| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Best advice for an aspiring photojournalist
Josh Couper, Student/Intern
 |
Dublin | OH | United States | Posted: 12:04 PM on 12.22.09 |
->> I couldn’t imagine a better major than photojournalism. It’s fun, I’m passionate about it, and the community that comes along with it is amazing. They tell us that being in school is the best place we can be right now, given the state of things... However, as I’m entering into the second half of my junior year the realization that I’m not going to have this educational ‘safety net’ much longer is setting in. On top of that, the competitive struggle for internships is making everything just that more real.
Reading articles titled, “Life after Newspaper’s” are making me seriously consider what my life is going to look like in just over a year’s time. I’m reading about previous staff photographers shifting their focus to wedding photography, corporate, and commercial photography as well. I also see people fleeing from photojournalism all together. Should I be investing in these alterative fields now?
I know, especially given how things are now, there is no ‘cookie cutter’ path for a visual journalist, but, I thought I would take advantage of the SportsShooter professional community, to get just that: A professional take on things. I would really appreciate your advice on what I can be doing now to best plan for the future. |
|
Garrett Cortese, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Winter Park | FL | USA | Posted: 12:31 PM on 12.22.09 |
->> Hey Josh,
I read your post and it made me think of a thread I posted some thoughts into a while back on the state of photojournalism and potential advice for current students. I've copied much of that response and pasted it here for you. Hopefully you and maybe even some other students find it useful. I'm no veteran of the industry and I don't even know if these are the answers you might be looking for, but I can honestly say that if I was still in school these are the things I would consider first and foremost. Best of luck to you and the rest of your college career. Stay proactive and keep working at your craft. I'm a firm believer that if you work at it and you are truly good and unique at what you do, then there is room for you to make a living with a camera in your hand somewhere.
-----
1. Take business classes. Maybe even consider a minor or double major, even if it means staying in school a little longer. Sure, you might not necessarily want to expand those student loans, but do you want to be in the "real world" right now with no jobs to be had and zero business sense? Chances are when you get out of school you're going to be doing some work under your own name/business, so you might as well learn how to do it right rather than learn from your own mistakes and live in your Mom's basement eating Top Ramen until you're 33 (or living in a van down by the river with a guy named Matt Foley). Plus, being in school a little longer gives you that much more time to have great access to all the things that come with college life in order to continue to build your portfolio.
2. Learn more about journalism than just photography. When I was at school at CU Boulder the journalism school didn't have a photo major (still doesn't) and at first I thought it was a huge disadvantage for me. I majored in News/Editorial because I knew that was the field I wanted to go into eventually, but I just focused on all the photography stuff I could (two photo-J classes and work for the student newspaper). In the end the lack of a photo major ended up being my biggest blessing, though. My major taught me how to write and edit, so rather than being a kid in the real world who could only shoot photographs, I could now write stories to go with them. If I didn't have this extra feather in my hat I wouldn't have the job I do now. So go find those feathers and put them in your own hats. The more services you can offer a potential employer, the more valuable you become as a potential employee. Maybe it's writing, maybe it's video, maybe it's graphic design/layout, maybe it's web design... Be more than just a photographer.
3. The term photojournalist doesn't automatically mean you have to work for a newspaper, but it does mean you've been trained to use your camera in a variety of different ways where you can produce quality photography no matter what the situation. I work for a wakeboarding magazine now, but my photography skills all grew from (still growing, I hope) my photojournalism education and training (classes, student paper, internships). Other photo markets are more insulated from the economic crisis than newspapers these days, and those might be places you'll need to look to for employment. Regardless, your training as a photojournalist should have you more prepared to adapt to those markets and eventually succeed. I've shot several weddings on the side to make some extra money, and did quite well at it because of my photojournalism experience. I have the job I do and shoot photos the way I do because of my photojournalism experience. Take your training and expand upon it. Maybe there are other fields you're interested in outside of newspaper photojournalism where your skills can still bring home a paycheck and keep you happy. Learn about those fields and start pursuing them.
4. Keep looking for the next step (or at least the path to it). For me when I was a student this had to do with education and networking. I was constantly looking for new ways to learn and grow as a photographer, as well as meet other photographers. While in school I was lucky enough to attend several of the original SportsShooter Luau workshops, as well as a Rich Clarkson Sports Photography workshop in Colorado Springs and the photography workshop at Churchill Downs. Each of these not only inspired me and taught me more than I could have imagined, but they also allowed me to meet and interact with many other talented photographers (students and instructors). Whether I need it or not, I've thought several times about applying for the SportsShooter Academy workshops just because I love being around that environment of learning, inspiration and growth. So don't rely on just your school education - look for other ways to grow and expand as a photographer.
5. It's not what you know OR who you know, it's where you're at. Think about this one for a second, it's a little more soup du jour than meat and potatoes main course advice. By "where you're at" I not only mean geographically where you're at, but I mean where you are with your education, your photography skills, your work ethic/drive, and even your balance in your own life. To continue to succeed in this world I believe you need to constantly ask yourself these questions and work to answer them. Are you willing to move somewhere for a job, even if it means leaving your comfort zone? Are you willing to learn more, break some old habits, deconstruct some of your photography so you can build it back up? Are things in balance for you? If there's one thing I've learned (and am continuously learning, because I'm no wise sage veteran of photography by any means), it's that balance can help keep things in perspective and keep a photographer happy (whether it's your religion, your family, your pursuit of other things outside photography, etc). Think about where you're at, where you want to go, and what it might take in today's "real world" to get there.
6. “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” -- Ansel Adams. In the end if you're going to succeed in photography you've got to take good pictures. Plain and simple. No if's, and's or but's. So while it's hard to not get caught up in the doom and gloom Chicken Little stuff ('cause it's real and it's happening), don't lose sight of the most basic and important reason of why we're all here in the first place.
If you've made it this far, I apologize for possibly wasting several minutes of your day, but hopefully there is something in this message than can help somebody somewhere in some little way. I had a little time on my hands so I figured I'd put some thoughts on the Internet.
My best wishes to all of us photographers out there; whether you're weathering the storm, getting turned upside down by it, or about to enter it.
-Garrett |
|
John Germ, Photographer
|
Wadsworth | Oh | USA | Posted: 12:41 PM on 12.22.09 |
->> Josh - I'm not a photojournalist by trade - but I am a working professional (photography is a 2nd job) with a college degree. Here's my opinion as such: your career is YOUR responsibility. Fun classes and programs don't necessarily translate into careers. What we would love to do and what people are willing to pay us to do are two entirely different things.
So, first thing's first - you need to decide some things: how far are you willing to relocate after graduation? What career fields are you willing to enter into? Given those two answers you then need to research specific jobs that are available in those fields and in the areas you're willing to relocate to. Then you need to research what requirements those jobs have. You may find that even if there are jobs you'll have a gap between what they want and what experience you have.
Also, you have to start looking at some practical matters - what standard of living do you want to have and what type of lifestyle? Not things most 20 year olds think about. But important questions - especially important when determining where you wish to live and the associated cost of living in that area.
For photography work (non PJ) that will likely involve calling or visiting studios and inquiring about work. The days of going to college, getting a degree and picking from a dozen jobs are over for most degree programs - certainly for PJ work. So, you need to do some research so you can spend the next year and a half positioning yourself to having a job that can pay your bills when you graduate.
Sadly, many educational institutions really fall down in helping you get employment. Too many think of their goal as just education rather than preparing you for and helping you get gainful employment.
I'm sure others who are full time PJs or photographers can give you more photography specific advice. But hopefully you can gain something from this general approach as well. Good luck to you. |
|
Andrew Link, Photographer
|
West Bend | WI | USA | Posted: 2:29 PM on 12.22.09 |
->> Josh,
I graduated with a PJ degree in May 2008 and felt the same way as I didn't have a clue as to where I would find a job hearing of all these layoffs. My best advice if you really want to stick with the PJ career is to get as much experience as you can while in school. It will: 1. Give you knowledge you won't learn in the classroom, 2. Look great on the resume and 3. Give you an advantage over the lazy PJ students just doing enough to graduate.
While I was in school, I landed a part-time staff photographer position with the city's daily newspaper where I shot anything and everything that would happen during my work schedule for my junior and senior years. On top of that, I was the photo editor for my college's weekly newspaper my senior year. I was shooting a lot and that's would helped me improve.
After graduating, I got an internship at the a decent-sized daily paper and was treated like a staffer from the beginning. it was a great experience and learned much more working with the staff at the Quad-City Times in Davenport, Iowa. When that ended, I had nothing planned and started applying to openings and lived at home for a couple months.
In February, I was then hired for a full-time position as a staff photographer for a company with a couple weekly newspapers and other publications in Northwest Iowa.
In November, I was hired as a staff photographer at a small daily paper in Eastern Wisconsin. I am right where I want to be and feel secure with my job despite the newspaper economy.
In short, my message is stick with it if you really want to. There are jobs out there! I got two in the last year. I have been flexible with where I would move to because I just want to do this as career and will go anywhere to do it.
There is hope! If you have any questions, shoot me an email.
Good luck! |
|
Nick Morris, Photographer
|
San Marcos | CA | United States | Posted: 3:02 PM on 12.22.09 |
| ->> Hey Josh, Garrett couldn't have said it any better. The most important thing you can do for yourself as a PJ is BUSINESS SCHOOL!! You need to have a very solid understanding of business management and marketing to compete in this field now. I'm a full time Photojournalist/Photographer and if it were not for my wife's amazing business skills I would not have made it in this industry. I focused entirely on the photographic end of this industry and passed on the opportunities to advance my business skills... BIG mistake and I regret it it. I wouldn't say you need to shop other industries. You just need to be VERY diverse in photography and be able to cross shoot in all fields. I wish you luck and hope to stand next to you sometime in the field. If you ever need any help feel free to hit me up. |
|
Travis Haughton, Photographer
|
Crystal Lake | IL | USA | Posted: 4:00 PM on 12.22.09 |
->> Run Away. Fast.
At least until Steve Jobs fixes newspapers. |
|
Chuck Liddy, Photographer
|
Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:57 PM on 12.22.09 |
| ->> Josh, since no one seems to want to give you anything but the old "follow your dreams, your passion and what you love" advice which is what so often is pitched here let me give you some cold hard facts. that is total bullshit. sorry to be blunt. "they" who are telling you "being in school is the best place we can be right now" are telling you the truth...because they don't and WON'T tell you the horror stories out "here". I'm sure these are some of your instructors, who, quite frankly are doing a huge disservice to kids like you by telling you if you love this job, have passion and stick with it you will be fine. there is no other term for this line of thought other than bullshit. yeah, I'll get yelled at by members of academia and some of the pollyana types but I call 'em as I see 'em. the PJ schools have been lying to you people for the past five years. Passion, love, even talent aren't going to get you a job. Hell, there are no jobs. I don't know how many times those of us who work day in and day out have to point out to you guys that the job market is shrinking. the paper I work at, a large metro, (or medium for those who might want to nitpick) had 18 shooters, five picture editors, five image techs and hired freelancers five years ago....we now have 12 shooters, three picture editors and ZERO image techs and hire freelancers infrequently. and it's not getting better. I would suggest to you that you should be thinking about "plan B", as we call it, even though you haven't gotten to plan A. No disrespect to anyone here but folks who aren't in the newspaper business fulltime (which is what I took Josh to be speaking about ) shouldn't be blowing smoke up his ass. It's not helpful. |
|
Craig Mitchelldyer, Photographer, Assistant
|
Portland & Orange County | OR and CA | USA | Posted: 12:48 AM on 12.23.09 |
->> I've seen Liddy cranky before, but he's really on a roll tonight! But, in his special way of saying it, he's right. There are not very many, if any at all, newspaper jobs out there to be had.
However, that doesn't mean there aren't tons o ways to make good money as a photographer. Hell, I'm not sure why anyone would want a staff job anyway. Long hours. Crappy pay. Don't own your pictures, crappy pay, etc, etc.
My advice: Find your style, your specialty and own it. It kind of funny, to get a newspaper job you have to be awesome at everything. Sports, News, Features, etc. To be a successful freelancer you have to throw that out the window and just be really good at one thing. Do you live and excel at sports? Then be a sports photographer and market that. Portraits? Make portraits better than anyone around you market yourself to people that will want that kind of photography. Follow that simple formula, work your ass off, and you'll make way more as a freelancer than a staffer and still have time to have a life too. |
|
Jeff Stanton, Photographer
|
Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 12:58 AM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> Listen Josh, Chuck Liddy just told you the way it is out here. Before it's too late, switch your major to something that you can find a job and where there is a future. Dreams are one thing, reality is another. Reality will keep you out of the poor house. |
|
Chuck Liddy, Photographer
|
Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 1:26 AM on 12.23.09 |
->> Oh hell, I forgot something.
Merry Christmas and God Bless us everyone!! |
|
Vasiliy Baziuk, Photographer
|
Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 1:35 AM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> If I was a photojournalism or a journalism professor the first thing I would do is take my whole class to the admissions office and have them change their major. |
|
Thomas B. Shea, Photographer
|
Pearland/Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 1:42 AM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> If I may say something. I have been a University Photographer for the University of Houston for the past 8 years. You don't shoot spot news, ( very rare) but you do shoot sports, become good at lighting locations and features. I shoot for 4 magazines , the web site , marketing pieces, advertising and do multi media from time to time. The money pays about a medium size to large metro paper pays and you work pretty much 40 hours a week. It is not a newspaper job but it comes pretty close. Think how many universities and colleges there are in the USA. Check out www.upaa.org . There is even a little travel. You might not get a job at a newspaper but their are other jobs that need photojournalism skills. |
|
Zach Ornitz, Photographer
|
Syracuse | Ny | USA | Posted: 4:25 AM on 12.23.09 |
->> Hi Josh,
I rarely comment on threads but yours caught my eye. After working on staff at a newspaper for 7 years and stringing for publications both regionally and nationally, I willingly decided to quit my job this past spring to return to grad school. I recognized that there were skills I needed and I wasn't learning them fast enough while working in the industry. School is not a bad place to be right now.
Unfortunately Chuck is right. He's pessimistic and bleak, but right. (He is wrong, however, as to what they are preaching in school). The old model is dead. Newspapers, as they exist today, are an endangered species. The days of the globe-trotting staff photographer funded by a major news outlet are probably numbered as well.
Nobody has a magic crystal ball and all of us are currently probing in the dark. Everyone immersed in the industry are confused as to whether print media on the whole is imploding in on itself, or in the the early stages of a revolution.
As Chuck so bluntly put it (all the other curmudgeons out there), you should not be putting your eggs in newspaper industry basket. In fact, the sooner you begin thinking about what exists beyond the confines of a daily rag, the better off you'll be. You don't have to be a staff photojournalist to make a difference. The long and the short of is that what photojournalists know how to do is to tell a story in a visual manner. That is powerful skill that people will pay for.
Start thinking about your ability to plug into the NGOs. They have important social messages to deliver (where you can make a difference) and they have money to promote their agendas. Also don't rule out corporate America as a possible avenue for storytelling.If you desire a more traditional editorial path, perhaps a hopeful glimpse into the future is presenting itself with the new business model Sports Illustrated is proposing. Their new online product will require talented individuals to build and maintain websites, produce a constant flow of new content (both stills and multimedia), produce material for advertising links imbedded in the pages, etc.
School is a great place to be because you have the opportunity to learn skills that can still make documentary photography a viable career path. (Notice I did not specify photojournalism). You should be focusing your efforts on learning any skill that will enable you to be a content producer for an online product. Embrace every avenue of new technology. Learn multimedia skills and look at the content produced by the documentary film world. Start working with a HD video camera. It's also not a bad idea take a web design course or two or learn After Effects. it is essential that you create and maintain your individual brand and begin promoting yourself online. (This my personal goal for 2010.)
There is still opportunity for the business-minded storyteller. Soak up every option available to you within the umbrella of visual content production and you are bound to land on your feet once you leave the warm nest of academia.
Cheers,
Zach Ornitz
Multimedia Storyteller
(Happy Holidays and good luck to everyone in the new year.) |
|
Robert Seale, Photographer
|
Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 8:17 AM on 12.23.09 |
->> "Should I be investing in these alterative fields now?"
Yes.
Law school wouldn't be a bad idea either. |
|
David Eulitt, Photographer
|
Kansas City | MO | USA | Posted: 10:15 AM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> There are NO jobs. It's a simple as that. |
|
Andrew Link, Photographer
|
West Bend | WI | USA | Posted: 11:12 AM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> To be more realistic and less dramatic, there are very few PJ jobs at newspapers open at a time. Like now there are six listed on JournalismJobs. A few jobs will always be available out there, but they will be highly competitive. |
|
Will Powers, Photographer
|
Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 11:25 AM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> Thanks Tiny Chuck |
|
Will Powers, Photographer
|
Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 11:31 AM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> When I was in J-school at Arizona State, the requirement was that you take lot and lots of courses away from journalism such as marine biology, etc. You can easily write or photograph about the field with background. Newspaper jobs are drying up or gone, but there are financial opportunities to use your skills in a field that draws on your other intellectual interests. |
|
Aaron Bell, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Belleville | ON | Canada | Posted: 12:37 PM on 12.23.09 |
->> Josh - if you are passionate about photography and making a living at it, you will.
It's true that the old model of graduating PJ and getting a full time gig at a daily is pretty rare these days. But making it as a professional baseball player is pretty rare as well. That doesn't mean that it can't happen - even if hundreds of people are happy to tell you that it can't.
If you are willing to put in the time and effort to be among the best and are willing to sacrifice as much for your career as a pro athlete does for their career, you can get there.
It might not be the path that you have seen others take or think you will take yourself, but in my opinion, there was a bigger appetite for professional quality photography in 2009 than any other year in history. You just have to find your way of making it work for you.
I completely agree with Garrett's post. I took Business Admin in college before anything else and if you can see how to make something work from a business end, you are on your way to creating your own gig.
Best of luck to you.
Aaron |
|
Chris Jordan, Photographer
|
Bay Area | CA | United States | Posted: 1:56 PM on 12.23.09 |
->> If you are serious about the "specialization in Video Production" line on your member page then the best advice I can give to you is to pursue that with every waking moment left in your time at school. Although there are not many or any full-time still photo jobs, there is a lot of work to be had as a video storyteller. Whether it is as a shooter, editor, motion graphics expert, many places - outside of newspapers - are hiring young, talented videophiles. I recommend doing a craiglist list search for "video" or "video editor" in major and even mid-sized markets and seeing what comes up that interests you. Then spend the rest of your time at OU going after the skill set and reel that will get you in the door of a production house doing creative and cool work.
If you are more interested in still photography then listen to Craig Mitchelldyer. His advice is spot on.
If you are interested in newspapers then listen to Chuck and David and me for that matter. There is no future in these organizations. There is however a future in journalism and storytelling more broadly. Look at up and coming online news sources or creative production studios. They are quick, smart, creative and don't have the word "paper" in there names - which gives them a much better chance of surviving the revolution in storytelling that is now underway.
Good Luck -
Chris Jordan
http://www.chrisjordanphotography.com |
|
Grant Blankenship, Photographer
|
Macon | GA | USA | Posted: 2:11 PM on 12.23.09 |
->> Josh,
Learn to be a good shooter. Learn to gather and edit audio and video. Cultivate empathy for your subjects. Remain flexible and adventurous in terms of how you will be willing to employ those skills. When an opportunity arises, take it.
Whatever you do, don't panic.
Good luck and don't let the rest of us get you down.
Grant B. |
|
David Seelig, Photographer
|
Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 2:35 PM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> I shoot part time for a paper and I would not want to do this 5 days a week. It is hard grueling work in many ways 10 years of ribbon cuttings and things like that have destroyed many a good shooter. Learn lighting, learn video, have a side shooting buisness from any job you might have, if you can get one. I shoot pro football for a card company, I shoot for an arena here in Idaho, never in this world have all you eggs in one basket. One more thing if there is anything else you can do to make money and enjoy do that instead. |
|
Chuck Liddy, Photographer
|
Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 5:19 PM on 12.23.09 |
->> CAUTION: SARCASM ALERT
I love some of the advice here on good ole SS. I mean I actually now have a Plan B! And the best part is I will make LOTS of dough. I have a passion for basketball. I mean I love basketball, I can shoot the three, play great defense and have some decent ball handling skills. I'm going to forget the fact that I don't have any experience in the big game and there are a ton of people already out there playing...no siree, I am PASSIONATE about baskeyball AND making a living from it....so I will...no matter what the market is now, or will be or how many people are naysayers (although they speak from experience and actually know the basketball market) I will be a professional basketball player just because I want to be....and I'll be rich!!!
SARCASM ALERT DISCONTINUED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME |
|
Zach Ornitz, Photographer
|
Syracuse | Ny | USA | Posted: 5:36 PM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> Chuck, perhaps you should be more receptive to the underlying message from this thread and be open to a different avenue. I hear they have a some leagues in Europe, Canada, South America, Asia, etc. I mean, you've got to be taller than most Indonesians... |
|
David Ryder, Photographer, Student/Intern
|
Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 7:00 PM on 12.23.09 |
| ->> Josh, somebody's gotta do it. It you want it to be you, go for it! Good luck. |
|
Michael Fischer, Photographer
|
Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 8:00 PM on 12.23.09 |
->> Josh, if you search the threads you'll see I've been beating the drum for business courses since I joined SS. I'm not a full time PJ, but I am fulltime business and the advice about newspapers is damn good.Mr. Liddy and Mr.Seale, with all of their talent and skill are telling you hard,cold truths. Be smart enough to accept it.
Newspapers will be around, but not to the dominant extent they once were. The problem is, no one knows what will replace them - if anything does - and to what extent.
Everyone on here loves the light and the joy in bringing a story to others. That's not at issue. Whether you'll have the tools and willingness to adapt is.
Remember, colleges treat those departments like profit centers. Departments that attract more students are more profitable. Whether they do a good job of preparing someone is another story. Tough to pay off student loans when you can't do what you trained to do because it no longer exists as a career. THINK ABOUT THAT.
Have options. If you go back and read the stories, you'll see that weddings and portraits as well as other types of photography are areas that working PJs migrated to.
None of this situation is really new. Even 35+ years ago I wrestled with being a full time journalist as opposed to being something else. Think about that - 35 years ago. Guys that I went to high school with that went on the write for major newspapers left the industry 20 plus years ago. Think about that. I can read a balance sheet,love economics, write, and make decent predictions about the future because of what I learned in college. I've won enough photography awards - and I did it without taking one photography course.
So don't be fooled. Get the liberal arts education. Take LOTS of business courses. Be as well rounded as you can be. Learn to THINK.
Going down the PJ road with nothing else is not a good course. Take the education of several disciplines, and then see if being a visual journalist still makes sense for you.
Good luck. |
|
Stanley Leary, Photographer
|
Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 9:59 PM on 12.23.09 |
->> If in the hay day of this profession we would encourage people to look for other careers for similar reasons cited already.
You cannot be good and make it full-time, you have to be incredibly tenacious and so passionate this is all you think about. You must not just be a better than good shooter, you have to have the skills to get people to want to hire you and work with you.
Just about all professions are getting hit hard in this recession. But photojournalism is getting hit harder than many other professions. This is the most difficult time to get into this profession that I have ever heard of in the time of the history of photography.
If you are willing to work harder at this than everyone else--you might have a shot at it.
If you read the book Outliers by Malcom Gladwell you will see there are seasons for certain professions and timing that allows some people to make it while other do not.
There is one thing Malcom talks about in the book which I think does apply as good advice on this topic. It takes about 10,000 hours to master something. That is 3 hours a day for 10 years. Put in 6 hours a day and you can cut that to 5 years.
Using Chuck Liddy's sports analogies a little let me expand on his thoughts.
If you were to come out of college playing quarterback and the past few years they have had a bumper crop of awesome quarterbacks, then unless you are the very best, they will look over you no matter how good you are.
However, if the teams are desperate for a quarterback you would have a great shot at it.
Today's market has less teams and they are not short of talent. The two of these things happening at once is why this is a horrible time to find a job.
Will some find jobs out of college? Yes, but that number is fewer than it has been in the industries history. |
|
David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
David Harpe, Photographer
|
Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 1:18 AM on 12.24.09 |
->> If you're already an "aspiring photojournalist", no one is going to be able to tell you not to do it. People just don't work that way. What it means is you're going to have to try it and find out one way or the other whether it works.
What you can take away from all of the above are two key points:
a) Have a backup plan, preferably in the form of a degree or at least a minor in a marketable field (i.e. law, business, computers, etc.)
b) It's going to be rockstar tough. It is very unlikely that you will be able to succeed in making a living as a photojournalist long term.
The backup plan is important not just for practicality, but also because it makes you a more interesting person. Unidimensional people are not great at striking up conversations or getting to know people. If you have other interests and other skills, it will help you with your photojournalism.
Something I would add to the two points above is to make a couple of promises to yourself before you start on your quest. You need to set limits so you don't blindly screw yourself completely in life. The promise should be something like:
"If any of the following happens, I will immediately switch to my backup plan and devote all my energy to getting a job in another field:
1. I reach age 30 and I am not averaging $40k a year in gross revenue.
2. I accumulate more than $15,000 in debt (excluding student loans)
3. I make no net profit in four consecutive months.
4. I get married and I am not making more than $50k per year.
"
Sign it, date it and post it on your refrigerator. Share it with your family and friends so they can keep you honest.
When you are trying to make something work in a tough field, it's very easy to get caught by the "one more month" bug. "If that gig comes through", or "If I can shoot that in the fall", or "If I can get my web site redone". This kind of wishful thinking can go on forever...and it gets easier to extend the longer you've been running at a loss. You'll have a harder time admitting you were wrong on year five than year one because you've invested so much. By quantifying your limits at the outset, you can stay focused on your goals.
You can follow your dreams if you're practical about it, use common sense, and promise yourself you're not going to let your life become a mess, even if it means changing careers.
Good luck... |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|