Freelance Photography - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

01/21/2006 07:52:23 PM · #1

Last weekend my dad and I rode our bikes around downtown, taking pictures. Now, this friday at school, I see in the newspaper on the front page of one of the sections (I think the first section) a picture just like one of the ones I took. This got me thinking about freelance photography.

I am wondering how to become a freelance photographer for a local newspaper, and how exactly freelance photography works. Who would I contact? Would they deal with someone my age (15, but I will be 16 on the 31st of this month)? How do they tell you what they need?

This picture I took was not of an event, so there was no way I would know to even show it to them. So how do they handle getting a picture of something that almost anyone could take, at almost anytime? Also how do they handle shots that they need by a certain time? Would they send you to certain events?

Thanks for the help

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

01/21/2006 07:54:17 PM · #2

I would be shocked if a paper will hire anyone under 18, but you never know. If it's small paper maybe.

adyus

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/21/2006 08:12:26 PM · #3

JoshuaM, I think for normal editorial pictures, the answer lies in your signature: stock photos. In case there's an event or a piece of local news that takes longer to make it to stock, I suggest you send an email to a few local newspapers, including a small preview of the photos you took and ask them if they're interested in using them. It's the first thing that comes to mind.

Note: I personally have never tried this, there might be some better way (agency of some sort), this is just what another photographer advised me a while back. You should definitely check around some more, ask somebody who's already done this.

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/21/2006 08:16:09 PM · #4

See if there is a smaller independent paper in your area that you can maybe intern at possibly. You could always just go to an even around town, take some journalistic type shots, and shoot an e-mail or better yet some prints off to the editors of some of the papers around town.

I think that's what Muckpond did if I remember right.

DjFenzl

01/21/2006 08:27:03 PM · #5

I would see if you could speak with either the editor or the head of the photography department. If you have the shots that they don't have but like then they very well could (and would) buy the shots off of you on a shot by shot basis.

I worked at a paper as a photo editor years ago in the Bay Area with over a million subscribers and the people I worked with would have been perfectly happy to talk to you and if nothing else help get you pointed in the right direction.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Canon

01/21/2006 08:42:53 PM · #6

Thanks for the quick help.

Brent - It is a large paper. "Average daily circulation as of Dec. 28, 2003, was 334,336 daily and 420,251 Sundays." Quoted from there site. I am not sure why the information is so outdated.

Adyus - That same day in the sports section they had an isolated image of someone (I think the QB) of the carolina panthers that they credited to getty images. I thought that was pretty interesting. I doubt they would look at istock or dreamstime for pics though, and I dont have the portfolio to join the macro stock agencies. I kinda like the idea of a more regular payment with a micro stock agency anyways. (lets not turn this into a macro vs micro stock debate)

Wavelength - Do you have any ideas for the types of shots they would want to see? I would have never thought that a picture very similar to the one I took would be in the paper. It all depends on what the story is I guess. So what would they be looking for?

Megatherian - Like I asked wavelength, how would I know what shots they would want to see? Unless it is a news worthy event (this picture was nothing like that). Also, thanks for the encouragement.

james_so

Canon EOS 77D

01/21/2006 08:49:11 PM · #7

It might be worth having a look at Skiprows bio down towards the bottom "The Freelance Chronicles" and have a read..

DjFenzl

01/21/2006 08:59:08 PM · #8

Originally posted by JoshuaM:

Megatherian - Like I asked wavelength, how would I know what shots they would want to see? Unless it is a news worthy event (this picture was nothing like that). Also, thanks for the encouragement.

Your welcome :)

It has to be "news worthy" for them to be interested in it. That doesn't mean necessarily it has to be the most exciting picture in the world - just something that they would write an article about. You can suggest articles to them with the photos but more than anything you'll get the information from them. Really the place to start is to just talk to them (kinda like interviewing them). If you can build up a relationship with them you may be able to call them up and ask them if they need anything in particular. They will have their own stock photographers but you never know when they might be short handed and need some "b roll" footage.

The biggest thing is DON'T TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY. If they don't want to use your stuff then no big deal, learn what you can from it. Sometimes you'll hit, sometimes you'll miss but there is stuff to lern every time. Good luck and let us know how it goes :)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/21/2006 10:36:16 PM · #9

The article this picture was part of was about how the office buildings in one part of town are all full, and in another part of town the owners of these office buildings can't find people to rent them. The picture is taken from the top of the Pierand shows the skyline of the city. The picture is similar to this onethat was taken from the same location. The only difference, is mine (and the one published) was taken during the daytime, and obviously didn't have the fireworks in it. How would I know that they would want an image of something like this? It doesn't seem what you would call "news worthy". Here is a link to the story if you are interested. There is no picture shown however.

James, thanks for the link, I will check that out now.

deapee

Kodak V803

01/21/2006 10:38:59 PM · #10

You gotta be persistant...I had two really good (sounding) things going with two different local papers...I don't know if the editors just like to talk nicely because they aren't good at communicating or what, but I had two very interested, but then I kept getting the run around and problems with the amounts to be paid and so on, so I gave up.

contact them, contact them again, wait for response, and just keep going for it.

You definately want a nice portfolio to hand over though.

fotomann_forever

01/21/2006 10:57:59 PM · #11

Joshua,
Photojournalism is my roots.. and I started with similar questions as you are having. I am both a former news photogtapher and photography editor.

Simply put, you have to apply for a job to get it. You will more than likely be applying for a stringer position to start.

Here's the thing. You need to show to a photography or mananging editor that you are competent to do the job. From what I (emphasize I) see in your profile is that you are.

You will need to prepare a portfolio of shots of a photojournalsitic style. These are photos that by themselves tell a story or capture a moment. Every photo in that portfolio must be technically unflawed (focus, exposure.. etc.)

When you have that portfolio (and more than likely after you turn 16) make an appointmet to see the managing editor (or photography editor) of your local newspaper. Tell him/her you are interested in being a stringer for some stories.

A stringer is a freelance journalist, who is paid for each piece of published or broadcast work, rather than receiving a regular salary. But, if you show competence in your work, you will asked to do more work quickly.

This is just a quick answe to your question. Feel free to PM me if you need any advice.

Message edited by author 2006-01-21 22:58:59.

01/22/2006 12:03:46 AM · #12

Well I have been reading the links in skiprow's portfolio for the past hour, and I am just now getting to the freelance section. He has a lot of good information there, and I would like to thank him for sharing his experiences.

dpaull - It seems like the number one rule to this is to be persistant. Persistant to get your name out, persistant to talk with people, persistant to get your "connections". I keep hearing that, and I could see how that would be something I will have to make myself do. I am always worried that I would be wasting someones time.

fotomann - I figured it would be best if I waited until I was 16. This summer I will be getting a car, so I should probably work on a portfolio between now and then. Is most of the work you get time sensitive type stuff, where you would have one chance to get the shot? Or do you get a lot of stuff like the picture I mentioned in my first post (something that could be taken any time)? You say you looked at my profile, just out of curiosity, which one did you look at, the one here at DPC, or the pics at istock and dreamstime in my sig?

It is getting late now and I am getting tired, so if any of that doesn't make sense that is why. Thanks again for all the help. I'm off to read more of skiprow's threads from his profile.

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

01/22/2006 12:40:45 AM · #13

I just read all of skiprow's freelance threads. That really helps illustrate the type of things you get assigned to, and what kind of pictures get published. I am going to have to look more closely at the photos in the newspaper now.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

01/22/2006 12:48:03 AM · #14

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

This is perfect advice. I'm in this stringer position you speak of. I started out doing nothing but high school football on Friday nights. Once I showed my ability to do that, I started getting more work. I'm currently shooting anywhere between 2 and 6 assignments per week, and I'm starting to get some regular non-sports assignments as well. We run a weekly page of photos called "Scene & Heard" that features people in certain places and at certain activities that is quite fun. The page usually contains 8-10 photos and it's a good opportunity to get a lot of photos published. I really love this work and hope to do it full time someday. I have been doing it regulary for about 16 months now and my enjoyment of it has not started to diminish yet.

HERE is the portfolio I showed them when I applied for the position. I had no previous experience with sports photography...

Message edited by author 2006-01-22 00:49:05.

jdw91479

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

01/22/2006 01:03:03 AM · #15

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Setzler, I have a quick question. When you are shooting these games (mainly the ones with younger participants), do you wear some sort of press pass that the newspaper gave you, or one that the stadium/venue has provided for you? I am interested in getting into local sports photography because I spent a few summers shooting the same kind of stuff at a sports camp. I don't want to be "the weird guy" with a camera at a kids sporting event though. Your sports portfolio and blog look great.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

01/22/2006 01:20:36 AM · #16

Originally posted by jdw91479:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
This is perfect advice. I'm in this stringer position you speak of. I started out doing nothing but high school football on Friday nights. Once I showed my ability to do that, I started getting more work. I'm currently shooting anywhere between 2 and 6 assignments per week, and I'm starting to get some regular non-sports assignments as well. We run a weekly page of photos called "Scene & Heard" that features people in certain places and at certain activities that is quite fun. The page usually contains 8-10 photos and it's a good opportunity to get a lot of photos published. I really love this work and hope to do it full time someday. I have been doing it regulary for about 16 months now and my enjoyment of it has not started to diminish yet.

HERE is the portfolio I showed them when I applied for the position. I had no previous experience with sports photography...

Setzler, I have a quick question. When you are shooting these games (mainly the ones with younger participants), do you wear some sort of press pass that the newspaper gave you, or one that the stadium/venue has provided for you? I am interested in getting into local sports photography because I spent a few summers shooting the same kind of stuff at a sports camp. I don't want to be "the weird guy" with a camera at a kids sporting event though. Your sports portfolio and blog look great.

I have my press credentials issued by my newspaper and I also have a credential issued by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. I occasionally run into non-credentialed photographers but they are usually the parents of one of the players.

I'm not sure what to tell you about just showing up at a sports event. You 'can' just show up, but you may want to be careful about positioning yourself in certain places unless you are there with credentials. No one would likely ask you any questions if you are shooting from the general seating area. If you go to the baseline or sidelines to shoot, you could possibly run into some problems if you aren't recognized. I have been doing this long enough at the schools in my local conference that they know me. I have occasionally left my laniard with my credentials on my desk or dresser in the bedroom and went without them. I have been lucky enough to have the face recognition that it hasn't been a problem.

jdw91479

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

01/22/2006 01:38:19 AM · #17

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I'm not sure what to tell you about just showing up at a sports event. You 'can' just show up, but you may want to be careful about positioning yourself in certain places unless you are there with credentials. No one would likely ask you any questions if you are shooting from the general seating area. If you go to the baseline or sidelines to shoot, you could possibly run into some problems if you aren't recognized. I have been doing this long enough at the schools in my local conference that they know me. I have occasionally left my laniard with my credentials on my desk or dresser in the bedroom and went without them. I have been lucky enough to have the face recognition that it hasn't been a problem.

Thanks for the reply. I'm returning to the summer camp this summer so I should be able to get some good sports shots to start to put together some type of portfolio. The good thing about it is that I can be anywhere around any of the games to take photos (I've actually stood in the outfield during softball games). The bad thing is that the kids really don't wear uniforms and even though it is very structured it may not look like it.

01/22/2006 09:06:39 AM · #18

Looking through the paper today, I noticed one business shot credited to istock and another sports shot credited to getty. The other pictures say

Times Photo - (name of photographer)

Would these people be freelance?