Is a job starting out in photography stable?
And how much would one make coming out of college? Would it be enough to make a living from and support family, or is it better just to do it as a hobby or freelance and have a main job?
Photography - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If you already have an in, then go for it as a career. Because everyone and their grandmother is trying to make it as a professional photographer. If you don't have an in, good luck. If you decide to pursue this as a career, do yourself a favor and drill on the basics of exposure. And take at least one darkroom class. If the college you choose does not offer one, and there are fewer of them as the months pass by, then move on to one that does. Then you know you will probably end up with a photography professor, not just a graphic arts tech with experience and a camera and software.
2 :
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/pf/0910/gallery.stressful_jobs/8.html
3 :
It depends on what kind of photography job you start out in, coming out of college. Especially during these economic times the words "stability" and "photography jobs" don't blend well together--again, depending on the photo job and the field. Take editorial photographers (photojournalists) trying to get newspaper jobs, for a 1st example. Many newspapers are on life support, and constantly cutting-down their photo staffs. You have too many veteran newspaper photographers competing with those shooters coming out of colleges for an ever-dwindling supply of jobs. And this is just news editorial shooters we're talking about. You can make a decent living as a commercial photographer or even as a wedding photographer--shooting for yourself or for someone else. Of course--there's also the "dues paying" period; the "going without" period while you work your way up, or build up your clientelle. The pay can range--for the starting out photographer from the really lousy (unpaid internships; meagerly paid internships and entry level) to barely adequate and "can-get-by"; especially when you're starting out. As you move-up the ladder, as with most jobs, you get paid better. There's also swift competition for other photography jobs--even among freelancers. With the advent/advances in digital photography, anyone, everyone and their mother can buy a "pro-sumer" digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera and "try to pass themselves off" as a professional photographer. If that isn't bad enough--those who actually are "pretty good" with their cameras oftentimes "under-bid" in terms of their pricing (charge way low for what their services are worth) which in term can depress photo prices for everyone around--because their photos are pretty good, and they start getting consumers used to the perception of "4-star restaurant service" for "iHop prices (not that there's anything wrong with iHop). The sad truth is that it boils down to several factors (if not "all of the above"). You have to have the technical ability and an outstanding portfolio to start. You also have to have a "thick skin" and determination; You have to know how to network and self-market; and--if you have a family to support--you not only need their mutual support, but oftentimes a backup (main) job as well. And many professional (freelance) photographers I know have had to swallow their shooter's pride and take "real jobs" to supplement their photo incomes--especially during these lousy economic times. I'm not trying to scare you from pursuing your goal--if you want to pursue a photo job right out of college. Just know what you're getting yourself into (what kind of job market you'll be entering) and do a cost-benefit analysis based on your needs and your situation. If you don't have a family to support--then you have a little more leeway/wiggle-room to maneuver; especially during the dues-dues paying period. I hope this helps, and good luck
Read more discussions:
