Turning photography into a career

first complete your user profile and post some stores. Then we can help.

Hi you all!
As Lee Simpson, I a "newbie" here, on the Picture-Land. I used to be a writing Journalist (for more than 14 years...) back there, in Europe, but I moved to Canada and for the last six years I was in a sort of "Journalistic deep-sleep" - meaning I didn't write anything (except e-mail messages and some tiny posts on some forums)...
Now I've discovered DEMOTIX and that virus I cannot get rid of - called Journalism - got me back! And I have started to "breath" again... It's so good, man!!!
Now, back to the point... Hanging on your words, Chris - "we can help" - that would be nice to get some TIPS and TRICKS and SHORTCUTS from you, guys, and to make a living from Photojournalism.
Because - honestly! - I am so sick of mopping floors here, in Montreal Area...! (because this is what I do now and for the last six years since I'm here, even I do have a B.S. in "Civil Engineering" and a Master Degree in "Journalism, Media & Communications"...)

Thanks!

Mulea and Lee,

Very few of us make a living at photo journalism. Demotix is a citizen journalist site. The problem is that the budgets have shrunk and most local newspapers don't pay for pictures any more. This is because "everyone" is a photographer. In the UK 99% of the population has a phone with a camera that will take "reasonable" pictures. Then there are sites like Demotix (and in may area at least three other news picture libraries) that help citizen journalists.

The other problem is there are already a lot of professional experienced people now going freelance as their former employers down size (my local newspaper had 4 togs now it has 1) so there is a LOT of competition.

Put it another way... everyone gambles on horse races and football matches. How many make a reasonable living from gambling?

How to succeed? The answer is simple. With horses simply pick the winner. For photo journalism be at the right place at the right time (with a camera).

So ALWAYS carry a camera. Always be alert. Be inquisitive. It is fun and you can even earn some money from it but don't expect to make a living from it.

The other Big point is a picture needs a story. a caption and key words. What sells it good keywords and a good caption.

Thank you, Chris, for the indications that you gave us!
Really helpfully!
On the other hand - actually - how a Photojournalist is surviving for real? Does he has a second-job? Does he/she writes poems or he/she paints?
Because as far as I can see through your words is a wild competition out there... And - honestly - I really don't think that somebody could live by taking and selling pictures ONLY if will go at war or it will be killed...! Definitely the war-zones pictures are the highest rated for newspapers/websites/etc.; but same sure our world isn't a total war.
There must be somewhere nice and delicate things that can be pictured and sold out...
Any leads in this direction, please?

Thank you!

PS: Maybe it will be a better help if you or any other professional here would be kind to disclose for us how to get assignments.

Hi

I can only say that if You really want , and if You work hard You can do everything.

Photojurnalism is my only job here in Poland , so if You live in UK , USA, Canada, Middle East , Africa or anywhere in the world You can do it too. Poland is not quite normal country, but we don't have war here (yet ) Im not war photographer, I'm not gona die for my counrty , I'm just making pictures of my daily life here.

In Canada or UK prices for the pictures ar much much bigger than in Poland so You have simplest way.

Just carry Yours camera always with You and don't be afraid to get so close as You can when something happens - demostration, accident, fire, terrorist attack, death, happiness,.celebritis etc.

If they kick You out by the doors, get inside by the window :

Robert Capa once said, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”

My favorite lens is 16 mm

Best

Michal

@ Michal: thank you, Michal, for your suggestions! I really do understand you, man...! I really do!
Because I used to be Journalist for more than 14 years in... ROMANIA...
I know quite all right how the things go...

Nice talking to you, pal!
CHEERS

Some one asked how do you get assignments... you don't! You have to be where the news is.

You may get an assignment to cover a story that is know about in advance but most news is not like that. However most organisations that want pictures already have a LONG list of staff, former staff who now freelancer and their list of usual freelancers.

How do you get on these lists? It is easy... you show you are worth it.
You get good pictures that others don't get. When they see you can do it you get on the list (along with everyone else) and *MAY* get a call. Even if you do it may be to tell you that "something" is happening. No assignment as such. If any of the pictures are good they will use them and pay you 30 days after the end of the month they were published in.

Getting a paid assignment, where you get a set amount of money to go and take pictures. is less and less likely these days (unless you are already an established freelancer and there are a LOT of those about)

My advice is:

1. Get a diary, and enter into it all the important dates which you think could be photo-opportunities - world days like Eid, UN days, and all important religious dates and celebrations. Also annivesaries of births and deaths of important people as they could incidents or demos to mark them.

2. Go and photograph these events covering the big view and the very close views - faces, emotions and colours.

3. Scour the local newspapers for stories/upcoming events which could be important globally or nationally - put them in your diary and go and cover them.

4. Keep ckecking Facebook groups for upcoming events like demos, strikes, marches, and political meetings. Cover them.

I've done this and had some success through news agency sites.

Every one who is interested in creativity must select the photography as a career. Because there are various kind of aspects of the photography as a career. wild photography, fashion photography, natural photography, photography for news and many more. but to adopt it you have to consult to a good career coach for better future.

I know lots of creative people (painters, writers poets etc) who don't want to do photography. As a career or a hobby. Also the professional photography market is flooded with professionals and even more semi pro-pros. It is getting harder and harder to get a paid job as a photographer. My local newspaper has gone from 4 photographers to none... they use freelance on a half day rate for events and for breaking news they will take all the pictures you can send them for free!!! This is becoming the norm with local newspapers. Certainly in the UK