General Forums >> Photography Bistro >> Fresh out of College and going insane
Fresh out of College and going insane
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Posted 3 months ago I graduated almost a year ago with a degree in photography. I always have known that I don't really have a thing for weddings and that side of photography. I want to be able to do fine art photography on my own. But how do you do it, how do you establish yourself? How do you make the money in the beginging to do so? For a year I have been looking for a job in order to start doing what I really want to do in life, photography. But I can't find anything. It is so hard in this world and in this economy for someone who graduated with a BFA to find a job that can support their life. It is so frustrating to me that I worked so hard and probably harder than many to come out of college with a degree that so many consider a crap degree and was an easy way out. That so many employers think I do not have the qualifications to do a job. How am I ever going to get to that point where I can be a fine art photographer? How am I ever going to get my family and loved ones to know that photography and art is my job and not a hobby for me to work on occasionally? |
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| Posted 2 months ago I know how you feel and the frustration behind it all. I also graduated about a year ago and was well still am in the same situation. All I can tell you is what I have done so far to make me feel that I am working tward my ultimate goal. I have started a business called Image Revealed. My ideal goal for this business is to create and sell my artwork. I am far from this... in order to suplement untill I can reach these hights I do what I can for the general public that need the survices I can provide. I do portraits, weddings, events (NOT my favorite in the least nor do I feel it is my best talent but a step to a larger goal, and the people I do this for love the outcome so who am I to tell them what they should and shouldnt like) This also alows me to network with people who like my work, they may see my "artistic" page on my sight and buy a photo or two. I also create graphic images for small companies ( I have not landed an large companys yet :) ) I do excactly what they want so they keep coming back. It dosn't give me to much artistic freedom but again it gets people to know I am there know I am an artist. I plan to slowly pick away at this untill I have a large nework of people who like my work know me and will help me expan. Everyone is a link to someone else, I have met people who know gallery owners they have put me in contact with and so on. Slowly but surly this is helping me work tward my ultamite goal and I am having fun doing it. Hope this helps. :) Good Luck! |
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| Posted 2 months ago Hey, I think I can relate to this one. I graduated from college with a degree from a liberal arts school, all my computer skills were out of date by the time they handed me the parchment. I worked my way up gradually....I started by networking. Internships, even if they don't pay a dime, can really be a fast track for someone in the arts. Look at museums/galleries...see if they need someone working behind the scenes. That way, you can keep your skills up to par, even learn a thing or two, and meet people that might help you down the line. You can also look up your statewide arts council...they usually hand out grant money and set up art exhibits. Finally, don't quit creating...look at the beauty or injustice around you...whatever it is that motivates you. Look for opportunities to hang your work somewhere...even if it is a public library conference room that noone ever sees....that way you are still building the right experiences for later. Some examples from my personal life: I just finished Christmas season 2007 with 4 arts and crafts shows...lost about 200 bucks in admission fees to the events, but I networked while I was there. I sold a couple of pieces, but that wasn't going to cover my expenses...I'm still paying on that. However, I got a chance to hang my work in a nice art gallery set up for our public library public. I also work with some nature stores/coffee shops in my area to give my art a little exposure. Finally, I have had invitations to work for free for the local homeless coalition creating art for their newsletter; several job offers at art supply places- one framing art work(great experience)....and even one offer of a freelance wedding 1000 miles away...just from my art shows. |
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| Posted 2 months ago OK let me help you with that question. It takes time and with every year a new batch of young photographers come out of Art schools all over the nation. What you have to do is fine a area that you excel in for now and work on that. Fine art is a hard market to break into and you may have to shoot some weddings to support your habit of fine art. One example of a great master of the craft and is well known to most photographer is Ansel Adams yes the master of the Zone System. Even he shot weddings and more to make his living. Of course he has past on and just left the world with the most beautiful images of the west cost areas and national parks. I have been at this for over thirty years and now I am going back to shooting weddings and other things I had shot in the early days as I was making a living. I shoot journalism when it comes around but now I have been dedicating my time to teaching others. Look around you at your home town find something interesting and begin a project. Don't stop until you have covered every angle of it. Put it together and put up a show in the local library or city government office or a local art gallery. In the mean time do what you have to do to put food on the table and to make a living. Once you get someone to notice you you wont have any trouble getting work. But it is up to you to make the effort to get noticed. Good Luck. By the way send me a link to your site and I will be happy to give it a look. Michael
furd0004 says ...
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