Need to raise $$$ for a photo internship- ideas?

[PhotoJunkieJen]

So I reallyyyy want to do a photography internship with a very gifted photographer. She's cut the program rate for me due to my financial situation.
But the price is still a bit much.
Right now my job is temporary and set to end in 3 weeks. It took forever just to get this job due to the cruddy economy. I just can't blow money with the thought that I'll be able to pick up any kind of new job just like that and re-coop the cost.
I really don't want this opportunity to pass me by... she's made me a very generous offer and it's a really awesome opportunity.

So, that being said, I need ideas to raise some $$$$. Other than ebay, does anyone have any ideas? Parents are not an option. *laughs*

[dakwegmo]

Is it common to have to pay for a photography internship? All of the internships I've ever had anything do with the interns either worked for free, or for a small stipend. We were specifically cautioned against internships that required you to pay for the benefit of working somewhere, as they were usually scams.

[Jim Bryant]

CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She should be paying you for the internship, not you paying her. No matter how "gifted" she is...it's uncommon in this business that you pay to work for another photographer.

[Murtasma]

Sounds really sketch to me, what's her name? What is she charing you?

[PhotoJunkieJen]

Yeah, I understand your caution with the "paid" part. I would be cautious too. But I actually know this person and trust and respect her on a personal and professional level. I also know people who've gone through the program, so I know what I'm getting into. This wasn't just an ad on google or anything

It's less an internship and more a "start up your business" course. I just call it an internship because it's a lot more succinct than "start up your business" course. In my opinion, it's no different than paying for a business course in college or going to a conference. Part of the price is your lodging for several days. You also come away with a lot of the physical tools you need to set up a business: software, a fully set up webpage, etc. The people I know who've gone through the program have greatly benefitted in their shooting and also in the practicals of business, both of which I could use some help with.

So, no sketchiness here. I've done my homework.

[fletch]

Originally Posted by PhotoJunkieJen

Yeah, I understand your caution with the "paid" part. I would be cautious too. But I actually know this person and trust and respect her on a personal and professional level. I also know people who've gone through the program, so I know what I'm getting into. This wasn't just an ad on google or anything

It's less an internship and more a "start up your business" course. I just call it an internship because it's a lot less succinct than "start up your business" course. In my opinion, it's no different than paying for a business course in college or going to a conference. Part of the price is your lodging for several days. You also come away with a lot of the physical tools you need to set up a business, software, a fully set up webpage, etc. The people I know who've gone through the program have greatly benefitted in their shooting and also in the practicals of business.

So, no sketchiness here. I've done my homework.

Sounds much more like a course than an internship to me and as long as you are confident your investment is sound I don't see any problem. However with this set up I fail to see why you can't just delay until you have the cash. Is it worth putting yourself in finacial difficulty for?

[PhotoJunkieJen]

Basically, if I don't do it now, it'll be another whole year before I can do it. The program is only set up to do a few times a year... this is my opportunity until 2010.

I kind of feel like the money issue has me in a bind. Because of my financial situation, I can't afford to wait another whole year... I need to get something positive and profitable rolling. But I also can't really afford to spring without some sort of financial safety net. I guess this is what you call the risky game of life, huh?

[Murtasma]

How much money are we talking about here? When do you need it by?

[fletch]

Originally Posted by PhotoJunkieJen

I kind of feel like the money issue has me in a bind. Because of my financial situation, I can't afford to wait another whole year... I need to get something positive and profitable rolling. But I also can't really afford to spring without some sort of financial safety net. I guess this is what you call the risky game of life, huh?

Are you expecting to come of the back of this course and start making money imediately? That may be a bit of a tall ask as it will take a lot of time to build a photography business, you can't just throw a website up and expect the orders to come rolling in. It is definately the right thing to do in educating yourself but it won't solve your money troubles imediately.

Can you get an 'out of hours' type job to tide you over whist your are building your business, working in a bar or shop, get picking in a warehouse or working in a call centre. Not the most fulfilling jobs but will give you the time and money to build the photography from scratch. Unless you have something valueable to sell or can borrow the money thats your only option.

[Jim Bryant]

Okay...you confused us. A internship is different from a seminar or course. An internship gets ya free work experience and maybe some money as well. Whereas through this course, you'll get the same work experience, but have to pay for it. Sounds like a deal to me.