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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Where to turn when local papers have no freelance budget?
Doug Strickland, Photographer
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Chattanooga | TN | USA | Posted: 9:52 PM on 11.24.10 |
->> I graduated from college in the spring of this year from an area where I got at the very least occasional freelance work with the local newspapers, but my lack of sustainable business in the area forced me to move back home. I now live in an area that has a large daily metro paper and several outlying communities with smaller papers, but none have any budget for freelance work. The daily metro is putting all of its budget towards keeping its staffers employed, and the other papers simply have no funds.
I'm not sure where to go from here, as I don't really have the choice of moving anywhere else. I have a part time job that allows me enough time during the week to schedule photo work and still provide me with extra income, but of course any work that pops up is few and far between. I've contacted publications outside of my area with little luck.
I'm not sure what to try from here. I can do portraits, wedding photography, and other sorts of work to make ends meet but I still want to do editorial work. Should I work on specializing in another area for the time being, and simply take what little editorial work I might be able to find?
I think a big problem I am facing is generally a lack of motivation to shoot any sort of news or feature work. Without any hope of publication or payment, it seems like a waste of my resources to simply go out and hunt for photo opportunities. I'm afraid, though, that without regular shooting I'm going to lose my eye, so to speak.
I guess I'm mostly looking for suggestions, I'm not expecting much encouragement given the current state of the industry. I knew what I signed up for, I'm just looking for suggestions on how to better go about marketing myself. |
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Dylan Lynch, Photographer, Assistant
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 11:16 PM on 11.24.10 |
| ->> get photos in front of them and make sure that they are better than what the current freelance crop is providing. if they're not, you shouldn't get work with them, if they are - they should give you a try at least. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 11:43 PM on 11.24.10 |
->> look into doing corporate and public realtions work. Talk to everyone. The more people you talk to, the more people know what you do, the more work can possibly come your way.
One day shooting a corporate job will make you more than you would make shooting for a paper for a month and will give you the freedom to then do what you really want.
Also-check to see what AP has available in your area. |
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Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
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Beaumont | CA | USA | Posted: 2:54 AM on 11.25.10 |
| ->> I second what Debra said. Looking at your portfolio, you've got some growing to do, just like me, but keep trying different types of photography to keep food on the table. Debra's right on the button about commercial photography. I might make another suggestion that was given to me: be an assistant to a successful freelance photographer. This will help you learn the "right" way to do things so you can prevent any pitfalls that might come your way. Good luck! |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Sycamore | IL | USA | Posted: 8:44 AM on 11.25.10 |
->> I have been right where you are Doug, it's tough going but there is hope if you stay flexible and focused.
Tap into social media and use it to its fullest potential. PhotoShelter has a great report on using social media to find and keep photo work, and the the ASMP has good tips too. Both organizations have Facebook pages that regularly have informative and motivational wall postings. Total cost: Zero.
You are right about wanting to shoot to keep sharp and motivated. I sometimes photograph events on my own just because the event interests me, or because I think I can make/maintain valuable contacts there, or because I think photos of the event might have commercial value (either selling to a newspaper or selling prints to participants) or because the photos may have value down the road (shooting an annual event like a festival or parade... next year a newspaper may want to use photos of this year's event for a preview story).
Stay visible, stay connected, and stay motivated. Keep shooting.
Start a blog and become your own news organization. Shoot what you want, when you want, where you want and how you want - then write the story to go with the photos. Create multimedia projects whenever you can. When someone asks who you're shooting for, you can tell them honestly, "I'm a freelancer. Today I am shooting photos for a story on my blog. Here are a few of my business cards." |
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Doug Strickland, Photographer
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Chattanooga | TN | USA | Posted: 12:56 AM on 11.26.10 |
->> Thanks for the advice everyone, I appreciate it. I definitely agree that I'm still growing as a photographer, the problem is getting the practice and experience I need when I don't have the opportunities. I think I'm going to have to work very hard to stay on top of events in my area and to work on my own projects from this point on. This will help my visibility too, as suggested by a few people here.
How successful, in your experience, can cold calling businesses who might need photography be? If I want to start expanding my horizons into realms like corporate photography I'm not really sure how to get any initial work to build upon. |
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Brad Mangin, Photographer
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Pleasanton | CA | USA | Posted: 4:14 AM on 11.26.10 |
->> Doug- there are some wonderful people here in the message board on our site who can give you some great advice- but there is only so much career advice you can gleam from a message board.
Find a local mentor. A good one. Take this person out to lunch. Buy them expensive cocktails. Network. Learn to be a GREAT assistant:
Assisting: 'A Foot in the Door'
By Darren Carroll
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1315
John ASMP. Attend one of their Strictly Business seminars. No one has to tell you how bad things are out there, but I will- again. IT SUCKS ASS FOR MANY PEOPLE. I have friends driving cabs who are freaking legends in the business.
You need to learn and get better- but this takes time. Lots of it. Christ- I am 45 years old and still learning every day. For someone your age with your lack of experience everyone will be out to screw you, make you give up your copyright and/or not pay you. But hey you get the trill of a byline. That is a bunch of crap. Have some self-respect and read Darren's article above and really learn the business.
If this is your passion and the only thing you want in life at this time I always believe good things can happen. But- you can't half-ass it. You need to take your time, learn your craft and build up some credibility. You do this by paying your dues, making a good name for yourself, and making GREAT freaking pictures. Learn to edit your portfolio on your site- it needs work.
Sorry to write so much here but I just got back from Thanksgiving at my sisters and after that can of Coke I drank on the ride home I am wide awake.
Find someone there in your area who will help you. Don't be a pest, be cool. Be helpful, and be receptive to his or her advice.
Like I said above- you will get some good advice here from others- and some not so good advice. However- you are the only person who knows what is right for you. You need to make the final decisions. Best of luck to you. |
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Thomas Boyd, Photographer
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Portland | OR | USA | Posted: 2:06 PM on 11.27.10 |
->> Brad gives excellent caffeine-fueled advice here.
Many of your assignments will come from other photographers. It's important to network and do good work, so they know you, respect you, and know how to get a hold of you.
If I get a call for an assignment, that I don't want to do, or can't schedule, I'll do my best to find someone for the photo editor who called. I have a short list of shooters I'll hook up with assignments and I know just about everyone in town. Conversely, when I do this, I will often get calls reciprocating that favor. The editors love it too because it makes their job much easier.
Take what Brad says very seriously about not half-assing it. There's only one way to succeed in this business and it will take 100 percent of your effort. It's a tough racket. |
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Kevin Johnston, Photographer
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Oden | MI | USA | Posted: 7:31 PM on 11.27.10 |
->> I have started a blog as Curtis suggested. It has steadily been building in popularity and helps me keep in practice. It also helps show potential clients that I can halfway write. At least get it close enough that an editor can make it work without to much trouble.
I have also set up my Photoshelter site as my own little wire service and I use it to get info about things we are covering to editors thoughout the state. That way they can see our work and they can get ahold of me if they are interested in anything we are working on.
I am just starting to try to utilize the whole social media thing.
Our blog:
http://upnorthnewsandsports.blogspot.com/
Our service:
http://eaglefi.photoshelter.com/ |
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Doug Strickland, Photographer
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Chattanooga | TN | USA | Posted: 12:33 PM on 11.28.10 |
->> Thanks for the great feedback everyone, especially Brad's caffeine-fueled advice. I've been wondering for a while if photo assisting would need to be the next step, and this definitely confirms that. I have also begun looking into the ASMP and their mentoring program, as well as the local chapter.
Does anyone know of a good article on how to edit a portfolio? |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 1:04 PM on 11.28.10 |
->> Doug,
ASMP is the best choice!!
I joined ASMP back in 1985 as an Assistant Member, I'm now a General Member. I have served in my local BOD and even though we are in different cities, I would be glad to help you join.
Y |
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Brad Mangin, Photographer
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Pleasanton | CA | USA | Posted: 1:46 PM on 11.28.10 |
->> Hello Doug- you should check out our searchable archive here on the site with over 2,000 stories from past issues of the Newsletter going back to 1999. I just did a search for "portfolio" and came up with many stories. Here are a few highlights:
The Portfolio Critique: Rod Mar
Hannah Foslien reflects back on a portfolio critique that defined her passion.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/2268
Tips to Staying Out of the Out Pile
By Chip Litherland, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1604
Showing your book: bring just your best … and a lot more
By Porter Binks, Sports Illustrated
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1468
There is a ton of free content archived here on the site that should keep you busy for days. Also remember to check out the old videos from open judgings of our student contest.
You have a ton to learn- but that is ok. All you need to do is start, take your time, enjoy the journey, and see where it takes you. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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Michael McNamara, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 3:20 PM on 11.28.10 |
->> Doug,
You say that you aren't very interested in going out and doing news or feature assignments for yourself, but you want to still do editorial work. These seem incongruous. If you don't want to do it for yourself, you won't get any practice, and as you acknowledge, you'll lose your eye, making you even less likely to get hired.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. But you need to work on things you are interested in. One of the things you cite that you can do are portraits, but....
I would suggest that you work on lighting. It is one major skill that can really set you apart from other people that a publication would be looking at hiring. And "work on lighting" doesn't mean to play around with your strobe once a week or so. I mean that when you're not doing anything, put your strobe on a light stand and shoot photos. You don't need an assignment. Learn how to balance a strobe with ambient light. Work on lighting angles. Just use a soccer ball as your subject, and see what happens when you move a light to different positions. Move it closer, move it further away. See how the light wraps and how the shadows fall. Work on using window light for a main light and use your strobe for fill. Work on fill light with an off-camera cord.
Go to the library, and grab a stack of Vanity Fairs, and look at the portraits. Reverse engineer the lighting. Look Dan Winters' book. Look at Physiognomy by Mark Seliger. Look at Close Up by Martin Schoeller...all of the lighting, the camera setup and the positioning of the subjects in the book are identical, but the photos are incredibly diverse.
Find a set of blogs that you want to follow that will help you with lighting. Start with Strobist (the obvious choice) and diversify from there.
If you have some money sitting around, buy Zack Arias' One Light Workshop DVD. Go to the SportsShooter Lighting Luau.
When you have a conceptual portrait you want to do, hire a local model and do it for your portfolio. It might sound lame to say "hire a model," but they are comfortable in front of the camera, and won't get self-conscious like a normal subject might.
The possibilities are endless. Good luck. |
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Scott Evans, Photographer
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Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 5:40 PM on 11.29.10 |
->> some really great advice has been given already but maybe I have one additional piece that might help. I'd agree that chasing stories that are most likely already being covered is not much fun and less likely to find you more work unless your stuff is just that much better. On the other hand, chasing stories (think human interest here) that are not breaking news and not likely being covered might be a way to really make a name for yourself. Shooting these stories in a documentary style would be a great way for a paper to see your abilities firsthand and potentially a great way for them to increase content and thus, readership. Remember, they are in the business of selling papers (not just employing photographers who want to shoot editorial content) so its to you to provide them a way to do more of that. My suggestion might be a way to help you both by positioning yourself and the paper slightly differently.
Its just a thought but it might be an "in" for you and you might even find you enjoy that style more than chasing breaking news. Either way, best of luck and definitely keep shooting....lots. |
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