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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Left my paper to freelance fulltime last night!
Robb Long, Photographer
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Northfield | MN | USA | Posted: 6:15 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> Hey SS members,
I left my paper as photo editor/photographer to pursue my freelance career. This has been something I feel would be beneficial to further my career as a photographer.
I guess I needed to just move on with it before I changed my mind.
I will miss shooting wildart on a daily basis as that was my favorite thing to cover in a small town.
I am also pursuing a few projects that I have been wanting to do but haven't been able to becuase I was working so much.
Hopefully this leads to bigger and better things for me in the near future.
Wish me luck guys and gals as I think I may be in for a bumpy ride in the next few months.
Robb |
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Cecil Copeland, Photographer
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Marietta | Ga | USA | Posted: 6:19 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> Best of luck and best wishes to you, Robb ....
That's a big step and I hope all works out for you. |
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Ron Hawkes, Photographer
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Camden | ME | USA | Posted: 6:24 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> Robb, good luck! I too left my job two weeks ago at my local newspaper to pursue my own goals with photography.
It's a major life change and a little scary, but in the end it will be the right thing to do.
Have fun and stay on focus
Ron |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 7:35 AM on 04.12.06 |
| ->> Welcome to the madness! |
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David M. Russell, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 7:35 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> Good luck! My advice, for what it's worth:
- Spend only cash.
- Diversify your client base.
- You're not alone if you feel a bit terrified.
- Get a cell phone that allows you to check your e-mail.
- Believe in your work.
- Get a good accountant.
- Write a business plan, even if it's only notes and ideas.
Blah blah blah.
The most important thing is to try to have fun. It'll show in your work and to your clients. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 8:21 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> good luck Robb. This past January marked my 4th year as a full time freelancer and it was the best thing I ever did (after up and moving to NYC in mid 1999).
As David said-diversify. Also-be nice to EVERYONE you meet-you never know who that person is/knows. In my opinion, that first job is the key. I have never advertised (other than having a website) and the work has just kept rolling in from that very first client I had back in 1999.
Debbie |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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New England | | USA | Posted: 9:38 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> Robb:
Good Luck!
The best thing I learned having left my staff job at a paper, then again leaving my job as a magazine Dir. of Photo was to not look to newspapers and wires for my income. Newspaper and wire work pays very low for long hard hours.
I love news, I love wires, but the money is in corporate work and higher end editorial freelance work. Find niche markets if you can, be as diverse as possible.
Godo Luck! It can be a rough patch out of the gate but it is a great job to be a freelancer! |
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John Harrington, Photographer
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 11:01 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> Robb --
Congratulations on the change. The above advice is all good, especially about diversification, it being a bit scary, and not to look to the wires/newspapers for freelance.
Please don't hesititate to call/email me if you have any questions about forms, contracts, standards, client relations, or guidance on establishing your rates in general, or for a specific scenario.
Enjoy!
John |
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David Harpe, Photographer
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Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 11:40 AM on 04.12.06 |
->> Congrats!
The advice presented so far is very good. Setting up the accounting side of things from day one is very important. I use Quickbooks Pro to do all of my invoicing and tracking. My accountant uses quickbooks and has me dump a copy onto a CD once a quarter to do the quarterlies and keep track of things. It works great - enter things once and that's it.
Avoid credit like the plague. It's incredibly easy to get upside-down early on and spend years digging yourself out of a hole. The equipment you already own is probably more than adequate for starting out. If you need specialty equipment, rent or develop allegiances with fellow photographers where you can borrow/rent things from them from time to time. Developing relationships with a good camera store and CPS can help you in this area as well.
Good luck!
Dave |
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Sandy Huffaker, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 12:11 PM on 04.12.06 |
->> Robb,
Congrats on the move to the freelance world.
I have one more thing to add to all the great tips posted.
Since you will probably be based out of your home, make sure to create off- time for yourself. Being "freelance" sometimes means you are always on call.
How many times have I made plans for vacations, days off, nights off with the family, etc.. and gotten a last minute call. It can sometimes take a toll on your mental health. Don't be a slave to the cell phone! Make yourself an official day off from time to time.
Best of luck and keep diverse!! |
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Seh Suan Ngoh, Photographer
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Singapore | SG | Singapore | Posted: 12:22 PM on 04.12.06 |
| ->> Gentlemen, would I be right to suggest using PhotoByte to keep track of things? I'm starting out, and so far, it's the only thing I can afford now - not much! |
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Andrew Villa, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Dublin | CA | United States | Posted: 12:26 PM on 04.12.06 |
->> Robb,
Good luck on the change man, perserve like heck and you'll make it. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 3:28 PM on 04.12.06 |
->> Robb
I still need to stop in and say hello. Congrats on the move to the dark side :)
Work hard, but work a lot smarter also.
Michael |
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Al Santos, Photographer
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 5:14 PM on 04.12.06 |
->> Best of luck to you, Robb. I'm sure it is a scary feeling to be out on your own but if you put your heart and soul into your photography, you will make it.
Lots of luck to you! Al |
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Serafin Martinez, Photographer
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Carolina | PR | | Posted: 7:07 PM on 04.12.06 |
| ->> Congrats Robb, just put in the lords hand, he will guide you he has guided me and he is the way. Sorry I'm not a very religous person but I did find this out 5 to 6 years ago. Good Luck and happy shooting Serafin |
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Peter Taylor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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NYC, Washington | DC | | Posted: 7:33 PM on 04.12.06 |
->> Robb the quickest way to get a job offered to you is to book an non refundable airline ticket. As soon as you do, you will be offered 3 jobs for the days you wanted to be away!
Seriously, You've recieved some really great advice from som every smart people. listen to it and you'll do fine. Some nice big corporate clients there in MN.
pt |
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Ron Erdrich, Photographer
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 8:18 PM on 04.12.06 |
->> Question for everyone: When you say "diversify", into what do you diversify? That is to say, how far from photojournalism do you go? Are you even doing photojournalism or are you shooting event photography, commercial work (products, portraits, etc.), and weddings/local sports?
Just looking for some examples of what kind of work freelancers do these days.
Thanks,
-Ron- |
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Thomas Oed, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 9:27 PM on 04.12.06 |
->> Good luck, Robb... you're a braver man than I! : D
-Thomas- |
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Wes Hope, Photographer
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Maryville | TN | USA | Posted: 10:10 PM on 04.12.06 |
| ->> Take me with you! |
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Alan Carroll, Photographer
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Sheridan | WY | USA | Posted: 12:23 AM on 04.13.06 |
->> Best of Luck Robb... I've always lived by "Leap and the net will appear..."
It seems fitting now :)
Alan |
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Robert Benson, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 12:54 AM on 04.13.06 |
->> I'm doing the same thing! Today I finished 20 years as navy shooter. Now I'm going to freelance full time.
I feel like a black cloud has lifted away from over my head, and the future is bright.
Sandy Huffaker gave me great advice a few months back:
-stay in one spot
-be easy to work with
-make quality pictures
-be nice to those you meet
hope it works... |
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Robb Long, Photographer
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Northfield | MN | USA | Posted: 8:45 AM on 04.13.06 |
->> Wow, such great advice from all of you, thank you very much.
Its been a day now and the excitement has been exhilerating.
I also feel a large weight lifted from my shoulders, it does feel good.
Fischer, you do need to stop by my place sometime, hell, my schedule is pretty open these days, haha.
I have already put my info out their and am getting some hits. I do have an accountant, cell phone (email on it), lap top and all the canon camera equipment a growin boy needs.
Thanks again and I wish all of you the best as well.
Robb |
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Rachael Golden, Photographer
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Rockville | MD | USA | Posted: 9:07 AM on 04.13.06 |
->> Congratulations Robb and Robert. I too quit my job as a staffer last week. And as of May 13 I will be working full time as a freelancer. It is scary, but feels so liberating. I can't wait to work on the projects I haven't had time for and just get out there.
(sounds like there are lots of job openings out there for anyone who is looking! :-) |
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Nathan Pier, Photographer, Assistant
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Racine | WI | USA | Posted: 11:07 AM on 04.13.06 |
->> Good luck Robb,
May the wind always be at your back and may the check always be in the mail ;-)
-N |
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Clark Brooks, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 11:13 AM on 04.13.06 |
->> Rob, Ron, Rachel, Robert:
Is this the week for people with first names beginning with 'R' to go to freelancing or what? Welcome lady and gentlemen to the wonderful world of freelancing.
There is some pretty good advice above as others have pointed out. If you need any assistance on sales, marketing and/or promotions feel free to give me a call or drop me an email, I'd be happy to pass along tips/techniques/ideas to help you get started or bring in more clients. Heck, if you need someone to bounce an idea off of too, don't hesitate to call.
Good luck and welcome to the jungle! |
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Alan Luby, Photographer
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Riviera Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 12:39 AM on 04.16.06 |
->> I am new to this site, but I am benefiting from all the positive feedback. How do you go about selecting an accountant?
Thanks
Alan |
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John Lee, Photographer
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 12:38 PM on 04.17.06 |
->> yup, congrats to the "Four R's." i took the dive almost a year ago. kinda nerve-racking, but man am i happy! i'm taking personal vested interest in everything i shoot now, none of it belongs to some corporate newspaper machine.
learn to light! and i mean light well. if you can light, you've doubled your day rate.
stock photography is your friend, especially during those slow decembers. |
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