Where to Start
I was quite ill a few weeks ago and being the kind of person that doesn’t sit still with any grace I had my reluctant partner carry my laptop and printer upstairs to my sick bed.
One of the areas I decided to focus some attention on was how to go about setting up as a freelance photographer.
Joining an agency that can help with marketing your photographs, information about freelance jobs available and advice and information on different aspects of photography. The BFP is one such agency, The Bureau of Freelance Photographers, Freelance UK is another.
Sources of income
Magazines
Magazines have traditionally been the largest source of work for freelancers and with reader expenditure increasing by 60% over the last 10 years it is still an important source of work.
Since 1992
- circulation has increased by 113m copies or 9.4%
- consumers spend £605m more each year on magazines
- The number of consumer magazines has increased by 35% up since 1992
- The magazine market is currently driven by a constant churn of new magazines
The Freelance Photographers Handbook report that there were more than 8000 titles being published on a regular basis just in
Britain, by the time the publication was written in 2004.
Newspapers
Many national and local newspapers will use freelance photographers. At most of the major events there will be a large number of agency personnel as well as freelancers and the freelancers have just as much chance of getting that all important shot as the majors.
- Almost half of all regional press titles in ABC membership (44%) has increased its sales July-December 2003
- The weeklies – 80% of all regional newspaper titles in ABC – showed the stongest performance, with 51% showing circulation gains
Books
Many books require heavy photographic illustration. The main drawback is that its difficult for an individual to predict what is needed and when. Book publishers will rely heavily on photographic libraries but there is still scope for an individual to provide image specific material or to work to order.
Cards, Calendars and Posters
There is a growing market for companies producing photographic products, requiring links with established photographers. The postcard market, requires thousands maybe even millions of sights and scenes to send home by holiday makers so the demand for up to date pictures is ongoing.
The Web
There are many online stock image libraries that fuel the need for good quality images for both web and print design. With the web growing at an astounding rate and individual companies requiring imagery for their own web sites and traditional marketing materials, demand is always high.
Indivduals
There is always a demand for freelance photographers to take photos of individuals in a local studio or for weddings and on location portrait commissions.
Research
- if being a freelancer is the way forward, financial viability is something to consider
- know outgoings
- estimate Demand for specific work
- work out how to put a figure on charges to the client
- join a trade association for useful advice
- talk to other freelancers for their perspectives
- work out a personal competitive advantage based on price, quality, delivery, customer service, terms of business, other features or services.
- if initial findings are encouraging a business plan is next in order to set and track objectives and to raise finance
- home/work balance needs to be assessed and goals set
- look at personality characteristics, do they match the freelancer’s role
- what level of investment is required both in terms of time and finance
- what support system is available for ideas discussion
Whats in it for the client?
Companies like to use freelancers for a number of reasons:-
- they are usually more flexible over hours etc than permanent staf
- they are easier to hire and fire – and are not a long term commitment
- they provide skills the in-house team may not have
- they complete one off or small, regular tasks that do not require a full time employee
Additionally, companies like freelancers because they save them money. Employees are eligible for sick pay, holiday pay, redundancy pay and employers national insurance, freelancers are not.
Personal Benefits
- being your own boss
- potentially more earning potential – freelancers are usually paid more
- freedom – to work when it suits, take holidays, what jobs to take
- variety – there is the potential to develop very varied experience and an impressive CV
- less tax – freelancers can potentially reduce the amount of tax they pay according to professional advice
Pitfalls
- less security, freelancers have less job protection
- Uncertainty, usually there is no guarantees of another contract
- Hassle, form filling, rules to obey, accounts to keep
- On your own, loneliness, no holiday or sick pay
What makes a successful freelancer?
- knowing what the goals are
- being comfortable in a leadership role, clients sometime need guidance
- being decisive, to achieve success, chasing payments, form filling
- self motivation,
- knowing the financial implications of going it alone
- adaptability to new situations
- a willingness to help others without criticising their mistakes
- intuitive to know when someone requires advice and when they don’t
- being aware of all potential business at clients sites
- not restricting business potential to Lets Agencies
- will keep potential clients up to date with contact information
- delivering a quality product on time and on budget with great communication skills
- keep it fresh, stay ahead of the crowd, regularly review the market
- liability insurance
- create a winning portfolio
