Photography Jobs in California
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPhotography Jobs in New York - Want to Know How to Get One?
Did you know that about 50% of all photographers are self-employed but that it is estimated to be as high as 75% of those based in New York? There are many reasons for that, with the main one being that doing business in New York is very different to anywhere else in the country. Whereas magazines based in Texas or North Carolina would usually employ in house staff photographers, New York based media regularly works on a contract basis. What does this mean for the aspiring photographer that dreams of living in a New York loft? Batten down the hatches and prepare for a long and bumpy ride!
Beating The Competition
The first thing that any photographer should know about plying their trade in New York is that competition for jobs, whether contracted freelance gigs or salaried positions, is extremely fierce and will remain so for the foreseeable future. New York is the media centre of the United States and will remain so for some time to come, which has a knock on effective of drawing creative people like tacks to a magnet. Writers, photographers, actors and artists flock there and only a handful ever make it.
This may sound extremely harsh but it is a realistic assessment for the future of photographers in New York. Salaried photographers, such as those working in portrait studios and for commercial businesses, very rarely leave their jobs because they provide a measure of stability. Whilst these positions are increasing, the sheer number of budding photographers that apply for them still means that they are extremely coveted and difficult to secure. Freelance photography is notoriously unstable and making it from one pay check to another can be difficult unless you are able to secure regularly contracted work.
The Solution
If you are determined to make it as a photographer in New York then you have to be better than the competition. It is as simple as that. Many photographers in New York, almost 50% in actual fact, have a college degree in photojournalism or a related field. Many also have experience as a photographer's assistant, which means that they have relevant experience that they can call upon in their work.
Many employers insist that freelance contractors have a college degree as well as proficiency on a very technical level. The latter includes digital photography as well as old-fashioned photography. You must also have an extensive portfolio, both online and offline, if you would like to impress potential employers. When starting out, you may like to submit it to advertising agencies, magazines, newspapers, large corporations that have in house marketing teams and similar businesses to make contacts and get noticed. You have to make your own destiny in photography because it will not make itself.
Rita Henry is a contributing editor to Get Photography Jobs, a leading job site for the Photography Industry. For more information about photography jobs in New York and photography salaries in New York visit Get Photography Jobs today!
Beating The Competition
The first thing that any photographer should know about plying their trade in New York is that competition for jobs, whether contracted freelance gigs or salaried positions, is extremely fierce and will remain so for the foreseeable future. New York is the media centre of the United States and will remain so for some time to come, which has a knock on effective of drawing creative people like tacks to a magnet. Writers, photographers, actors and artists flock there and only a handful ever make it.
This may sound extremely harsh but it is a realistic assessment for the future of photographers in New York. Salaried photographers, such as those working in portrait studios and for commercial businesses, very rarely leave their jobs because they provide a measure of stability. Whilst these positions are increasing, the sheer number of budding photographers that apply for them still means that they are extremely coveted and difficult to secure. Freelance photography is notoriously unstable and making it from one pay check to another can be difficult unless you are able to secure regularly contracted work.
The Solution
If you are determined to make it as a photographer in New York then you have to be better than the competition. It is as simple as that. Many photographers in New York, almost 50% in actual fact, have a college degree in photojournalism or a related field. Many also have experience as a photographer's assistant, which means that they have relevant experience that they can call upon in their work.
Many employers insist that freelance contractors have a college degree as well as proficiency on a very technical level. The latter includes digital photography as well as old-fashioned photography. You must also have an extensive portfolio, both online and offline, if you would like to impress potential employers. When starting out, you may like to submit it to advertising agencies, magazines, newspapers, large corporations that have in house marketing teams and similar businesses to make contacts and get noticed. You have to make your own destiny in photography because it will not make itself.
Rita Henry is a contributing editor to Get Photography Jobs, a leading job site for the Photography Industry. For more information about photography jobs in New York and photography salaries in New York visit Get Photography Jobs today!
Photography Jobs in Texas - Capturing the Beauty of the Lone Star State
Texas is one of the most beautiful states in the United States. Nobody that has visited will argue with that assessment at all, but could you capture that beauty on film given half a chance? Anyone can take photographs of the landscape but only a true photographer could capture it's essence in picture form. This is why Texas is a good location to embark on a career in photography.
Many photographers head to the obvious states of New York and California, believing that there is money only in photographs of celebrities. Whilst that may be the case for some, it may be worth pursuing photography as a career where photography is more in demand. Those looking for fame and fortune may have saturated the market in other states but choosing Texas will enable you to fulfill positions that fewer candidates are going for.
Your Options
As in any other state, if you are looking to pursue a career in photography in Texas you have several options. Magazines, newspapers, large commercial businesses, government bodies and colleges all often have in house photographers. You could also choose to become a freelance photographer. There is less risk in the former as well as a steady income that averages at around $28,000 a year. However, working for yourself can also be rewarding if you have the contacts and organizational skills to be able to succeed. Many photographers actually secure a permanent position with a newspaper or magazine before becoming freelancers.
Another pointer to bear in mind is that Texas is unique for photography in that images of the landscape are in demand. There is everything you could want in terms of nature - sea, desert, lush grasslands, major rivers, unspoilt natural habitats and various animal sanctuaries and zoos as well. If you would like to focus on nature then this is the place for you. There are plenty of opportunities with the local press, wildlife societies and research facilities often in need of a talented photographer.
The Education For Texan Photography
To achieve any measure of success as a photographer anywhere in the world, you need to know your trade, but this is especially important if you do want to focus on the natural world in Texas. You need to know what you are looking for in a picture, as do your employers. As such, you need a firm educational grounding in biological sciences, which may mean a quick course at the local college or a foundation class as part of a degree. Be prepared to share your knowledge in order to get the job you really want.
Rita Henry is a contributing editor to Get Photography Jobs, a leading job site for the Photography Industry. For more information about photography
jobs in Texas and photography salaries in Texas visit Get Photography Jobs today!
Many photographers head to the obvious states of New York and California, believing that there is money only in photographs of celebrities. Whilst that may be the case for some, it may be worth pursuing photography as a career where photography is more in demand. Those looking for fame and fortune may have saturated the market in other states but choosing Texas will enable you to fulfill positions that fewer candidates are going for.
Your Options
As in any other state, if you are looking to pursue a career in photography in Texas you have several options. Magazines, newspapers, large commercial businesses, government bodies and colleges all often have in house photographers. You could also choose to become a freelance photographer. There is less risk in the former as well as a steady income that averages at around $28,000 a year. However, working for yourself can also be rewarding if you have the contacts and organizational skills to be able to succeed. Many photographers actually secure a permanent position with a newspaper or magazine before becoming freelancers.
Another pointer to bear in mind is that Texas is unique for photography in that images of the landscape are in demand. There is everything you could want in terms of nature - sea, desert, lush grasslands, major rivers, unspoilt natural habitats and various animal sanctuaries and zoos as well. If you would like to focus on nature then this is the place for you. There are plenty of opportunities with the local press, wildlife societies and research facilities often in need of a talented photographer.
The Education For Texan Photography
To achieve any measure of success as a photographer anywhere in the world, you need to know your trade, but this is especially important if you do want to focus on the natural world in Texas. You need to know what you are looking for in a picture, as do your employers. As such, you need a firm educational grounding in biological sciences, which may mean a quick course at the local college or a foundation class as part of a degree. Be prepared to share your knowledge in order to get the job you really want.
Rita Henry is a contributing editor to Get Photography Jobs, a leading job site for the Photography Industry. For more information about photography
jobs in Texas and photography salaries in Texas visit Get Photography Jobs today!
Photography Jobs in California - Four Ways to Get Ahead
If you believe everything you read then California is just teeming with photographers looking for the one picture that will make them enough money to retire. If you look a little deeper into the reality of photography in California then you will soon realize that real life is a little different. There are not as many photographers as you think, and they are not all paparazzi! And taking one shot of a celebrity will not necessarily get you anywhere. It takes much more hard work and effort than that.
Photography Opportunities
Whilst taking photographs of celebrities may not be as fun or as fulfilling as most serious photographers would like, it is an option. However, the majority of photography jobs available in California are with large corporations and companies that have their own in house team for commercial purposes. They tell you what they want and need and you then go and photograph it.
There are some magazines and publishing houses that employ in house photographers as well but if you plan on being a freelancer then opportunities are harder to come by. You really have to stand out from the crowd and make an impression. In house photographers earn an average of $34,000, but a freelancer's annual income can be as little as a third of that amount if he or she does not market him or herself correctly.
Standing Out
There are several ways that any freelancer can stand out from the crowd, and four of them happen to be the same ways that individuals looking to work in house get their break in the field of photography:
1. Complete an educational qualification in photography - There are so many schools, community colleges, art centres and colleges that offer workshops, basic courses and advanced qualifications in California that it is easy to fit a photography course into even the most hectic of schedules. A little formal training will give you a foundation to work from. It will also indicate to employers that you are keen to forge a career in photography.
2. Showcase your work - Art centres are always looking for work from new artists to display. They will often set up exhibitions free of charge, but there are galleries that will also display your work if you pay the set up costs. This can be a wise investment. Enquire about this possibility with California galleries. It may also be very wise to set up a website because potential employers then have easy access to your portfolio.
3. Apply for an internship - An internship at a magazine, newspaper or commercial company will give you on the job experience that could make you stand out head and shoulders above the rest.
4. Make contacts - Sometimes it's not what you know but who you know, and this does apply in the photography industry. If you are well known then people are more likely to hire you, but if your name is not out there then it may well be a struggle. Send out business cards, make a few calls and market yourself to the hilt. All of your effort will pay off eventually.
Photography jobs are harder to come by in California than the majority of other states in America because there are so many potential photographers looking to make it there. The market is saturated but the work is there. Work harder than the next person and you may just get to here you want to go.
Rita Henry is a contributing editor to Get Photography Jobs, a leading job site for the Photography Industry. For more information about photography
jobs in California and photography salaries in California visit Get Photography Jobs today!
Photography Opportunities
Whilst taking photographs of celebrities may not be as fun or as fulfilling as most serious photographers would like, it is an option. However, the majority of photography jobs available in California are with large corporations and companies that have their own in house team for commercial purposes. They tell you what they want and need and you then go and photograph it.
There are some magazines and publishing houses that employ in house photographers as well but if you plan on being a freelancer then opportunities are harder to come by. You really have to stand out from the crowd and make an impression. In house photographers earn an average of $34,000, but a freelancer's annual income can be as little as a third of that amount if he or she does not market him or herself correctly.
Standing Out
There are several ways that any freelancer can stand out from the crowd, and four of them happen to be the same ways that individuals looking to work in house get their break in the field of photography:
1. Complete an educational qualification in photography - There are so many schools, community colleges, art centres and colleges that offer workshops, basic courses and advanced qualifications in California that it is easy to fit a photography course into even the most hectic of schedules. A little formal training will give you a foundation to work from. It will also indicate to employers that you are keen to forge a career in photography.
2. Showcase your work - Art centres are always looking for work from new artists to display. They will often set up exhibitions free of charge, but there are galleries that will also display your work if you pay the set up costs. This can be a wise investment. Enquire about this possibility with California galleries. It may also be very wise to set up a website because potential employers then have easy access to your portfolio.
3. Apply for an internship - An internship at a magazine, newspaper or commercial company will give you on the job experience that could make you stand out head and shoulders above the rest.
4. Make contacts - Sometimes it's not what you know but who you know, and this does apply in the photography industry. If you are well known then people are more likely to hire you, but if your name is not out there then it may well be a struggle. Send out business cards, make a few calls and market yourself to the hilt. All of your effort will pay off eventually.
Photography jobs are harder to come by in California than the majority of other states in America because there are so many potential photographers looking to make it there. The market is saturated but the work is there. Work harder than the next person and you may just get to here you want to go.
Rita Henry is a contributing editor to Get Photography Jobs, a leading job site for the Photography Industry. For more information about photography
jobs in California and photography salaries in California visit Get Photography Jobs today!
