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| *SoulEyes Photography>>>Professional Photographer |
How does one become a freelance photographer? |
Though I do not have professional training, I take hundreds of photos and feel I am good enough to go into this line of business. Over the past few years I have been fortunate enough to travel the globe and have some outstanding photographs of nature and the like from Iceland to Egypt. I would like to find some freelance work, but have no idea how to go about this. I'd appreciate any advice you may be willing to give. Thank you. It's easy to look at one's work - especially of foreign lands - and have strong feelings of satisfaction. However, I would encourage you to have someone take a look at your work, preferably a professional photographer, and have them make some suggestions. Your best bet is to look at your work critically. VERY critically. You may have natural talent, but if that's the case, you're the exception, not the rule. Even the best photographers bemoan unnecessary elements, a slight blur in a moving hand, blown out highlights, etc. While it's true that you don't need professional training, you should become a lifelong student of photography if you want to pursue freelancing. One of the best places to learn is at your local library. In addition to reading about technique, composition and equipment, study the work of master photographers and photojournalists. Learn about the particulars of shadow, midtones and highlights. Learn about proper lighting (both natural and artificial), different speed films and different camera formats (especially medium format). More than anything, try to educate yourself to the point that you can accurately (or fairly accurately) predict the appearance of the photo before you trip the shutter. As far as freelancing your work, there are usually small newspapers and specific interest magazines that are always looking for good freelancers. Don't expect to be paid very much in the beginning. The competition is fierce. Try to focus your training into whatever field of photography you are interested in (events, portraits, weddings, performances, nature, architectural, etc.). If you decide to go into freelancing for magazines, look for "Photographers Market," which is available at most large libraries and is updated yearly. This book gives you lists of potential clients. First of all, get a website. It doesn't have to be fancy, just enough so people can go online and look at your work. Then, post your website on www.craigslist.org in whatever city you live in. People go on there often looking for discount photographers, and that is what you will be until you become established. You can try other online classifieds, like the one of your local newspaper too. Also, work on your networking skills. Tell everyone you know that you are going to work as a freelance photographer. Word of mouth gets around very quickly. You never know who might have a friend getting married, or have some sort of event or photography need. So just get the word out. Good luck!! |
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