Freelance Photography
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Photography leads the charge when it comes to the number of professionals in the field who work as freelancers. Over half of all photographers freelance and the demand for qualified and experienced professionals is expected to grow in the future.
One of the draw cards of photography as a creative career path is that it has few physical boundaries and it offers enormous variety. A successful freelance career is an achievable reality for talented photographers with an excellent portfolio, good business sense and the ability to establish good contacts and build a solid client base. While some photographers choose to work in-house, freelancing allows for greater freedom of expression, control over where, when and how you work and offers lifestyle flexibility. Most photographers don't work nine-to-five - irregular shooting schedules are the industry standard - and many work part time or on a project-basis. While photography is a competitive field, numerous opportunities exist for skilled photographers who have the technical proficiency and creative talent to produce professional quality photographs - as well as the ability to tap financially viable markets.
So what does it take to stake a claim in the field of professional photography? As well as talent, on-the-job training, relevant work experience or a specialized skill or knowledge like a architecture or a background in computer science can also be an advantage. Job-related technology is growing rapidly and you will probably be expected to have a good working knowledge of computer editing software as well as photographic techniques. As a freelancer, you will must also be capable of running a business including: bidding for work, preparing contracts, release permission, licensing issues, copyright, work/project pricing and general administration.
As for formal qualifications, a university degree in photography (or even journalism) or completion of a recognized course from a community college, vocational, trade or technical school are valuable assets. Extensive work experience is also gives you some leverage. The ability to develop prints in a darkroom or to operate computer software for digitally processing is also to your advantage.
There are numerous opportunities and markets for freelance photographers including:
- portrait work
- advertising agencies
- the Internet
- electronic journals
- newspapers
- magazines
- stock photo agencies
- commercial/industrial photography
That should give you some ideas, but there are many more possibilities. And with increasing demand for photographers and advances in technology, these opportunities are expanding. So if you want to enjoy the rewards available to talented freelance professionals, start planning your move today.
Testimonials
"I took a chance one day when I was flush and sent a few bucks to gain access to the Go Freelance Professional Edition. Since then, I've edited a sales letter, a follow-up letter, an 11-page Web site, and a brochure. I'm 'on call' to do pinch-hit proofreading for a medical newsletter editor in Florida ..and I've landed a gig editing a new Canadian magazine coming out this fall. All this from taking a chance on Go Freelance."
Karyn Martin
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