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Work Experience
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Hey im only new to the site :D my question is…. whats the problem giving students work experience??
Im currently studying photography in college and im trying to find work experience ive asked a couple of photo agencys and photographers
but nobody seems bothered they just dismiss me by saying oh give us your details and well get back to you….
But ill bet these are the ppl who if i was looking for a job from would be saying that i need some experience!!!!!!!!!It’s the standard catch 22 situation. We’ve all been through it in all walks of life.
It would really depend on the photographer though. How long do you need for your work experience? What are the “hours” as such?
Some photographers work when there is business – evenings, weekends, events etc. Some photographers work all hours of the day, depending on what they do. It would really depend.
I’ve also found that some photographers feel threatened by new young photographers coming in to the business, and taking away from their market share.
I’m only a hobby photographer, otherwise I’d offer to help you.
hi JimbO
Ironically I’d have to guess the problem is most people are too busy.
Regardless of your student credentials you still need to have something to offer. Good places get calls / emails everyday from prospective free workers / experience seekers.
You also have to show you really want it. A phone call on it’s own probably won’t get you far I’m afraid.
Just as in any other business, your skills and portfolio is much more important than your educational background. I worked in many sectors without ever mentioning my masters degree in environmental sciences. Try emphasizing the brilliance of your work instead of that you are a student. It’s just a plus if you offer to work for free…
eas wrote:
Ironically I’d have to guess the problem is most people are too busy.
It’s not so much ‘too busy’ – it’s more a case of not having time to muck around with someone new when a job comes in.
On a shoot, time is money.
It’s not the time to be standing around explaining things or showing someone how to do things.Ashley wrote:
eas wrote:
Ironically I’d have to guess the problem is most people are too busy.
It’s not so much ‘too busy’ it more a case of not having time to be mucking around with someone new when a job comes in.
On a shoot, time is money.
It’s not the time to be standing around explaining things or showing someone how to do things.hi Ashley
that’s pretty much what I meant, too busy = not having the time.
Unfortunately photographers generally don’t have to look for assistants, that’s just the way it is.
When they want one they’ve plenty of CVs and contacts on file to dip into.Photographers just don’t need the hassle of hand-holding a newbie unless they really need to take someone on.
If they’re busy they’ve probably got a few regular assistants they can call on, if they’re not busy they don’t want to be paying for someone to faff about.
A lot of it is down to chance, just being in contact with someone when they’re looking to take someone on.I don’t think experience is such a big issue to be honest.
Can you carry lots of gear up lots of flights of stairs and back down again after a long day’s shoot without whining?
Can you not trip over cables or get in anyone’s way?
Can you generally just keep quiet and do what you’re told while fading into the background?
That’s pretty much it, lots of donkey work and long hours for generally not much pay.Having a portfolio isn’t generally necessary unless you’re looking to join a team of photographers as a photographer.
In that case they might start you off as an assistant/junior photographer to see how good you are.
Certainly, having a portfolio will show an interest and enthusiasm for the industry – no bad thing – but herself has had about 5 or 6 assistants over the years and only one had a portfolio. Three of them eventually went on to try their hand at photography as a career, one more successfully than the others.Most photographers tend to be one person outfits, with a team, including freelancers, they can pull together when required.
It’s not an easy profession to break into at any level, never has been, but there’s never really been a shortage of peope trying.Mick.
Discussion so far has been to do with time/willingness to instruct a new start. I am not in a position to contribute to that. I was just wondering if this issue is anything to do with liability insurance. In the North – in the building trade – the insurance premiums for tradesmen who take on apprentices are becoming prohibitive, resulting in some trainees finding it impossible to get a start.
Not sure it has much to do with that, BM.
Herself has to have it to cover clients and set builders, etc, who visit the studio.
It’s a general cover for x amount of damages, not specific to an individual.Mick451 wrote:
Unfortunately photographers generally don’t have to look for assistants, that’s just the way it is.
When they want one they’ve plenty of CVs and contacts on file to dip into.Photographers just don’t need the hassle of hand-holding a newbie unless they really need to take someone on.
If they’re busy they’ve probably got a few regular assistants they can call on, if they’re not busy they don’t want to be paying for someone to faff about.
A lot of it is down to chance, just being in contact with someone when they’re looking to take someone on.I don’t think experience is such a big issue to be honest.
Can you carry lots of gear up lots of flights of stairs and back down again after a long day’s shoot without whining?
Can you not trip over cables or get in anyone’s way?
Can you generally just keep quiet and do what you’re told while fading into the background?
That’s pretty much it, lots of donkey work and long hours for generally not much pay.Having a portfolio isn’t generally necessary unless you’re looking to join a team of photographers as a photographer.
In that case they might start you off as an assistant/junior photographer to see how good you are.
Certainly, having a portfolio will show an interest and enthusiasm for the industry – no bad thing – but herself has had about 5 or 6 assistants over the years and only one had a portfolio. Three of them eventually went on to try their hand at photography as a career, one more successfully than the others.Most photographers tend to be one person outfits, with a team, including freelancers, they can pull together when required.
It’s not an easy profession to break into at any level, never has been, but there’s never really been a shortage of peope trying.Mick.
Have to agree with the above. Personally I work alone myself and with the irregular hours it would not be easy to have someone else work here. As I say so often, the weekend here is Monday & Tuesday usually and the working day can be somewhere between 9.00am and 12.00 midnight. I still have great time off but it may not be when the “regular” workforce are off. So many people enter this industry and want their hours to be 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. Its just not so.
cheers for the replys but the point i would like to make out is that im studying “photography” not furniture removal
im all for helping out at a shoot but at the end of the day im there to learn and how can i do that if im running around fixing lights etc..
also as id be doing the work experience for college it wouldnt be paid :roll:
In my “Experience” if a student on work experience has the right attitude, is eager to help and learn they will quickly gain the respect and trust of the Professional and get a lot from the experience. On the other hand when somebody comes in with an ATTITUDE “that’s not what I am here for” they will be allowed to sit in the corner cataloging old negatives for two weeks! Ps treat it like a job, arrive on time, dressed appropriately for the business and put the mobile phone away!
Well, good luck to you then-
There has been some very good advice given in this thread-
hopefully somebody else will read it,
and find it useful-In the meantime, just leave your details, and we’ll get back to you…
j
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