international one, you have the patience of a holy-man, have eyes in the back of your head, the reflexes of Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 Farrari, a crystal ball for checking out the local traffic and to make sure that the ‘puddle’ in front of you is not a metre deep, then you may wish to come to South-East Asia to check out this dangerous pastime [http://dangerousdestinations.com]. It’s actually very good fun!

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same [http://dangerousdestinations.com].

Driving in Thailand

Freelance Photography: How to Begin Your Career

Photography is a vast world. There are many different types of photography and many different kinds of people that enjoy it. It's a hobby that be relatively inexpensive or one that you can invest a lot of money on. Photos are so special because they give us memories of times and places and events in our lives. We can hold onto these memories forever with a photograph.

As much as people love photos, many people love taking them even more. Whether it's a mother who takes photos at every of her children's moments in life (first smile, first step, first spaghetti meal) or maybe it's the father who never forgets his camera for a football or basketball game, or maybe it's the young girl who loves nature hikes with her camera; these people are not exceptions. They all have an eye for those special moments and they all appreciate the camera's ability to capture that moment and freeze it in time forever.

Pattaya

- What is Freelance Photography?

What if you love photography so much you wish you could do it for a living? I mean, you actually get paid for your photographs! But you work solely for yourself, selling each photo or series of photos individually. You don't have a boss. You work sometimes on assignment and you may sell to magazines. That is freelance photography.

Freelance photography may be your entire career or it may start out as something you do in your spare time but begin making money from it. It's just like freelance writing in this sense that many people turn it into a career and enjoy the freedom of working essentially for themselves on their own time and making money doing something they love doing anyway.

- How to Build a Portfolio

To start getting jobs as a freelance photographer, you need a portfolio. A portfolio will show samples of your work. Even if you have never had photographs published or publicly displayed, you can start a portfolio of your best work and then add onto it if you win photography contests or start receiving paid work.

- How to Get Jobs

As we mentioned, building a portfolio is the first step in submitting your work for pay but when it comes right down to it, it's the quality of the photo that will determine if you get paid for it. Some people have more of a natural talent for taking great pictures than others but it is a skill that anyone can learn. There are schools dedicated to the art of photography and you can even get a degree in it. If you are just getting started, you can look into classes provided by your local community center or community college. Some cities have photography groups that meet to share photos and tips. There are also many groups online dedicated to photography and freelance photography.

You need to view as many famous photographs as possible. Take a look at what is getting published and compare it to your own photos. This allows you to compare and learn from other's work. It takes more than just point and shoot to get a great photo. You need to learn about focus, lighting, colors and backgrounds and much more.

Once you start learning about photography and creating a portfolio, you can start submitting your photos to contests and magazines. Get a list of photography markets and start submitting to ones that accept your type of photos. Don't expect to make it to the big times right away. Few people actually achieve this but you can start small and eventually make your way into a nice living from freelance photography.

Freelance Photography: How to Begin Your Career