Advice please

Len · #21 (**permalink**) 30-05-2008, 16:57

Thanks Bev

Don't intend to now and thanks for the comments and encouragement

**genese** · #22 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 11:40

Stock photography to get a good return you need to have thousands of images uploaded onto their sites! and pray for a copyright sale!
there are many galleries shops restaurants that will take images on a percentage basis!
there are weddings portraits both working for studios or on a freelance basis.. i have taken on studio work for large companies before now to make ends meet.. its like a production line of people and you have to deal with the sales too (not everyones cup of tea)
There are lecturers jobs at universities ( this is the route i have taken for the time being)
Newspapers not very creative photography wise but again all of the above help make up an impressive CV
Shamelessly plug your business you will feel like an android and a bore its inevitable im afraid but people are not telepathic ! so business cards and give them to everyone (even that child sucking a lolly that looks cute )
Music photography! I started out many moons ago in this industry, Radio stations use photographers believe it or not! so do concert halls, promotions, the bands themselves!
Modelling agencies ( models need head shots)
publishing companies.. books have images on the covers.. and they have pictures of the author on the back!
card companies ... again another good way of earning
poster companies
Television companies you can either ring or send a card and contact sheet out with a short CV i would recommend the later!
there are loads more ...

**Eos1nrs** · #23 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 13:45

Hey you guys, just found this thread (again)...damn fine reading.

From my point of view, full time Pro work is hard work, both physically and mentally. As i work for a company, the finance side of things is sorted for me. If i were freelance, totally different matter and way more added stress.
ethos of our studio is simple. shoot less sittings, up the average sale, as much of a stress free environment as possible (to aid the creative process and a good working atmosphere) and set our prices to reflect our commitment to the highest quality, our professionalism, quality of service and also to reflect the talent we have here.
Not everyone spends. Some none at all, we take it on the chin and move on, some a few hundred, others into the 1000's. sometimes silly 1000's. I work every wknd (apart from yesterdays trip to see Bruce Springsteen in london). i miss out on parties, bbq's, school fetes, days out etc so the hard work is also reflected in our prices. its not for everyone and we NEVER COLD CALL. everyone one of our leads is by the choice of our customer. also, i dont see why i should work my jollies off and for small profit.
We dont do online viewing and i cant see us starting either. we control everything to do with the shoot, the viewing, the finished product, not something that is achievable by online viewing. Perfect colour, perfect presentation.
My hobby side of photography has suffered though. i dont get out much at all to shoot anything of my own (hence why PP's are so low)
if anyone wants to know anymore please feel free to PM me any q's they may have that they dont want to post here.
took me a long time to get here. years of bag carrying, tea making, lunch buying, hoovering, long hours, little pay but now i have some very famous names to my portfolio.
Andy

**genese** · #24 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 18:18

andy ive just been phoned by a company that wanted to use 99% of my expertise for 11.700 pm plus bonuses on top ...im still wondering what part of my CV made them think i would accept such a bad wage! i wont mention the companies name as i am sure someone would be really happy to have the foot hold on the career ladder, The job involves Sales and photography taking photos of babies full time ( no cold calling) no editing , composites and story boards straight out the camera! now am i the only one who thinks they are taking the mic?

**Dennyboy** · #25 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by genese

99% of my expertise for 11.700 pm plus bonuses on top ..

Wish i got half of £11,700 per Month!

Pete E · #26 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 18:33

Genese if you ment 12k pa then its poor, if you meant 12k pm then I think that most would say rip thier bloody arm off !!!!!!

**Eos1nrs** · #27 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 20:34

Ahh yes menace and pete, i was thinking monthly??? surely you'd say yes!!!
Guess it should be yearly.
Got to be honest G, some of your (if not most) landscapes are really stunning, you should be doing books, commissions, etc etc not always easy to crack that market, just think charlie waite..thats where i would be should if lady luck walked up to me and kissed me..

**genese** · #28 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eos1nrs

Ahh yes menace and pete, i was thinking monthly??? surely you'd say yes!!!
Guess it should be yearly.
Got to be honest G, some of your (if not most) landscapes are really stunning, you should be doing books, commissions, etc etc not always easy to crack that market, just think charlie waite..thats where i would be should if lady luck walked up to me and kissed me..

whoops that was per year ... i guess i just see my landscapes as fun work and just pop them on stock sites maybe i should take them more seriously! i just see my landscapes like most of what is already out there " those samey type landscape shots with foreground detail and interest taken at sunrise/sunset on a long exposure" although the same could be said of most photography styles... someones been there and done it before hand!
i have a 2 day trial at a studio called new>id next week which looks like a good company to work for.. and a few other job offers none of which i have said a firm yes or no too... landscapes cant really be a full time job which is a shame in a way!

steve.milner · #29 (**permalink**) 30-07-2008, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelh

Hi Ruma;

Hope you don't mind me adding onto your question but I similarly would love one day to come away from the day job- my add on is have I left it to late at 28??

Written off at 28!

You've got to be kidding.

Your best years are ahead of you.

Regards,

Steve

bymgale · #30 (**permalink**) 30-07-2008, 09:22

I have found some success snapping celebrity not enough to quit my day job but its a great feeling when you see your stuff published.
Its even nicer when you get paid.
I got my self in with a picture agency by sending in some celebrity images I had taken around Cardiff and they have since then called me when they need something covering in my area.

Some parts of London should offer plenty of opportunity to snap celebs although it will also mean you have lots of competition in the form of other photographers speed is one of the important factors.

You can register on line with companies like big pictures so if you have a laptop and a 3g dongle you can send your images to them a.s.a.p. don't worry about editing just send it (always read the terms and conditions carfully and never sign over your copyright.)

The other thing I would do is to give them a call as soon as you have sent them and ask if they can be used if its someone that they can sell they will want to get working on it before someone else does obviously it all depends on who you have snapped.
Im not suggesting it as a career move but it is a way to make some extra cash I suppose it depends what type of work your happy doing.