A few questions for freelancers...

Hi there,

I'm currently studying photography and journalism at university and for one of my modules I have to do a 'job study' which involves doing research into a chosen career path. I'm doing freelance photography, so I was wondering if any freelancers here could answer a few of the following questions?

Don't worry about answering them all - the ones in bold are the crucial questions:

1) How did you get into freelancing? What 'entry requirements' are there?

2) How many hours do you roughly work a week?

3) What's a typical day like?

4) How much job security do you have?

5) Are there any perks or bonuses?

6) How much job satisfaction do you get?

7) How much 'people skills' are required? Formal or informal relationship with colleagues/clients?

8) Are opportunities in this field increasing or decreasing? How competetive do you find it?

9) Are you satisfied with the amount you get paid in relation to amount of work you put in (& job satisfaction)?

10) Finally, any further advice for aspiring freelancers?

Any help you can give would be very much appreciated!!

Many thanks,
Jason

Tags: freelance, help, photography, professional, questions

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Permalink Reply by SRT30D on March 9, 2011 at 4:55pm

#1) Worked for a news source quite a few years, got sidetracked by chance, went freelance because it's (news shooter/journalism) the only job I've ever had that I absolutely LOVED. I started photography in the military, got a degree in journalism and photography, just kept plugging away. (Now I'm retired and just playing at it and having fun.)

#2) Don't plan on a homelife if you get into shooting news freelance. (Or any other kind of journalistic shooting.)

#3) Not having 'typical' days is an excellent reason to get into journalism.

#4) Job security is a thing of the past for all but military and LEO, I think. But journalists will always have a job in one shape or other- it's the ever changing face of news and how it's delivered now and in the future.

#5) Perks and bonuses? Umm... got your passport? Count the stamps on the pages. For me, a lot of the perks/rewards aspect comes from seeing my shots in news- that darned old ego thing, don'tcha know? ;)

#6) Sometimes there are days when absolutely nothing you do will satisfy you- but you've got to produce and learn when 'good enough' really is 'good enough'.

#7) Regardless the profession you get into, 'people skills' are one of the most primary functions you'll have. (That is, unless your job is being a hermit on some desert island.) In any kind of journalism, you'd better know how to talk with people, not at them, and be a damn good listener.

#8) Like wedding photographers today, every Uncle Bob has a camera and computer and now with cell phones taking almost as good a picture as the first couple gens of Digi cams, everyone in the world is now a 'photo journalist' and able to get their shots published on line in some fashion- not al make it to sites with serious readership, but they do get viewed.

#9) One does not get into Freelancing or Journalistic photography with the intention of getting rich. Some do make it big- some VERY big- but the average is far below what most people think it is. There's a lot of 'glamour' in being a shooter, most often not a lot of money. Also, income is related to your salesmanship, primarily, and your ability to work long hours alone shooting and editing and selling- all while being on the road trying to find 'the story'.

#10) Find another line of work if you're looking for lots of money in the fewest possible hours worked. (Sarcasm meter running HIGH)

EGADS! that should be enough for now.

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Permalink Reply by marcus.scheer on March 9, 2011 at 5:45pm

Wow. Definitely enjoyed your insight! (I'm actually graduating college with a journalism degree here in May and I'm throwing around all of the different paths that I am thinking about pursuing...)

It's always fun to hear what others say about the profession!