I read about professional photographers who will take on just about any assignment so long as it pays decently. But I look on my photography as artistic expression. I already work for someone doing something I like, so I'm thinking that if as a photographer, most of my paid assignments would be determined by some editor or art director, then why try to become a pro? I already get assigned work and make a good living at it. So should I just reserve my photography for artistic expression? If you are working doing assignments for clients, they will be involved in what you photograph and how you photograph it. That said, it's common, particularly for advertising and editorial jobs (as opposed to weddings, catalogs, journalism, etc) for to be hired based on the work you produce for art. In some cases, you have to be a established already as an artist, while others, even big companies, are looking do to discover new talent (probably in part to save a little $$$). You will be asked to apply the style, approach and general subject matter to their commercial or editorial job.
There are several commercial photographer agencies that nearly exclusively represent artists who gained their reputation through the gallery work they created independently: art+commerce, fred and associates, redeye represents, etc. These are very exclusive, national places, but there are also smaller local and regional agencies that take this approach. There is also a division of Getty Images stock photos and assignment photography that represents "art photographers" for commercial jobs. Stock is also a way to make supplemental income by licensing the images you already have taken - not a way to make a living though.
For editorial, publications like NY Times Magazine, the New Yorker, Newsweek regularly hire photographers who are best know for the art they show in galleries and museum shows. Smaller publications do, too.
If you do this and get a job, an editor or client will often check in with you and may hang around on the shoot. If you do it full time, you will likely have to take assignments you don't like to make money. Clients may or may not interfere, but as you get more and more respect for your work you will have more autonomy in creating the kind of images you want. All the time, in the back of your mind, you will be thinking will this work for what they need?
Doing photography for a client means collaboration, but it's still artistic expression as long as you choose to think of it that way and direct your career to the kind of work you want. It's hard work!
You can test the waters without leaving your current job...
You need to put together a portfolio that has a very consistent style/vision. Your look is going to have to be contemporary and have something unique, fresh. It's also going to have to be obvious that you know your craft and you aren't going to screw up on the shoot.
Do a little research to find which are the more hip ad agencies and photographer agencies (hipper~more likely to be looking for collaboration with an artist) in the area and drop off your portfolio (it helps if you know someone to name drop or you can get an art buyer to chat with you about what they are looking for). You could also look on craigslist for jobs or network with business owners and marketing department people to find companies whose brand meshes w/ your work. Make it easy. Do something that you enjoy and pays, and on your own, do your own thing that makes you happy. Maybe get both to pay, eventually. It all depends upon the precise field.
If I was a wedding photographer, I would have to follow the rules strictly. The client, usually the bride's mother, would know what she wants and one CAN be artistic in this field but one has to cover the bases or not get paid.
If I was a freelance nature/wildlife photographer out in the field, I would shoot whatever occurred and trust that I could sell the results to established buyers. My choice.
I WAS contracted by a city municipality to cover an event. Artistic impressions they did NOT want. They wanted the facts, ma'am, just the facts.
Horses for courses. Here are the rules I follow:
* Shoot the shot list that the art director or photo editor gives you
* Shoot those things you know from experience the art director or photo editor forgot to ask for.
* Shoot your interpretation of the assignment
* Shoot some experimental or highly artistic shots you can later use in your book or as stock. I shoot exactly like Ace does. Same things in the same order.
As a pro photographer, I'm basically a hired gun and it's a play for pay proposition. I love the job and enjoy the challenge of it.
I also do what could be called artistic or creative photography, some of which I sell as prints and much of which I just do to please myself or explore an idea.
The two areas touch, or overlap, where (as Ace does) you create your own interpretation of the assignment.
I can't say that I really understand the angst that is implied by this type of question. Being a working pro doesn't taint me as an artist and doesn't lessen what I do in that area. I don't appologise for my pro work by saying 'It's just what I am forced to do, but my real stuff is art.'
If you don't want to do what most pros do, which is use photography to pay the bills and all that implies, don't turn pro.
More to the point with your question is that you have already answered your own question. As you say 'But I look on my photography as artistic expression.' You have already reserved your photography for artistic expression. So, is your question 'Should I become a professional photographic artist?'
If it is, then go for it, but keep the job you earn a good living at. Sometimes.
The client gives directions and objectives and I try to give my intrepretation of their needs.
What they pay for is the artistic and creative interpretation or my own style. Assignments vary depending on the goal.
There are times when clients are very specific on what they want. There are other times when the client wants me to do an artistic interpretation and bring back a bunch of samples for them to choose from.
As a pro, you need to know what questions to ask and what sells. |
