Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/10/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Daniel Ridings offered: Subject: Re: [Leica] PAW 43 dlridings > How on earth did you guess about the freelancing? I have, in fact, been > looking in to upgrading or doing something about the Nikon set-up. The > final conclusion is still a blank page. There are a lot of variables and, > pleasantly, possibilities. Even Leica.<<<< Hi Daniel, Freelancing? There's no life like it! :-) It's as high an excitement level as it can possibly be to the lowest possible as you sit face to face with the bank "Loan Manager" glaring at you when you ask for a $15,000 loan! :-) You know those 3 M's I'm always talking about? The loan manager doesn't have a clue what an M is and can't imagine why you require 3 when you can only take one picture at a time. :-) After the gear one wishes to use and purchase, film, processing and travel costs amount to the biggest expenses, but with digital you can eliminate about $15,000 a year using digital. So the logic is you can easily buy 3 M8's and you laugh all the way to the bank. If it should come to pass and you decide to become an "independent photographic business man" it can be the best position in life, the clients wont come quickly unless you keep your face and name in front of them all the time. One thing for sure, never turn your nose up at new trends or you'll die hungry! Simply because art directors and photo editors go with the flow and the "young just out of art school rug rats will eat you alive with their trendy styles!" This doesn't mean you turn your back on "your way" it means you adopt the new styles and do it better than the rug rats. But always maintaining how and what you shoot having both styles of photography at the ready. Don't just burn CD's and show them to the new client editor because he or she probably looks at a great many every day or not at all when they're swamped with designing the new magazine. Today the trick is everyone constantly confronts a computer screen and your photography may get only a cursory look. That's what you have to beat to make your work seen and leave an impression so they'll call you back with paying assignments. When you meet the photo editor/art director for the first time take a CD like everyone else.... HOWEVER!!! Take a half dozen or more 11X14 for honest to goodness real photograph prints! They will be blown away holding a print in hand, they look at them longer., you are given more time than the usual 30 second visit. And you'll make a far greater impression than doing what everyone else does......... just leave a CD! Like many other things today people become tired looking at the screen. So pop down some beautiful colour or B&W prints and you'll be remembered as "get that guy who brought in those beautiful 11X14 prints! OK that's just a tip for your future life as a "freelancer!" ;-) All the best if you go for it! ted