Job advice needed please

Rusk

Rusk

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Russell Hill
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Hello everyone,

I have wanted to get into the photography world on a 'professional' level for some time. I was hoping you guys could give me some tips on how to get into the industry. I was going to take this process more slowly and find the best job I could before going for it but events have forced me to move a lot faster. The company I work for has informed me they might be about to go bust so my job may not be around for much longer :shake: (a matter of maybe weeks).

I love all photography but I am most interested in motorsport or event photography. Do any of you guys work for a firm or agency that is looking for anyone? I only play with manual settings on my camera at the moment with mixed results but really want to learn everything about photography.

If anyone can point me in the right direction or have tips on how to break into the photography industry I would be very very grateful indeed.

I live in Manchester but I can travel and am happy to move if I have an opportunity of a job.

Many thanks in advance
Rusk :)
 
Sorry to hear about your job situation.

In my experience of motorsport photography you might be best off opting for event photography :lol:

It's a competitive market already (though not yet saturated) and as well as professionals you'll be competing with well equipped amateurs who're happy to give their shots away to publications etc. Unless you're a staff tog or specifically commissioned you'll have to fund from your own pocket lots of travelling for no guaranteed return.

Could be worth looking at trackday photos (another competitive market). In addition to your camera gear you'd be advised to be set up for mobile printing - impulse purchases are key and you might not sell if people can't take the print away with them.

Check out racedates.co.uk for events near you. And contact your local motor clubs (think also motocross, karts, quads, trials, hillclimbs etc) to see if you can strike any deals with them. You might secure an exclusive or captive audience for a few % of your takings.
 
To be honest if you are still unsure about settings and things like that, I'd spend a bit more time practicing so you are confident in your technique.

You can make a living in motorsport, but I think there is far more too it than most people realise - it's certainly not just standing at a race track on a sunday afternoon!

If you have any specific questions please PM me, I'll be happy to help.
 
Even if you really want to make a carer in other areas, the "family portrait" market can keep you ticking over. You may find that investing £600 into a set of lights and a backdrop will soon pay for themselves and bring in money to help you fund other projects.

Just a thought....

Steve
 
Hi Rusk,
Sorry to here about your situation.

I am in no position to offer advice but I 100% agree with Jelster.

I mentioned at work that I wanted to practise portrait photography and 4 people jumped at the chance of having some family/solo portraits taken.:thumbs:

From recommendations alone I am busy most weekends now. :)
 
Jelster said:
Even if you really want to make a carer in other areas, the "family portrait" market can keep you ticking over. You may find that investing £600 into a set of lights and a backdrop will soon pay for themselves and bring in money to help you fund other projects.

Just a thought....

Steve
Click to expand...

I'd second that, the two easiest ways to get your income ticking are portraits and weddings, not saying either are easy to do well before all the pro's jump on me!

Get yourself a white back groud and some lights and start doing high key pictures of kids in funny poses people can't seem to get enough of it at the moment!

Given some of the poor wedding togs I've scene making a living at it as long as your competent you shouldn't struggle for business.
 
I concur, portraits and weddings are the way forward if you want to make a bit of money (not the same as being a professional, but it's a start). Keep working on your technique and charge appropriately for the work you produce and you should be fine.
 
yourapocalypse said:
(not the same as being a professional, but it's a start).
Click to expand...

How is it not the same as being a professional?

Dictionary said:
pro·fes·sion·al –adjective

1. following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder.
Click to expand...

If I was a full time wedding or portrait photographer I'd find that comment more than a little offensive.
 
Rusk, I'm sorry to hear that your job is at risk, that's never nice to hear for whatever reason, but worst of all going bust as you don't have that softener of redundancy pay.

I generally concur with the other posters that money can be made from portraits, weddings, events slightly more easily than motorsports. However, to actually make money from photography you need to ensure you meet the customer's expectations and provide a quality service. It only needs one disatified customer to ruin a fledgling business; a poor reputation is hard to fix. I've not seen any of your photographs so am unable to comment as to whether I would pay for them. You say in your OP that you "only play with manual settings ... with mixed results" when the results are poor do you know why they are bad and what you should have done. Most importantly have you learned from the mistake and not done it again?

Before going further at the moment I would suggest you make a realistic apraisal of your skills and ask are you really ready to make that step and start charging. Remember too, that it is not just technical skills you need you need to have but business skills as well. I would go so far to say that business skills are probably more important than technical skills to a successful Pro.

If beleive you are ready then great, go for it and you will succeed. Personally I would suggest avoiding splashing out on new kit on to start with and wait until a real need arrises, especially if you have no other source of income. Looking at your kit I think perhaps using the summer weather and the natural environment to do family portrait sessions outside perhaps in the Peaks or in the grounds of one of the many localish National Trust estates. Print using a professional print house (e.g. Loxley Colour) and remember you are selling an experience and a memory along with a quality print, you'll do well.
 
Hey everyone,

Thanks for the advice and I will take all of it into account. My other issue is this all coun't of happen with worse timing as on the 8th of May I am flying to Australia until the 26th May so that means I miss a month of job hunting or learning abit more about photography. Although when I am out there I will have my camera out every day and I will have the nifty fifty with me!!! so I can learn alot from doing hopefully.
 
Rusk said:
on the 8th of May I am flying to Australia until the 26th May
Click to expand...

My heart bleeds for you.....
I wish one of my problems was that I was flying to Australia for 2 weeks.

Joking aside, have a great time and best of luck for when you get back.
 
Have a little read of the other threads on the business of photography on here. Marketing is a huge part of the job as is making sure you are paid!

http://photo.net/learn/wedding/photography-business/

http://www.brettharknessphotography.co.uk/training_vision.php

A couple of links to places who deal with the business side of things.

More specifically events photography is a slightly different business and probably requires an investment up front in printing equipment, if the prints are not ready, your customers will leave and you possibly lose a sale.

Good luck on the job front wherever it takes you and do try to enjoy Australia with the nifty, sent it recorded yesterday so enjoy it!
 
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