Applying for photographer jobs?

[Gary A.]

When I started working at the Times, it was a transition period and the paper was hiring a lot of young "smart-a$$e$" as the older reporters/photogs call us. The young, newly hired reporters/photogs started hanging together after work. At one of the first parties we all sat around and gave a brief verbal resume to the others. To the person, we all stated that we had no idea why we were hired/chosen and that we all knew reporters and photographers who were better and more qualified than ourselves.

The moral of that story is don't give up. There may or may not be a lot of logic to hiring. In another thread the OP wrote that he just got an important gig ... he wasn't the best ... but maybe he was the best available. Keep refining your resume and portfolio and keep knocking on doors.

 

[Cody'sCaptures]

Take cynicism in stride and good luck in you endeavors

 

[Vtec44]

I started my business by working 2 full time jobs, my 9-5 and my photography business, and getting literally 2 or 3 hours of sleep nightly for about 3 years. Running a successful photography business is very different than doing it as a hobby. It requires a lot of time, dedication, and maintaining motivation to things that are often not photography related. Luckily, I was working at a high paying job in a position where I could also work on my business and build it at the same time. I built enough clients, was consistently making as much money with my photography business for 3 consecutive years (accounting for 401 & health insurance), saved enough in my emergency fund, paid of pretty much all of my debt, and then I quit. I have been doing even better since I quit because now I have more time to build my business even more, but the solid business foundation was already set even before I quit.

If your intention is to build a business, apply for something that would cover your expenses but also allow you to work on your business. That may mean that you're working night shifts so that you can take on photography gigs and build clients during the day.

Whatever you decide, best of luck. It's not an easy thing but very rewarding building your own dreams instead of someone else's.

 

[DGMPhotography]

I started my business by working 2 full time jobs, my 9-5 and my photography business, and getting literally 2 or 3 hours of sleep nightly for about 3 years. Running a successful photography business is very different than doing it as a hobby. It requires a lot of time, dedication, and maintaining motivation to things that are often not photography related. Luckily, I was working at a high paying job in a position where I could also work on my business and build it at the same time. I built enough clients, was consistently making as much money with my photography business for 3 consecutive years (accounting for 401 & health insurance), saved enough in my emergency fund, paid of pretty much all of my debt, and then I quit. I have been doing even better since I quit because now I have more time to build my business even more, but the solid business foundation was already set even before I quit.

If your intention is to build a business, apply for something that would cover your expenses but also allow you to work on your business. That may mean that you're working night shifts so that you can take on photography gigs and build clients during the day.

Whatever you decide, best of luck. It's not an easy thing but very rewarding building your own dreams instead of someone else's.

Yeah, that's how I've been feeling lately.

 

[DanOstergren]

One thing I've notice in my 45 years of working is that having a connection with someone within the company your applying to really increases your chance of landing the job you want. So networking is a good starting point.

This is so important. Being successful as an artist is directly related to the people you know and what they can do to help you (and vice versa).

 

[DGMPhotography]

One thing I've notice in my 45 years of working is that having a connection with someone within the company your applying to really increases your chance of landing the job you want. So networking is a good starting point.

This is so important. Being successful as an artist is directly related to the people you know and what they can do to help you (and vice versa).

Seems to apply to most fields, honestly.

 

[birdbonkers84]

Have you tried Linkedin? Great platform for networking...how I got my 3D job I'm currently in.

good example, I met a guy in Vancouver that does 3D there (gaming) and I spoke to him and got his contact details and connected with him on Linkedin as I have a real interest in character design.

 

[intentanalyst]

Staff photographer jobs started disappearing about 15 years ago.
From 4 years ago:
'Chicago Sun-Times' Lays Off Full Photo Staff

Most of the laid off staff photographers started freelance businesses.
Most of those new businesses failed, and those photographers had to seek other employment.

Nat Geo went to only using freelancers about 6 years ago.

I am not aware of any staff photographer jobs.

I've already applied to two. There's a local fashion boutique that hires them time to time, and my college hires them.

There are a lot of jobs online. Maybe you should try applying there too.

 

[DGMPhotography]

Staff photographer jobs started disappearing about 15 years ago.
From 4 years ago:
'Chicago Sun-Times' Lays Off Full Photo Staff

Most of the laid off staff photographers started freelance businesses.
Most of those new businesses failed, and those photographers had to seek other employment.

Nat Geo went to only using freelancers about 6 years ago.

I am not aware of any staff photographer jobs.

I've already applied to two. There's a local fashion boutique that hires them time to time, and my college hires them.

There are a lot of jobs online. Maybe you should try applying there too.

Lol, I haven't applied for a job in person since 10th grade in high school.

 

[pixmedic]

Staff photographer jobs started disappearing about 15 years ago.
From 4 years ago:
'Chicago Sun-Times' Lays Off Full Photo Staff

Most of the laid off staff photographers started freelance businesses.
Most of those new businesses failed, and those photographers had to seek other employment.

Nat Geo went to only using freelancers about 6 years ago.

I am not aware of any staff photographer jobs.

I've already applied to two. There's a local fashion boutique that hires them time to time, and my college hires them.

There are a lot of jobs online. Maybe you should try applying there too.

Lol, I haven't applied for a job in person since 10th grade in high school.

maybe you should consider it.
applying in person might set you apart from all the other applicants that also just assume that online-only applications are fine.
photography is a very personal business. an extra personal touch might make the difference.

 

[DGMPhotography]

Staff photographer jobs started disappearing about 15 years ago.
From 4 years ago:
'Chicago Sun-Times' Lays Off Full Photo Staff

Most of the laid off staff photographers started freelance businesses.
Most of those new businesses failed, and those photographers had to seek other employment.

Nat Geo went to only using freelancers about 6 years ago.

I am not aware of any staff photographer jobs.

I've already applied to two. There's a local fashion boutique that hires them time to time, and my college hires them.

There are a lot of jobs online. Maybe you should try applying there too.

Lol, I haven't applied for a job in person since 10th grade in high school.

maybe you should consider it.
applying in person might set you apart from all the other applicants that also just assume that online-only applications are fine.
photography is a very personal business. an extra personal touch might make the difference.

The ones I've applied to are online only. As it seems a lot of jobs are becoming these days.

 

[Light Guru]

The ones I've applied to are online only. As it seems a lot of jobs are becoming these days.

Yes many places have the application process completely online, but nothing is stoping you from stopping my in person to drop off a printed portfolio.

 

[Juga]

The Armed Forces employ thousands of staff photographers and pay very well too.

I actually looked at that... but I don't think that's for me.

Don't know 'til you try, right?

Well a lot of the positions I looked at are combat photographers, and I have no desire to be in that sort of situation.

I am in the Coast Guard and it is very much not a combat photographer situation. Additionally, unlike many other branches if you desire to go the Public Affairs Specialist route then it is just a matter of waiting for your name to go through the list.

 

[DGMPhotography]

The Armed Forces employ thousands of staff photographers and pay very well too.

I actually looked at that... but I don't think that's for me.

Don't know 'til you try, right?

Well a lot of the positions I looked at are combat photographers, and I have no desire to be in that sort of situation.

I am in the Coast Guard and it is very much not a combat photographer situation. Additionally, unlike many other branches if you desire to go the Public Affairs Specialist route then it is just a matter of waiting for your name to go through the list.

What do you do in the Coast Guard?

 

[Gary A.]

Trump is cutting the Coast Guard budget by 14%.