- This topic is empty.
Redundancy imminent, what are the options?
-
Thorsten
The technical business aspects are rally easy to sort out, just find yourself a good book keeper/accountant. The harder part is the commercial prowess, being able to strike a deal and find something that sells you.
As far as marketing, I have never really done much as most of the business is generated by word of mouth. Most people have a list of who they will use for a particular job,
for example if i need some 3D graphics – i have a list of 4 or 5 guys i would use and would ring them in order
So if you want to get commercial work you need to get onto peoples lists- and no ad in the golden pages or stuff is gonna get you that.
Its about drinking in the right bars and mingling with the right people etc.
Sorry to hear the News, mate. What kind of work would you be doing if you chose not to go the photography route?
I only ask as I’m a consultant for a a large recruitment & executive search firm, and may be able to point you in the direction of work. If I can help, let me know.
Tim
Thorston,
sorry to hear your news and worse still ….. no redundancy package……thats bad for sure. You certainly need have no worries about your ability as a Photographer though. You have no problm there. The business side can be daunting. Get to know other professional photographers as they will be the ones who can help – they will send you referals if they get to like you and dont let them feel you are a threat to them ……… so don’t go telling them “exactly what you think of them” …… lie a little and be stupid at times as if you dont know what your doing ………. they will go out of their way to get you up and running ! ! (LOL ….. but its true !) Business today is about networking so if you know 1000 people then double that, then double that again and dont stop there. Be seen in the right places and get to know the people who will have “budgets to spend”. If you live in a rural (ish) community dont flash money about ….. even if you can its not acceptable to be seen to be better off than your neighbour as they tend to think “its my money he’s having a good time on so he must have screwed me on that last job” ! Above all ……. be “street wise”, be nice, be professional but without an attitude, be accomodating when required, help others without making them feel inadiquate, dont talk down to people ……. but be firm and gentle at the same time. Try to get a look at local business debtors lists ……… the same names appear on all the local lists.This business is one where your customers can also be your best sales people. It is part photography but much has to do with ones ability to get on with people, organise them and “force” them to do what you want them to do and make them feel it was their idea anyway.
Really as I read in another thread and cant agree more. “If you will to suceed then you will suceed” …… or something to that effect ………… in fact I think it may well be your own advice !
Anyway …….. not meaning to preach ……… if theres anything we can do, your most welcome.
Thorsten wrote:
Gerard – no redundancy package! :cry:
‘Jebus’ is all I can say to that.
Awful news Thorsten! My way of looking at it though would be that at the worst..you may take a lower paid job in the short term if money has to keep rolling in..which if you have a family and kids it will have to….and use your photography skills to supplement it. In the short term you will survive…I’ve been there only a few years ago..and we survived and prospered..and if you have that dream to make photography your full time career then you know what you are aiming for. I know one or two guys who do very well subsidising their income with photography work which they get totally by word of mouth from satisfied clients, and I doubt either of them are as skillful as you…Not ideal by any means..but a useful stopgap at the least until hopefully you move full time or get a better job.
Hope it all works out for you.
Robbie
Thorsten,
I spoke to a professional photographer once who told me that unless you have all the contacts its very difficult to survive as one initially. My advice to you would be that if you are planning to do this at least get a part-time job to supplement in the meantime until you are established. To be honest you are a better photographer (in both the artistic and technical sense) than a lot out there in the “professional” field. I think it is a cut-throat world out there so be careful.
Whatever you choose may I wish you the best of luck my friend,
Carlos.
Once again, thanks for all the replies. There is definitely some food for thought there and I will be looking at all my options in depth over the coming days and weeks. There are some good points here which I qould probably have overlooked myself, so I appreciate the feedback.
Hi Thorsten
What a bummer of a start to 2007,on the upside it could be the start to a promising career ahead in photography for yourself. I was only in your position not a year ago and i have not looked back since. My main motivation was to make a dent in my local area as a childrens photographer before the major UK chains like Venture and Impact muscle in and dominate the market share,funny thing is that its not only kids i now shoot but all across the board from commercial,property,event,fashion,weddings etc. All these areas were and some still are alien to me but with a hunger to learn and sheer determination to drive ahead you will get there too. Most photographers are too quick to judge each other and their abilities in what constitutes good/bad photography-point is that its the customer whom judges you and its from that how reputations are achieved throughout your intended catchment area.Good luck with whatever route you go! :wink: We will be all rooting for ya!
BenThorsten, I’m really sorry to hear about this. But just remember that at every junction there is more than one way to go. I’m sure you’ve already done this but a SWOT analysis of your current situation would help. You know what your Strengths are, particularly on the technical side, one of your Weaknesses is the lack of relevant contacts, one of the Opportunities is to be able to earn bread while doing something you love and one of the Threats is you may not earn enough bread in the near future.
For my 2 cents worth I would say that there is a distinct lack of technical ability in the pro photo industry in this country, particularly on the digital image delivery side. The advertising companies always need images of the highest technical (and creative) quality. Thats a Strength and an Opportunity in one. I’ve no doubt you could survive and thrive in that type business.
The chances are that in the short term the PAYE route is the way to go, but why not start the photography at the same time, but in a small, manageable way until you find your feet. You’ve got to crawl before you can walk.
As they say on Oprah “You go, Girl”
Dave
Thorsten, you will go pro, and when you do your life will never be the same. I am not a pro shooter but have covered on average of 20 weddings per annum since 1994. Shooting medium format all the way I was slow to embrace digital .Last year was my first year fully digital and have invested heavily on new gear.My work is as good as many so called pros IMO.You spend a lot of time on photo ireland and seem very knowledgable on matters digital. I get an expert in two/ three times a year to fine tune my skills on Cs ,printer etc. All pros want good actions ,droplets etc. Could you perhaps do some of this type of work as well as photography initially. It took me a few years to get my name out there so dont expect things to happen over night. Are you a likeable guy, do you like dealing with people? Shootings weddings aaaaare different to one on one model work [no pun intended].I have a little shop with two smashing display windows which i have neglected but by summer i plan to give the place a pro feel and sell landscape, people shots, street scenes .etc. I am in now to make money, buy more good kit and try to chill out about what the hell anyone thinks of my work. I try to put an artistic feel to my work but find that often the plain simple bog standard images sell better for me. Again,you will take the plunge but while you are waiting for the dosh to roll or trickle in, do a few odd jobs to keep gas in the motor etc Best wishes. Tom.
Thorsten – I’m sorry to hear about your redundancy.
I agree with others who have said that you have a high degree of competency and have the technical and artistic ability to produce the same or better quality photographs as professionals.
I would also agree that it is not necessarily enough to succeed as a business.
In the North there are schemes which provide information and training for those who wish to start their own business – I went on one 3 years ago. They actually pay you to attend. They covered business planning, advertising, marketing, income tax, national insurance, and third party and indemnity insurance.
I know that?s not of much use to you, but perhaps there is something similar near you?
Also, as an artist, in the South, you have a very preferential rate of income tax. I have no idea if the same applies as a photographer. I looked into about 5 years ago, when I considered moving South – in the end, I didn?t have the bottle to do it.
I wish you well, and hope that you succeed.I should add, due to nature of my main job, that I expect to lose it every year – it’s always a bonus when I don’t.
Stevie wrote:
In the North there are schemes which provide information and training for those who wish to start their own business – I went on one 3 years ago. They actually pay you to attend. They covered business planning, advertising, marketing, income tax, national insurance, and third party and indemnity insurance.
I know that?s not of much use to you, but perhaps there is something similar near you?
Also, as an artist, in the South, you have a very preferential rate of income tax. I have no idea if the same applies as a photographer. I looked into about 5 years ago, when I considered moving South – in the end, I didn?t have the bottle to do it.
I wish you well, and hope that you succeed.I should add, due to nature of my main job, that I expect to lose it every year – it’s always a bonus when I don’t.
Good thinking Steve, I had forgotton that side of things. I’m pretty sure we have a simular programme here administered through F?S and in co-operation with the Department of Social Welfare. I believe that is open to anyone who is made redundant.
Of course there are grants also and one should not forget to talk to their Local County Development Office. Is the “Leader” programme still in operation ?
If you can identify and develop a niche in a market then funding, help and mentoring is readily available. The only time thery do not give much support is if what you are creating will affect the market place of an existing business in the area you intend to trade in.Its all worth a look at though and really costs nothing to do that. Hope this helps.
Thanks again everyone for the advice and words of encouragement. While a lot of what has been said is in line with what I have been thinking myself, it’s actually great to hear this coming from others and not just from within myself. It reinforces the fact that I’ve been thinking along the right track and that I haven’t missed any of the pitfalls (or opportunities) along the way, so, once again, thanks for taking the time to contribute!
Thorston,
you are most welcome and if the shoe was on the other foot I know you would do the exact same. Like I said if we can help in some small way just shout, call or email. We’re all here to help each other and it can be anyone’s problem at anytime. I just know with your skills and experience you will come through shining at the end.Also worth checking out your local County Enterprise Board.
http://www.enterpriseboards.ie/Your_Local_CCEB_map.aspxI did a ‘Start your own Business’ course when I was setting up on my own.
It was a 10-week course, one night a week. A lot of obvious stuff is covered, but if you pick up just one hint, it’s worth it.It touches on:
– Writing a business plan.
– Financing your business.
– Market research.
– Keeping basic books of accounts.
– Cash projections.
– Registering for tax & VAT.
– Tax Implications for small business.
– Selling skills & techniques.
– Marketing plan.Also, there is a Mentoring Programme available, so you can have a business expert ‘hold your hand’ through business issues.
Thorsten, good luck with whatever you do.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
