Starting Out Again in a New City

I graduated with a BS in Photography, and immediately began an internship at a

med- sized newspaper. I loved it. After the internship, I was offered a regular

freelance gig for them and sister papers. Everything was great...

Then my husband got a job across the country, so we moved. So I did my weeks of

market research, contacted about 40 photographers, (of which only 7 responded

and 4 were willing to meet with me). I contacted the main newspaper, and a few

local monthly freebies. -- I forgot to mention I moved to Savannah, GA, the

heavily populated town of Savannah College of Art and Design. How can I compete

with a SCAD student who will shoot anything and everything for FREE? The

photographers I did talk to have chuckled at my dismay. There are no ASMP, or

NPPA chapters in the area, no local photo club thats open to the public. My

networking has fallen short, since no one wants to take on an assistant or

second shooter, when they can get a SCAD for free.

Am I missing something? Am I forgetting a resource? Anyone been in a similar

situation? Any advice would be great.

Yup, students will shoot anything and everything for free - and it'll be worth every penny.

On the plus side, Savannah is a beautiful city.

The way to compete with students who will work for free is to do a better job. You have the edge in experience. Also, despite the influence of SCAD, Savannah remains a very conservative, traditional city. If you dress the part - conservatively with a sense for the local fashion - and don't flaunt piercings and tattoos, you'll have another edge over the students. "Old" Savannah still regards SCAD with some caution, rather like a cash cow that you wish wasn't in your living room.

Show up on time. Come up with your own ideas. As a former editor, writer and photographer for newspapers ranging from dailies, to smaller dailies and weeklies, one thing that drives editors nuts is dealing with kids who need to be led around by the noses (which, I suppose, makes those piercing handy). Editors want stringers with initiative, not kids whining "I don't know what the take pictures of!"

I live in Fort Worth, a city somewhat similar to Savannah (BTW, I lived in Savannah as a kid and have visited since the city was reinvigorated a few years ago). It is both conservative and "artsy" as long as the arts and cultural influences aren't perceived as "too edgy." The most successful stringers - writers and photographers - seem to be women ranging in age from their 30s on up. Not kids straight out of school.

You'll do fine.