Questions about opinions on freelance

[ben_lee4]

Hey all,

I am a student at a high school in Vermont, I have been heavily into

photography for about 3 years now. In an entrepreneurship class of

mine we set out to create a mock business. I had the idea of a sort of

business intermediary between publications and freelance

photographers, but with permenant employees. I need to administer a

survey and I thought that photo.net might be a good place for some

answers. Anything anyone has would help me out...

thanks for your time - here is the survey:

 

 

Roam photography is an organization of professionals who provide a

reliable photography service to help secure the financial careers of

freelance photographers and insure the results to various

publications. The following survey will help with gathering knowledge

on photographers? thoughts or needs related to freelance occupations.

Thank you for your time and help.

 

A simple Yes/No answer will suffice for all except question #12

1. Is the freelance photography market too risky for you?

 

2. Are there enough well paying and secure photography jobs?

 

3. Are client relations the least appealing aspect of freelance

photography?

 

4. Is initial funding an issue for freelance photography?

 

5. Are transactions between photographer and publications too

risky?

 

6. Are transactions between photographer and publications too

slow?

 

7. Is formal education important for a professional photographer?

 

8. Is professional experience important for quality results?

 

9. Is digital photography helping news photography?

 

10. Does traditional photography, as an ideal, appeal to you?

 

11. Is the business aspect of freelance photography unappealing?

 

12. What percentage of a freelance income is the business aspect

worth?

 

13. Would you be willing to work for a company which handles all

business aspects for a portion of each sale?

[art_haykin]

Before going any further, please explain what you mean by this statememt: "I had the idea of a sort of business intermediary between publications and freelance photographers, but with permenant employees." It SOUNDS like you want to set up an agency representing freelancers and placing them, as needed, with appropriate employers, sort of like an employment agency furnishing experienced temps to offices, By definition, a true freelancer does not seek permanent or exclusive employment by any one firm, though MIGHT want the services of an agent or rep, depending on what is being offered. It sounds like, from question 13, that you want the photographer to work for YOU, and I doubt that any really good freelancer would be interested in a deal like that. Lastly, your questions seem naive and often off point.

[brooks short]

I've been a freelance commercial photographer for over 20 years. I work for my clients not for an employer but I'll give your survey a shot....

 

1. No

 

2. Freelancing has nothing to do with "well paying and secure photography jobs".

 

3. No

 

4. Yes

 

5. No

 

6. No

 

7. No

 

8. Yes

 

9. Yes

 

10. I have no idea what this question means.

 

11. No

 

12. None

 

13. No

[eric merrill]

1. no

 

2. -

 

3. no

 

4. yes

 

5. no

 

6. no

 

7. no

 

8. yes

 

9. -

 

10. yes

 

11. no

 

12. 0

 

13. no

[bill c.]

Ben-- Just to let you know, your business concept is nothing new at all. Agencies like Black Star have been doing exactly what you propose for decades. They not only get general news/stock images from their photographers, but they are called by publications and businesses for photographers for specific assignments. For all of this, they generally get a 50% cut.

 

Also, there is a business associate to most high-level photographers known as a "Rep," short for "Representative." She or he usually gets a 25% to 30% cut of all business. Often reps will handle several photographers, but not nearly as many as agencies. They will contact clients, negotiate payments, etc. They usually don't do the billing, whereas agencies will.

 

 

1. Is the freelance photography market too risky for you?

A. If it was, I wouldn't be doing it.

 

2. Are there enough well paying and secure photography jobs?

A. Not if they have to fit both of those criteria.

 

3. Are client relations the least appealing aspect of freelance photography?

A. Not always. Sometimes it is gaining access to the subject or a location.

 

4. Is initial funding an issue for freelance photography?

A. In terms of the primary funding of a business, or in terms of funding specific jobs?

 

5. Are transactions between photographer and publications too risky?

A. No. I've had more trouble with some very wealthy and allegedly reputable corporations than I've had with publications.

 

6. Are transactions between photographer and publications too slow?

A. In terms of them calling me on short notice and my ability to get things done in record time, no. In terms of getting them to cut a check for payment, always.

 

7. Is formal education important for a professional photographer?

A. Yes, at the very least because it provides legitimacy, proving that the photographer has invested substantial time and money, and achieved a certain level of recognition.

 

8. Is professional experience important for quality results?

A. It is the most important factor for quality results.

 

9. Is digital photography helping news photography?

A. It's making it faster and less wasteful of resources.

 

10. Does traditional photography, as an ideal, appeal to you?

A. Your terms need better defined here. Not answerable as written.

 

11. Is the business aspect of freelance photography unappealing?

A. No moreso than for other businesses.

 

12. What percentage of a freelance income is the business aspect worth?

A. Too loaded a question. Depends on the value added aspect of whoever is providing the service. A bad rep is worth less than nothing, a good rep is worth far more than the 25% that is customary.

 

13. Would you be willing to work for a company which handles all business aspects for a portion of each sale?

A. I do that now.

 

Best regards. -BC-

[allgone]

A simple Yes/No answer will suffice for all except question #12

 

1. Is the freelance photography market too risky for you? No

 

2. Are there enough well paying and secure photography jobs? Yes

 

3. Are client relations the least appealing aspect of freelance photography? No

 

4. Is initial funding an issue for freelance photography? Yes

 

5. Are transactions between photographer and publications too risky?

No

 

6. Are transactions between photographer and publications too slow?

Sometimes

 

7. Is formal education important for a professional photographer? No

 

8. Is professional experience important for quality results? Yes

 

9. Is digital photography helping news photography? Yes

 

10. Does traditional photography, as an ideal, appeal to you?

 

11. Is the business aspect of freelance photography unappealing? No

 

12. What percentage of a freelance income is the business aspect worth?

 

13. Would you be willing to work for a company which handles all business aspects for a portion of each sale? No way. Then I wouldn't wouldn't be a freelancer anymore. Right now I'm a 100% self employed and what I earn belongs to me and the IRS and noone else. A middle man is not needed at least in my field. I doubt it could help me be any more successful.

[the black rabbit]

Jessica, can I ask a question? You say in response to number 13 'No Way'...however do you work with Associated Press? Aren't they a middle man/lady? I would imagine saying Jessica Hill/AP has an element of success attached to it? And it also must get you into a great deal of interesting venues? Sorry, I noticed on some of your pictures the tag AP. Your photos are fantastic by the way, you've got a great eye for reportage I have to say. Being a professional myself it's good to see great work. Very inspiring.

 

Just out of interest..all those who answered NO to 7. Is formal education important for a professional photographer? are you all self taught or have you had formal training?

 

By the way, I'm not associated to Ben or this question, just simply interested in how people are answering these questions.