Getting a job in photography

Rachrayyyy

Hi I'm a 21 year old from Dublin, I've always been interested in photography but been too self-conscious to pursue it or show anyone my photos. I'm trying to get more confident and explore what kind of photography i'm best at. I'm doing an online course, but i need to get a job and the thought of another menial retail job is so depressing. I want to do something photography related but i don't know where to start. i feel so lost. I'd really appreciate any advice anyone has.
Thanks, Rachel

pete4130

You can combine a retail job with photography and look for work in a camera shop/department in an electronics store. While it won't be great money you will learn a bit more of the technical side of things, pick things up, maybe get a discount on stuff.

The other end is to actively seek out work. See what photographers are based near you, make contact with them, explain you want to get involved, assist and with some luck you might get taken up on the offer. You may not get paid at first so one option is to assist wedding photographers at weekends, learn as much as you can, gain confidence and go from there.

There isn't really a linear career path with photography.

failinis

Shadowing some professionals in different fields is a good idea to see what is involved for each area, plus a job in a camera/printing shop is a good idea.
I am angling to get into my local one at Uni just for some experience/cash but I am not a photographer
Another thing, if you plan on using some photoshop/lightroom thats mostly done through trial and error with tutorials but getting into recolouring war photographs can give you another skill - some camera shops offer old broken/discoloured photos to be "good as new" to customers.
Good luck.

magicbastarder

Rachrayyyy wrote: »

too self-conscious to ... show anyone my photos. I'm trying to get more confident and explore what kind of photography i'm best at.

you need feedback; if you are nervous about this, why not start posting some here? you'll generally get honest (and confusingly mixed!) feedback.

Sabre Man

Could stock photography be an option?

DaireQuinlan

Sabre Man wrote: »

Could stock photography be an option?

Not if you want to make anything other than chump change nowadays I'd say.

ScumLord

Photography is a saturated market. There's not only to many high trained professionals but about 20 amateurs for every one of those professionals.

It's easy for just about anybody to produces acceptable images. 20 years ago photographers at least had expensive equipment to keep quality photography out of reach of most people, but now even a phone can produce images that are decent enough to be put into use on websites and print media.

There are two ways I can think of to make money off photography. Be popular, well known so you're the first people think of. This doesn't mean being international famous, but be well known to a particular industry or genre. Specialise, be an expert in a particular field so people have no choice but to come to you.

The second is probably more achievable than the first, but it's also the most expensive long winded way of getting work.

It's going to be very hard to live off photography, it may take years to build up a reputation. It's also one of those professions that age and experience are important.

Rachrayyyy

thanks for the advice! I think looking for a job in a camera or print shop would be the best idea for me until i get more experience and refine my skill and style. I said before that i didn't want another retail job just because i had worked in a supermarket and it was completely mind numbing.
i'm also looking into doing a part time beginner course in photograhy. have most of you here been to college for photography or just learned by yourselves along the way?

Whammy!

Like others have said, it can be very difficult to live off photography.
Photography jobs are typically freelance based. You have to work very hard to just get the clients. Building up a good name for yourself takes even more time and effort.
I'm in the portrait/wedding department and it's taken me years to be at a steady point with photography work. I actually feel quite lucky now that I can do this as a profession. But I still need to work hard to get clients and to keep the work coming in.

I have learned everything myself. But I can understand that doing a college course can be good for some people if they are learning things they couldn't learn elsewhere. But at the end of the day potential clients don't care about your photography qualification. Word of mouth, price and portfolio (in that order too) are the most important factors in getting more work.

CabanSail

Keep the dream but know it's going to be tough.

Do lots of photography and learn how to achieve the images you have in your mind.

Get a useful qualification which will help you set up, run and promote a small business. All those who I have met that make money from photography tell me they spend most of their time doing business stuff. The better you can do that the more efficient it will be.


I was in a Cafe yesterday. They had photographs on the walls promoting themselves that were obviously taken by a professional photographer. The colour images were fine but their mono's were utter crap. 95% certain they had just used the desaturation slider as the conversion. They were dull and flat. Nobody with me noticed and neither must have the clients. Whoever did it got paid and the customers were happy. The threshold for quality can be quite low if you have the skills to market a product.

flyingsnail

Pixifoto are looking for studio sssistant in Swords, and they seem to place retail experience over photographic experience.

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1545179

jenny smith

Rachrayyyy wrote: »

Hi I'm a 21 year old from Dublin, I've always been interested in photography but been too self-conscious to pursue it or show anyone my photos. I'm trying to get more confident and explore what kind of photography i'm best at. I'm doing an online course, but i need to get a job and the thought of another menial retail job is so depressing. I want to do something photography related but i don't know where to start. i feel so lost. I'd really appreciate any advice anyone has.
Thanks, Rachel

Some free lessons here http://www.photographycourses.biz/videos might help your confidence. No involvement with site except a friend who like photography says it is good.

jenny smith

CabanSail wrote: »

Keep the dream but know it's going to be tough.

Do lots of photography and learn how to achieve the images you have in your mind.

Get a useful qualification which will help you set up, run and promote a small business. All those who I have met that make money from photography tell me they spend most of their time doing business stuff. The better you can do that the more efficient it will be.


I was in a Cafe yesterday. They had photographs on the walls promoting themselves that were obviously taken by a professional photographer. The colour images were fine but their mono's were utter crap. 95% certain they had just used the desaturation slider as the conversion. They were dull and flat. Nobody with me noticed and neither must have the clients. Whoever did it got paid and the customers were happy. The threshold for quality can be quite low if you have the skills to market a product.

Maybe he meant them to be like that. I have friend who is an amatuer photographer and like to look at his and other shots. I looked a a camera club exhibition and was very impressed. Then i looked at and exhibition by someone whose name i cannot remember but who had been featured on TV3 morning show. I found her photos very dead and sort of blurry. But maybe that was her style. a phrase i have heard is "the right exposure is the one the photographer wants"

denismc

You should get your photos onto an online platform like flickr and see how people like them.
There knacks to getting more views on these websites, there are some average photographers who are great at promoting their work, i.e the best pictures don't always get the most views.
So like someone else said, learning to promote your work is just as important and taking quality photos.
Good luck

wyf437gn6btzue

Best thing you can do is keep shooting, every opportunity you can get shoot some pictures. Try post online too, I understand at this stage your not very confident in showing people your photos but getting them out there and getting peoples feedback will build your confidence and help you grow as a photographer. In my experience networking with local photographers will help also, most will be happy to guide you and give you advice.