Staff Photographer is a great way to get valuable experience (although it may not offer you lifelong job security).
Ask any aspiring photographer around, and almost all of them would want to become a professional photographer. Here’s more on how to land that dream job as a staff photographer.
Know the Industry
Several amateur photographers (initially in their career) aspire to become a staff photographer for a newspaper or magazine.
While there are several opportunities for photography, most of these positions for photographers are filled by freelancers (no steady salary and benefits).
Usually, photographers attend events, take pictures and later pitch those photographs to potential buyers (who may purchase their work and publish it).
Jobs are not steady (you could easily be fired). However, you could also easily land your next assignment by meeting prospective clients or just by making a phone call.
Its Good to Network
Having solid contacts helps in any industry, and its very much applicable to the photography industry.
Remember the adage, “It’s not what you know but who you know.”
You need to put that to use.
“Talent keeps you in the game, but who you know gets you in the game [in the first place],” Professional freelance photographer Michael Le Brecht II
Get that Interview
Want to get hired as a staff photographer? Then you should work towards getting that interview.
So go ahead and call the magazine, newspaper, studio, event management company, where you want to work and get yourself scheduled for an interview (ask the name of the hiring manager). Once you are in front of them, impress the hiring manager/s.
You Have to be Available
Want the job of your dreams? You have to make sure you’re available – no matter how inconvenient it is to you (especially if you were in a corporate job earlier and now trying to change your field).
You should pick up every call, no matter how inconvenient it may be at the time. If a publication sees you as reliable, you stand a better chance of joining the team.
And even though they may hire you as a freelancer first, you can eventually become a staff photographer with them (you will need to demonstrate your talent and ability of-course).
So be a “Johnny on the spot”.
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Keep Taking Great Pictures
This is a pre-requisite to getting employed as a staff photographer. If you take lousy photographs, you may get a few assignments initially, but even those could dry up (there’s lots of competition for such jobs.)
So work on becoming very good, because you can be sure that your competition definitely is.
There are No Permanent Jobs
As mentioned, there are no long-term, permanent staff photography jobs.
“The staff photographer who believes he will have a job in 10 years is kidding himself,” says John Harrington in his book “Best Business Practices for Photographers“.
Layoffs are quite common nowadays. So, be prepared (have the skills ready) to work as a freelancer.
Top Things a Not-Yet-Laid-Off Staffer Must Do
1. No matter how much you think your company cares about you, they only care about the bottom line. It’s not personal, it’s business.
2. Save, save, save.
3. Establish your online presence
4. Over time, build out your businesses infrastructure. Acquire a laptop, cameras/lenses, cell phone, and street legal software (Photoshop).
5. Establish your rates for freelance work. Grow a select clientele during your days off that appreciates the opportunity to work with you.
Top Things a Recently Laid-off Photographer Must Do
First thing – don’t panic; it’s not the end of the world, and there is life after-staff.
1. Get your priority list: 1) Roof over my head, 2) power, 3) phone, 4) computer, 5) internet, 6) food. Cut the cable out, and other non-critical-to-existence expenses you’re incurring.
2. Reach out to your network of colleagues about sub-contracting work from them (which they can’t do). Second-shoot a wedding, or take on an assignment that they’ve double-booked.
3. Focus on who your clients could be, and who your dream clients are, and then try to reach them.
4. Be patient. It will take all of your effort to succeed.
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