Posted by James on May 19, 192002 at 04:04:33:
I am a photography student with around 3 years experience, however I have only had experience as an employee, not freelancing. I am a wedding assistant for 40 weekends a year. (Have been doing this for 12 months now).
During the last two year my boss (and mentor) has kept me focused on producing commercially valuable work, and leaving the ‘artistic’ photography behind. (Likes to get the job done properly first time and be efficient)
(I should mention the reason why I talk about my boss- In the region I am from, he is one of the most respected and experienced - So I really respect
and learn from him as much as possible. He has about 20 years experience, in many specialist areas and has also lectured at tertiary level for a while)
On my free time I also specialise in aviation photography, and I am also confident in a few other disciplines.
Often while photographing at regional airports as a hobby, I drop into small flying schools, gliding clubs, and helicopter-operating businesses. If I shoot a roll or two of Provia Or K25, I often keep the very best few from each roll, which are then scanned, mounted and sent off to publishers and organisations which I contribute to.
My boss often has a quick look at my own work in his spare time, and he says that next time I’m at such places, ask politely to get some good environmental
portraits of the staff members, and quickly grab a few shots of the facilites. Then, I am in a position where I can assemble a presentation of shots which the company can use for PR, advertising, web site etc...
(Also my boss has encouraged and taught me to be very critical of work which I produce in my own time. He likes to see 100% quality on the light box and the rest in the bin, > quality over quantity is his attitude)
Here is a theoretical example of a helicopter school with 4 helicopters.
3 shots of each chopper which they operate
2 environmental portraits of each staff member
6 shots of the facilites
plus a few candids of staff and students interacting etc.
This may come to a total of 20-40 shots which would normally require two or three rolls of film. He says that I can present the positives or prints, and charge anywhere from 3 to 5 times my costs.
Also, when I have the film, time and cash, I love getting out and about and photographing at every opportunity. Occasionally I return to a place with
prints or slides, and people show a great deal of interest in what I’ve produced. (I find that the general public is so easily pleased).
It may be a roll of provia simply cut and filed, yet the manager or member or parents or whoever starts asking about prices and using the shots for their
website or advertising etc...). At that point I reluctantly tell them that they are only for personal collections and portfolio uses.
(At that stage I should say “Yes, I can have these negs scanned tomorrow, and you may buy the CD and negs at a price of $XXX.
Therefore my topic relates to the practice of photographing first then
approaching potential clients at a later date.(Businesses and organisations
in this situation usually see a nicely presented package and think “Hmmm, for only $XXX this is a must have for our business, let’s buy the shots.”
However this usually involves being on someone’s private property (eg: sporting facilities), often with permission and explanation of what you’re doing with loads of camera gear. Therefore we have the ethical issue of whether it’s right to be on their property or facility, and then push a business deal at a later date.
My boss says the following :
# If they don’t want what you have to offer, it’s at your loss
# They will be seeing the best you have to offer - no duds - easily impressed
# Photog industry can be cut throat and those will the ‘balls’ and most intiative at the end of the day will succeed.
# I will be photographing at such places anyway- should try to make good money from it while still being ethical, maintaining high standards and not
charging unreasonably
Anyway, I would really like to here from any freelance photographers or professionals with advice, suggestions, criticism, or personal experiences.
What would you do in my situation. ?
Thanks.
James.