News from my Paper's Photo Editor

[waffles]

I just got talked to by the photo editor of our newspaper not even 2 minutes ago.

He wants me to do more than just sports. He said as freelance as possible. He sends me a list of events, and I let him know which ones I can't do so they can make sure that someone can get it covered. And he doesn't want me to sacrifice doing any sports stuff to do it.

$8 a shot might not be enough to live on, but it is a nice chunk of spending money to help with a new lens.

Guess this means I maybe shouldn't go so specific on my business card though...

[oldwolf]

grats on the other jobs from the editor.

so are you going to change that to freelance photographer now?

[Sime]

awesome work!... well done you

[private]

A big congrats Waffles! And maybe you should just say photographer

[abn72ny]

That's great, congratulations! Could you share any advice on how to approach newspapers for that kind of work?

[Taallyn]

Congratulations. It sounds like things are moving along quite well for you.

[OsmosisStudios]

abn72ny: From what Ive seen in my attempts, most places require you to have a mode of transportation (Ie. a car), some experience (a wicked portfolio) and at least a bachelors degree (doesn;t really matter what it's in).

[waffles]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

abn72ny: From what Ive seen in my attempts, most places require you to have a mode of transportation (Ie. a car), some experience (a wicked portfolio) and at least a bachelors degree (doesn;t really matter what it's in).

Except mine's the university paper, so you have to be a student here with your own camera and some skill. They don't check it before hand, partly because they get the first 3 things published without paying you. So if you suck then they just won't let you do anything else and will be done with you.

Originally Posted by abn72ny

That's great, congratulations! Could you share any advice on how to approach newspapers for that kind of work?

When I asked my local paper if they wanted shots from a game they didn't send a photographer to I was told they didn't have money in the budget to pay me. My conversation with them stopped there because I didn't feel like going through shots and sending them a few for no pay.

Go talk to the paper and see what they need. Then work your way up.

[abn72ny]

Ok, so I have my plan of action: get a wicked portfolio set up, make contact with the paper and go from there.

Thanks.

[OsmosisStudios]

waffles: I had been applying with some of the smaller city papers, which are all privately owned. So that may have been why they had such strict requirements.