Stepping into Freelance The First 100 Days with Jeanette Bolton Martin
I have only a couple of months now until I graduate, and still no clue of what I want to do after university. I am very scared and stressed!! However attending these sessions really do help and even if I don't continue photography after graduation it is something handy to keep at the back of my mind if I ever wish to switch options later in the future. Jeanette explained to us what it was like for her and what we needed to know and consider.
Jeanette handed us a bunch of cards which individually we had to organise from the hardest to the easiest to sort out as a freelancer. For me, I thought the hardest would be getting equipment, because without any money you may find it difficult to start off a business. Whereas the easiest I thought was the bank accounts, it seems pretty straight forward to me and you have the bank to help you out. Jeanette said as long as you have the basics, such as a camera, a lens to suit the job and anything else that you would need then the rest can be bought later. She bought her equipment out right however you are able to get a loan out. As for money, she said to begin with, some months may be worse than others. The first few you may earn next to nothing, but after that possibly 2/3 grand per month depending on how much work you receive. It will work as long as it balances out right.
She recommended us females to join the Facebook page One Girl Band which is purely for female photographers to help them in their freelance business.
As we went around the group everyone had picked out their cards, hardest-easiest differently However some had similar thoughts. Office space seemed to be the easiest for most. The benefits with having an office space is the opportunity to work with other people who are in the same boat as you. You're able to help each other and knowing more than what your parents might! Pricing yourself came across as the hardest for one or two. Jeanette said that you would need to work out how much in a month do you need to cover your expenses. With that it will start to help you price yourself. Then work out how many commissions a month you will you need to earn that. Lastly you will need to find out your clients budget without underpricing yourself. However you have to be aware that giving a client a low price doesn't look professional and they are less likely to hire you. But by overcharging they may also turn you away. However if the price doesn't work out for one job foster a relationship with them and hope to work with them in the future. As an average start yourself off with a £30/50 an hour charge.
Pitching was another than someone thought was the hardest. Jeanette says that pitching comes with confidence and practise. Marketing meet ups and networking can help you to learn how to communicate with people before you go for interviews. She advised us to ask as these events for advise, for example Q: what would you expect from a photographer pitching to you? so that you're ready to pitch! Pitching isn't necessarily having to stand in front of a crowd and talk about your ideas, but instead could be a meet up at a coffee shop, something much less daunting and nerve wracking.
Learning was an easiest option for another. We should always keep learning, and continuing our interest in what we love to do. Keep in touch with what is changing and what is new. It is a natural thing to do if it is something we are genuinely interested in. It should be something you want to do and enjoy doing, because you getting out and enjoying your job!
When finding your ideal client/audience, you need to be looking for someone who is independent and friendly. Someone you would probably enjoy working with. It's all about best serving your clients and not focusing on your ego. Another tip from Jeanette was to always follow through with your original plans, if you say you're going to do 100 pictures, TAKE 100 pictures and no less.
It would be more professional looking if you were to create a separate brand and website, etc for commissioned work away from your personal work. That way those who want to commission you won't get confused with your personal work which may be very different from your commissioned work and end up not employing you. Be confident and willing to see your own flaws in your work, but also proud of what you do.
Before going freelance consider what other options I have. What suites your personality best? What suites your lifestyle best? An in house photographer is a chain of command. Or do I want something where I have more choice over what I do and when I do it? If freelancing a part time job may be needed to start putting some money together, or perhaps move back in with your parents to get money together that way without having to pay expenses.
Something very important which I had never thought about before is your mental and physical health. Always make space to look after yourself. Remember you don't get sick pay!
Insurance is also very important... in fact it is a necessity. There is The Insurance Octopus which helps to compare insurance advisers. You will need insurance for equipment, portable and office equipment cover, public liability, professional indemnity. Don't be clever when sorting out your insurance either, otherwise they will not pay out if they have noticed what you have done which they don't allow.
Here is my order of cards from hardest to easiest. HARDEST equipment, mental and physical health, self belief & motivation, marketing, branding, disseminating your work, pricing yourself, finding your ideal clients/audience, pitching, dealing with clients, office space, computing and it, accounting, tax, transport, estimates and invoices, learning. EASIEST
Jeanette handed us a bunch of cards which individually we had to organise from the hardest to the easiest to sort out as a freelancer. For me, I thought the hardest would be getting equipment, because without any money you may find it difficult to start off a business. Whereas the easiest I thought was the bank accounts, it seems pretty straight forward to me and you have the bank to help you out. Jeanette said as long as you have the basics, such as a camera, a lens to suit the job and anything else that you would need then the rest can be bought later. She bought her equipment out right however you are able to get a loan out. As for money, she said to begin with, some months may be worse than others. The first few you may earn next to nothing, but after that possibly 2/3 grand per month depending on how much work you receive. It will work as long as it balances out right.
She recommended us females to join the Facebook page One Girl Band which is purely for female photographers to help them in their freelance business.
As we went around the group everyone had picked out their cards, hardest-easiest differently However some had similar thoughts. Office space seemed to be the easiest for most. The benefits with having an office space is the opportunity to work with other people who are in the same boat as you. You're able to help each other and knowing more than what your parents might! Pricing yourself came across as the hardest for one or two. Jeanette said that you would need to work out how much in a month do you need to cover your expenses. With that it will start to help you price yourself. Then work out how many commissions a month you will you need to earn that. Lastly you will need to find out your clients budget without underpricing yourself. However you have to be aware that giving a client a low price doesn't look professional and they are less likely to hire you. But by overcharging they may also turn you away. However if the price doesn't work out for one job foster a relationship with them and hope to work with them in the future. As an average start yourself off with a £30/50 an hour charge.
Pitching was another than someone thought was the hardest. Jeanette says that pitching comes with confidence and practise. Marketing meet ups and networking can help you to learn how to communicate with people before you go for interviews. She advised us to ask as these events for advise, for example Q: what would you expect from a photographer pitching to you? so that you're ready to pitch! Pitching isn't necessarily having to stand in front of a crowd and talk about your ideas, but instead could be a meet up at a coffee shop, something much less daunting and nerve wracking.
Learning was an easiest option for another. We should always keep learning, and continuing our interest in what we love to do. Keep in touch with what is changing and what is new. It is a natural thing to do if it is something we are genuinely interested in. It should be something you want to do and enjoy doing, because you getting out and enjoying your job!
When finding your ideal client/audience, you need to be looking for someone who is independent and friendly. Someone you would probably enjoy working with. It's all about best serving your clients and not focusing on your ego. Another tip from Jeanette was to always follow through with your original plans, if you say you're going to do 100 pictures, TAKE 100 pictures and no less.
It would be more professional looking if you were to create a separate brand and website, etc for commissioned work away from your personal work. That way those who want to commission you won't get confused with your personal work which may be very different from your commissioned work and end up not employing you. Be confident and willing to see your own flaws in your work, but also proud of what you do.
Before going freelance consider what other options I have. What suites your personality best? What suites your lifestyle best? An in house photographer is a chain of command. Or do I want something where I have more choice over what I do and when I do it? If freelancing a part time job may be needed to start putting some money together, or perhaps move back in with your parents to get money together that way without having to pay expenses.
Something very important which I had never thought about before is your mental and physical health. Always make space to look after yourself. Remember you don't get sick pay!
Insurance is also very important... in fact it is a necessity. There is The Insurance Octopus which helps to compare insurance advisers. You will need insurance for equipment, portable and office equipment cover, public liability, professional indemnity. Don't be clever when sorting out your insurance either, otherwise they will not pay out if they have noticed what you have done which they don't allow.
Here is my order of cards from hardest to easiest. HARDEST equipment, mental and physical health, self belief & motivation, marketing, branding, disseminating your work, pricing yourself, finding your ideal clients/audience, pitching, dealing with clients, office space, computing and it, accounting, tax, transport, estimates and invoices, learning. EASIEST
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