 - Jyan L. Crayton Contact Jyan L. Crayton Jyan L. Crayton's Gallery |
News, Fashion, Sport, etc. I currently employed as a Ophthalmic Photographer(Retinal Angiographer). I've been shooting events as needed in my area(New Orleans). I've been trying to get into other areas of photography to make big bucks, but been unsuccessful. I would like to freelance on my own and was wondering if anyone out their do sports, news, magazine, travel, etc. photography and what's a good way to get started? and also, are deegrees always required for these particular jobs I mentioned. Trying to make a living in Photography Thanks
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mark Feldstein |
Well Jyan, first, if you're looking to "make big bucks", you're probably barking up the wrong profession. I say that as a photojournalist with about 32 years experience both as a freelancer and staffer for various news services and publications. I also have undergrad and graduate degrees in journalism and law. They're not required, but when an editor is faced with ten applicants and two have college degrees, with all else being equal, chances are they'll pick the guy with the degree unless his /her portfolio is directly on target for the assignment they need photographed. The way to get started is to first compile a portfolio (and I MEAN a real portfolio) that demonstrates your skills at handling the types of photography you want to field assignments for. Then start meeting photo assignment editors at the publications and services you want to work for and show them your book. Leave them some promotional materials. Follow-up, follow-up, and follow-up. Persistence pays off. Honesty and integrity are equally important, if not more so and in many ways are more valuable to us as journalists than our equipment. Moreover, don't tell an editor you have experience shooting something when you haven't. That kind of rep will follow you forever. Believe it or not, but this is really a small and fairly tightly knit industry. A web site gives you some credibility too but it's not necessary. Personal contact and follow through is. Join professional associations and attend meeetings. Learn which ones might be most useful for you to participate in even on an associate level. Network, make contacts, find mentors, (we still exist ;>) and shoot lots and lots of work. Learn how to be your own best and worst critic. Make sure your work is released if it's required. Learn the laws, btw, that apply to privacy, for example, and photojournalism in your particular state. In fact, you'd probably do well to take courses in business law, accounting, marketing (self-promotion) and photography too. You should have a flexible business plan too. And above all else, know this going in: This is NOT by any means, a glamorous profession. It's one that requires a lot of very hard work to break into and then stay in, while you try and climb your way to the top. Travel photography? And get paid for it? Possibly, but if I were you, I wouldn't quit your day job just yet. Not for quite awhile. Getting into sports events on media access, also not likely unless it's an assignment. Read a lot, stretch your limits, target your audience, work hard and always eat your vegetables. :>))) Be well. Good luck to you ;>)
|
|
|
|
||
|
- Jyan L. Crayton Contact Jyan L. Crayton Jyan L. Crayton's Gallery |
Thank You very nuch for the information you've given and such a quick response. This info was very detailed adn helpful. You sure have a lot of experinece(impressive) Thank You, I'll remeber everything you stated and work at it. Thanks
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||