Colorado Technical University

Freelance photography career? a few questions? ?

This is for my graduation project. I need some info. What skills are needed for this career? What type of person is most likely to be successful at this career? What type of training do you need to work in this field? Do you need any college degrees or etc? Where can i obtain this training? How easy will it be to find a job? What can you expect to receive as a salary for this job? Thanks for helping me to who ever answers. :)

Public Comments

1. Hey there. I am a freelance photographer in the Orlando area. I am by no means, wonderfully successful at it yet (as far as getting work, work work is concerned) but I have had a number of clients. So knowing that, you can take what I have to offer as my answers. What skills are needed for this career? -Some great skills to know are of course, photography. Know your way around a camera, make an informed decision on which camera to invest in. It's also good to know your way around photoshop (which I believe to be the best when it comes to photo editting software.) Also, know who your target audience is. You want to focus on weddings? Bands? Advertisement? And focus on that primarily. Not to say you can't shoot other things, but remember what your focus is. And another quick tip is to set up an online portfolio. Keep a record of your best works so you have someplace to send a potential client. They're going to want to see what sort of work that you do. Sometimes in order to do this, however, you might have to do some shooting without getting paid, just so you can build that portfolio. It doesn't hurt to have a physical one as well. Something you have with you always that you can pull out anytime you need to show a potential client. What type of person is most likely to be successful at this career? -Someone with an edge to their photography would most likely be successful, but to be completely and bluntly honest... someone with a lot of business savvy and self-motivation. What type of training do you need to work in this field? -If you feel having a college degree in this field will help, then by all means, go for it. But what I have come to realize is that the only REAL training you need is what I've mentioned above. Learn your way around your camera. Learn what f-stops,apretures, and shutter speeds are, learn what you need to do to take the best possible photo in your given circumstances. As well as learning a photo-editting software. Having a degree is not a prerequisit, however, in being a successful professional freelance photographer. Do you need any college degrees or etc? -See above. Where can i obtain this training? -I believe some community colleges offer photography courses. There are also art centers around town that offer classes on learning your camera. There are also online courses you can take where they will mail you your materials and you mail back your homework assignments. One to check out is New York Institute of Photography (NYIP.com) How easy will it be to find a job? -Unfortunately this is all up to you and your self-motivation. It's all about networking. Start small. Talk to people you know already and let them know you are starting up your career as a freelance photographer, make business cards to give out with your number, email, and a link to your online portfolio. Constantly be checking websites like CraigsList.com. You'll always find people looking for photographers. What can you expect to receive as a salary for this job? -What's great about being freelance is you are your own boss, so you can set your own pay. However, it is imparitive that you do research, check out other photographer's online portfolios, see what THEY are charging and then set up your own pricelist accordingly. You'll get as much out of your career as you put into it. I hope this helped you out a bit. I know it's long, but you did ask the questions! haha. Take care.
2. What skills are needed for this career? enthusiasm and the energy to be good every day on every project. you need to be as good at marketing your work as you are at photography. What type of person is most likely to be successful at this career? someone that will go out of the way to see something diffrent, motivated 100% What type of training do you need to work in this field? HNC, HND ect in photography will Do you need any college degrees or etc? you don't need them you just have to be a good photographer but college will give you a rounded view of photography and you will need them if you if you want to work employed as a photographer Where can I obtain this training? College How easy will it be to find a job? there is lots of jobs. you may not get a job in the field you want. freelance you make your own work http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sellingyourphotography/ What can you expect to receive as a salary for this job \\yes it is a job photography jobs start in the UK from about £11,500 + Thanks for helping me to who ever answers. :) \\\\that is OK, good questions!! \\have a look at the web site, it will help