Freelance Photography Opportunitiesby guest author Forrest McDonaldThere are two different types of people with freelance photography opportunities for you: people who want to hire you to take pictures and people who want to use pictures you have already taken.
We'll look at each of these to see how you can get started. Generally, people who want to hire you to take pictures have an event or occasion they want to record: weddings, graduations, confirmations, dinners, etc. This partial list reveals several keys in seeking out these freelance photography opportunities. The first is location. Many of these events take place at a fixed location: a church, a hall for hire, a school, etc. You have connections to many of these places already, so why not ask these folks if they have need of a photographer? The conversation can be short and sweet: “Pardon me Reverend Johnson, but I wonder if you have a regular photographer you use at your events. You don't? Then could we set up a time to talk for a few minutes? I'd be delighted to find an arrangement that works for both of us.” The second is event. You'll notice that many of these events types occur regularly. You can contact folks who plan these events and position yourself as a resource for them. Wedding professionals LOVE to have folks they can refer; it makes the planners appear more valuable. Event coordinators want to know that their entire event will receive a consistently high level of attention. The third is organization. Rotary Club, Toastmasters, Kiwanis, church choirs, company softball teams, etc. all participate in a variety of activities. Some of the members and their families will want photos commemorating the event. Speak to the president or social organizer of the group and offer your services. Not only is there likely a good number of events, but the word-of-mouth referral potential here is high. Sometimes people will want to buy the rights to a photograph you have already taken. The general term for this is "stock photography". The good news: all you have to do is take excellent pictures of things you already enjoy: beach scenes, landscapes, crowds, architecture, etc. The bad news: most stock photographs are a minimum of 13 mega pixels; this requires a fairly high-end camera. The best way to build your portfolio of potential stock photographs is to take quality pictures. Keep your eyes open for the types of images you might see on postcards, in new picture frames, in catalogs and brochures, etc.; these are examples of one stock photograph market.
Secret Freelance Photography Tip #1When you approach folks about potential freelance photography opportunities, having a sample of your work is key. A lot of these meetings will be spur of the moment, so it's unlikely that you will have your portfolio with you. However, you DO always have something that can help you seal the deal: your cellphone.Most cellphones have the ability to store and display pictures and can have files moved to them; that is the key in making your portfolio. Here are my tips for your phone portfolio:
Now, when you approach someone and ask if they have any freelance photography opportunities, you can show them your capabilities and preparation. The best part of this? Other than the time, which is no more than 5-10 minutes per photograph, this is a free process. Remember, there are a LOT of different freelance photography opportunities out there. You just need to take good pictures, keep a small sample of your work handy, be willing to approach folks who could benefit from your services, and ask for the opportunity.
Forrest McDonald is a freelance writer, photographer, and game designer living the Los Angeles area. His writing covers topics ranging from freelance work to personal growth to game design and appears on various websites. He can be reached via forrest.mcdonald@gmail.com Earn Money Taking Local Photos for National Companies This is a downloadable PDF manual that will show you how to become a field rep for national companies who need photographs of their assets (cars, homes, boats, businesses, etc.)in your area. This is independant contractor work that can provide you with a nice supplemental income. The manual is very comprehensive and includes the contact information for at least 100 companies that use field reps. If you buy the manual, you will also get "Make Money with Your Camera" which outlines 10 additional, realistic ways to earn income as a freelance photographer. I think this is a good value--not for a rank amateur--but for someone with good quality digital camera and good computer skills who wants to turn an expensive hobby into a profitable business. In the interest of full disclosure, I will earn a commission if you purchase the manual through this link. You have nothing to lose. If you don't agree that the manual is a good value, you can get your money refunded.
The best advice someone who wants to do freelance photography work can get will come from someone who's already made a successful career of it. That's why I interviewed longtime freelance photographer (and excellent friend of mine) John Saade: to see what insights he could share.
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