[sim667]

So I've kinda been drifting since I left University, I graduated in photography and got a grade I was pleased with.... but ever since I've been drifting a bit.

I need to make some decisions about what I want to do properly as a career and go for it but I'm still not 100% sure.

Ive worked as a photography technician at a college and thoroughly enjoyed that job, I've applied for loads of photography jobs since and never seem to get them due to 'lack of experience' or 'not quite what we're looking for'. What annoys me about this is i always get told that at interviews after they've looked at my CV and invited me in?!?!

So I've also worked as an AV and IT technician, both jobs i enjoy thoroughly but both jobs I have had no real training for.

The alternative is to become a teacher (lecturer in photography).....

Anyone got any other suggestions about what I could do or know anything I dont about the type of jobs I'm interested in.

Just so you know I currently work as a part time AV technician at an adult education college

[J80FAB]

I don't know what it's like out there regarding photography as a profession or freelance photography but have you not considered becoming a (professional) photographer & joining various recognised associations such as the British Press Photographer's Association & Chartered Institute of Journalists ?

Someone I knew apparently does the stuff I've mentioned above, & for a fact doesn't have any formal training or qualifications in photography or journalism for that matter and is a member of the above institutions ! I think they only require an annual subscription fee

I know what you mean about drifting and the fact that when you go for interviews and are told 'lack of experience' or 'not quite what we're looking for' sort of doesn't help matters.

[Mr_Wistles]

Well my recent experience in the land of photography (wedding) shows that they make a bundle.

Have you thought of getting into that? undercut the competition to begin and go from there.

Could also be worth emailing pr companies and saying you will cover their events. I have a friend who has just started doing this, with no experience (he used to make double glazed window units) and now he is on the red carpet etc.. all the time.

[avinitski]

have you tried using agencies to find you jobs?

believe me they want to find you the right job as they make an obscene amount from placements.

[sim667]

I have to be completely honest and say that weddings really aren't my thing, Ive done one and really really didnt enjoy. Im mainly into still life, some portraiture and landscape and although I love photography I dont love it enough to do weddings . Im also not driven enough to work for myself, I do the odd commission, e.g. Ive just done a shoot of a kitchen range, and some portfolios for performers etc..... the problem with working for yourself is the money isnt always flowing, and ive just bought a house which i need to pay for :/

I much more of a technical person than anything else hence ive been considering technicians posts...... I've done technicians jobs before and thoroughly enjoy them, but i really need to start specialising instead of doing a bit of this and a bit of that. I also need to get out of my part time job into a full time job!

[sim667]

Originally Posted by avinitski

have you tried using agencies to find you jobs?

believe me they want to find you the right job as they make an obscene amount from placements.

I havent actually found any agencies that specialise in technical posts for AV and photography etc..... the ones i have found are 'agencies' but more like websites like monster.

[PoochJD]

Hi Sim667,

What about working as a portrait photographer? Couples, kids, men, women? Could be fun.

If you haven't already done so, try looking through various photographic magazines in WH Smiths, for jobs/possible career ideas. I'd also recommend using the computers at your local Jobcentre/Jobcentre Plus, as they are far more useful than you think, and you can find some interesting and unusual jobs through them, that you may not locate via other means.

Good Luck!


Pooch

[avinitski]

Originally Posted by sim667

I havent actually found any agencies that specialise in technical posts for AV and photography etc..... the ones i have found are 'agencies' but more like websites like monster.

off the top of my head i know of one. although it may focus more on film, anyway just pop them an email?

www.thecrewingcompany.com

[The Dude]

I'd agree with Russell.

An employee is only a paid slave anyway, if you've got a skill with a market value then you need to be self-employed.

I can say from family experience that the wedding industry is probably one of the safest bets you will ever make. If you can't be a florist, be a photographer.

Get an Ad in your local paper, get an ad in your yellow pages, get some practice in, then sit back and wait for summer.


Forget about IT would be my only other advice, too many peeps like yourself ruining the money for the rest of us.

[sim667]

I have avoided weddings for a reason..... because I'd rather be doing geeky things, Im happy with the amount of freelance jobs I get but want to get a 'proper' career rather than finding my own work etc.

If you actually look at the average earnings of a wedding photographer they only earn around 24,000 per year... I think I would like to go into teaching, but I need to get qualified hence im trying to stay along the technician route for the mo

As for taking photos of kids, children give me nightmares and cold sweats..... Also im not the type of person who jumps around and looks like an idiot to get a smile out of the kids.

[sim667]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Forget about IT would be my only other advice, too many peeps like yourself ruining the money for the rest of us.

If the 'IT technicians' at my place of work did what they were meant too then peeps like me wouldnt have to come along and ruin the money for peeps like you

[The Dude]

You work at a college..... they are not 'IT technicians'

They may work in the IT dept.... but, at a college.

[PoochJD]

Sim,

You said:

Originally Posted by sim667

As for taking photos of kids, children give me nightmares and cold sweats..... Also im not the type of person who jumps around and looks like an idiot to get a smile out of the kids.

That I understand, but I was trying to give you a subtle hint about taking photos, more along the "naturalistic", "unkempt or unclothed" or "modelling" route. You know, hint, hint, HINT!


Pooch

[Mr_Wistles]

[QUOTE=sim667;6168011]
If you actually look at the average earnings of a wedding photographer they only earn around 24,000 per year... QUOTE]

Well we looked at five round our way, all of them for 7 hours of coverage wanted 2k+ and I bet they work longer than 12 days a year.

[sim667]

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Sim,

You said:



That I understand, but I was trying to give you a subtle hint about taking photos, more along the "naturalistic", "unkempt or unclothed" or "modelling" route. You know, hint, hint, HINT!


Pooch

Really really not my style at all This is more up my street

The dude I see what your saying, maybe you could come here and show them how its done

Russell.... please dont forget its not 2K for seven hours, think about how many photos they will take in that time, then they have to post process, print, the time it took to find the work. Wedding photography really doesnt appeal to me, i dont like posing people (i.e. telling them what to do).... I literally just want to go to work and enjoy my time of doing things..... but at the same time i dont wanna be stuck working in an office im not the shirt and shoes type

[Jenn]

I have no idea how it works but how about making photos of stuff used in brochures/websites etc (e.g. picture of a phone handset, a wrapped up gift box) that you get on websites like Getty Images and then you get royalties everytime people use them?

[sim667]

Originally Posted by Jenn

I have no idea how it works but how about making photos of stuff used in brochures/websites etc (e.g. picture of a phone handset, a wrapped up gift box) that you get on websites like Getty Images and then you get royalties everytime people use them?

Yeah i do that anyway, stock librairies, getty images is a dirty word amongst self respecting photographers Alamy are much better

[Jenn]

Originally Posted by sim667

getty images is a dirty word amongst self respecting photographers

Why is that? They seem to be everywhere on TV and magazines/newspapers

[sim667]

Originally Posted by Jenn

Why is that? They seem to be everywhere on TV and magazines/newspapers

Basically they tried to implement a system where image purchasers could buy a set amount of different images for a one of payment, the purchasers would then be allowed to reproduce these images as many times as they wanted. The problem with this is although it gets the agency more customers the photographers loose out on money as they are only getting paid a set fee and not getting paid each time the image was reproduced. i.e. a magazine company could buy an image, print it in a magazine, then decide they want to use it in another and another and another without paying any extra..... you see?

[Jenn]

That's why they're everywhere then !

Feel free not to answer the question if it's inappropriate but I've seen the prices Getty Images charge and I wonder how much would the photographer get out of that?

[sim667]

I dont know..... ive never submitted work to getty....

A. It depends on whether they're using the system I described before, or whether the photographer is on a rights managed scheme.

B. The fact of the matter is that the big stock librairies arent actually making a huge amount even though they have about a 90% of the market share. Thats why its so difficult for smaller stock agencies and sole photographers to sell their own work.

The truth of the matter is if your a pushover the stock librairies will take the p*ss, if your not a pushover they'll try and take the p*ss, you'll argue against and nothing will get done until it goes to small claims court...

[sim667]

Back on topic a recruitment agency rang me with a job they want me to apply for doing events

YAY!