Advice needed on freelancing

[captainslack]

There' s a good possibility that I'll be unemployed very soon. It's a very long story as to why and I won't bore anyone with it, but suffice to say, it's been a long time coming and will be a good thing in the long run.

However, unemployed I will more than likely be and looking for a job in today's economy isn't exactly the most thrilling of prospects. I figured while I was out of work, I might try to earn a little extra cash as a freelance photographer. Problem: I have no idea where to begin.

My camera equipment is as follows:

SLR:
Nikon N6006
Nikon FE
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Sigma 28-70mm f/4
Sigma 70-300 /f4-5.6

RF:
Canonet QL-17 GIII
Minolta A5

As you can see, not a digital anything in site. My guess is, most places looking to buy a freelancers work would want digital files, right? I figured the best thing I could do to would be to pick up a Nikon D70 to solve that dilemma. Luckily, a friend offered to buy me one if I shot her wedding. I may have to take her up on it, even though I'm not at all comfortable enough in my abilities to tackle a wedding.

Are there any good websites for books I can look into for research/background? Something to at least give me an idea of what I'd be in for?

Thanks!

 

[canonetc]

Freelancing

Freelancing

Hi Captain,

Most newspapers and magazines are digitally fed. So, unless you can find a 1-hr lab that will process and scan onto CD TRULY in one hour, or, they can process negs/prints and you can scan before 1:30pm (most newspaper deadlines are by 3pm for daily news), you'll need to go digital.

The biggest consideration is what kind of photography you'll be doing. News, wedding or special event? How about all?

I purchased a Canon 20D (8 megapixel) with a Tamron 28-105 2.8 lens, as well as a 2GB digital card (NOT a micro-drive! They fail too often) and a 512MG card as well. This supplies me with about 50 shots at 8MP shot RAW. But most news agencies are happy if you shoot JPG-mode too. They usually need a digital file that will minimally produce an 8x10 or 8x12 image at 300dpi.

Downloading/converting and uploading time at home is the nightmare; but most news agencies/bureaus have the machinery to make it quick.

I have a friend who shoots for a small local newsrag. He still shoots film because he usually has at least two days to complete an assignment. if you can get that then you could safely stay with film.

But, for folks like Associated Press, Time Magazine, Harper's, etc, they want it NOW or YESTERDAY.

You can still freelance using film by doing weddings or special events. Those usually don't require a fast turaround or deadline. I'd suggest at least buying a flatbed scanner so you can scan prints if clients ask.

So, for the mainstream market, digital seem to be the standard. But if you can find a client that does not require digital, but needs at least a CDROM and gives you plenty of time for assignments, then you can stick with film. If you can afford it, but a digital anyway. You can also get one of those "consumer" model 8MP cameras like the Canon Rebel and save a chunk of change. But that model is slightly limited, and writing time is slower than the 20D.

If I could, I'd prefer to shoot film too. But having digital does save on film costs after your initial investment in body, lens(es) and flash.

Also be advised that many newspapers pay pennies for assignments. When I shot for AP, they paid $150.00 for an assignment (and kept every image), and up to $40 for an individual "on spec" image. Many newspapers around L.A. /Orange County stingily pay $25-$75 for an assignment, meaning, you might have to do three assignments minimum per day to keep yourself alive.

Go to www.editorialphoto.com for good info and forums for successful and aspiring freelancers worldwide. Great contract forms, tips and information.

Weddings pay the most the quickest. Consider them. They can be fun if you treat them like a news assignment (and are sure to get all the classical "posed" shots many brides want an expect). Also get some business cards made and start telling your friends and family.

Good luck,

Chris
Canonetc

 

[captainslack]

Thanks for the info, Chris! Luckily, my employment situation has leveled out (in other words, they gave me the raise I was threatening to quit over), but I'll definitely keep your advice handy in case I need it in the future!

 

[canonetc]

Freelancing

Freelancing

hey congrats! In today's market, it's comfortable to keep a day job, and shoot little things on the side for extra income (this is what I do). If you want to, shoot a few gigs "on spec" for your local paper or Associated Press. AP is a great way to get your foot in the freelance news doorway and learn a lot by OJT.

Here's what I did: I searched my paper's entertainment section for weekend events, focusing on something with an "international" flair which AP could market worldwide, such as tibetan protests, X-games, or perhaps a dance festival. I went and shot an X-games skateboarding contest (after first contacting an event organizer and telling them I'm a freelancer shooting for world news; it's mostly true, and they like the attention), then at about 12noon I called AP and asked if they'd be interested (since I already had the film shot). They said yes, so I went down to the L.A. bureau, they processed the film (when they had such machines at the time), and bought one image "on spec". They also gave me pointers, critique, and recommendations. Now, of course, digital is what they want unless you have a print they can scan. They do still have a few neg scanners lying around, I believe.

If you do this, the thing to do is act as if you are already an established shooter. Call the Photo Desk Editor and say, "Hi, I'm so and so, a freelancer, and I shot such and such. I'm wondering if AP would be interested...". They'll say Yes or No.

Do this a few times, then ask the Photo Bureau Chief if you can show him a portfolio (ten-20 images max).

So, anyway. Congrats on the raise! And take a look at the EP site I mentioned before. Cheers!

Chris