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Local newspaper photography rates?
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Hey there, just wondering whether anyone could provide me with some advice about freelance photography work with local newspapers? I’ve been doing a bit of freelance work for a local newspaper in Dublin for some months and am just trying to build up a portfolio in order to get recognised (in reality I just really enjoy sports photography and am seeing where it takes me); anyway, I find that at times Im having to hassle about getting paid on time and also issues over photo accreditation for my pictures (part of the main reason for doing it as the pay isn’t amazing)….I suppose what I’m really looking for is feedback from anyone involved in freelance work on their experiences? :?:
The going rates are not so good if you freelance “on the off chance that they may get printed” and then bill the papers. I will only do their pics at this stage if they book me in advance to cover an event with an official PO number. The daily papers pay on time at the end of the month but I always have a problem with the provincial papers. If you dont hassel it wont arrive. Many of them I just dont work for anymore.
Photo Accreditation is a difficult one …….. if you are a member of the NUJI then you automatically get it. If you are not, then officially, they should not use your work at all as you are doing a NUJI member out of work !
In practise, this rule wont work in the modern world so by not giving an accredition, then nobody is the wiser !Stupid Rule of the NUJI is that a photographer cannot become a member unless they have a certain amount of work published in an official news publication and be nominated and seconded by a full member. But ……………a photographer cannot have his or her work published in an official news publication unless they are a member of the NUJI !
Work that one out !!! At least that was the rule in the late 80’s
I often have my pics published in the local weekly paper.
A rate per photo was negotiated 7 years ago and it has never increased!
They only use what they see fit and are very punctual with payment.Not wanting to sound like a stupid or naive question but -Why is the NUJI so elitist like that?! Is there no specific organisation for photographers? As far as Im aware you also have to be earning at least half your yearly income from photography work to get in as well! :roll:
NUJI = National Union of Journalists of Ireland. This is the body also for Press Photographers. The rest of us will usually be found in the IPPA = Irish Professional Photographers Association. They are not really elitist but are there for their own members who are in the profession on a full time basis and their main aim is to protect the interests of their own members ……. does not always work that way ! …. LOL. With our body (IPPA) the rules of membership are that you should be a full-time photographer, earning your living from photography and you must carry public liability insurance and have at least a Licentiateship qualification. On a personal level, I would also advise on having Professional Indemnity Insurance as this is the one you will need if someone does not like the pics you took or if you had total photographic failure at an event. If you do weddings then this is a must. I know of so many claims in the process at present and most come down to the interpitation of “reportage” photography. Brides are looking at cool, relaxed “unposed” photographs in magazines and decide this is the style they want but what they dont know is the pics are highly trained models who are posed in this style. When their pics dont turn out the same they claim on the basis their day was ruined by the photographer and he is looking at a huge claim. For that very reason I do not offer Reportage style at all.
IPPA and NUJI are seperate and are not the same. MPA = Master Photographers Association which is the English body. Many of the Irish photographers will also be members of the MPA. I have my LMPA since 1989 and did not manage to aquire LIPPA until 1996. It was much harder to get the Irish award than the English one. Its still the same way today …….. some of my friends who have LMPA still have not managed to gain LIPPA.
Thanks for clearing a lot of that up for me GCP, some interesting points about the difference between the english and irish body and how it’s easier to get into the english one! the insurance issue is very interesting and I never really thought about the implications that could have on things like weddings; I wouldn’t have the sort of confidence to broach that type of work at the moment but its nice to be able to factor in things like that when looking at possible work of any kind. the beauty of this site is the possibility to gain an insight from others experiences in photography…
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