In a message dated 9/6/03 1:59:00 AM Central Daylight Time, shutterbug123@hotmail.com writes: << Thank You Luis! While Emily's knowledge and advice are well taken, they are not very practical in my case at least. Let me explain...the local newspaper has an opening (which I learned about from my neighbor who had just left the job) I have taken portraits of the editors daughter at my part time job (Sears Portrait Studio)...I think this might be an interesting job and great experience...So the next time I photograph said child, I ask the editor about the position...she tells me I should come in a fill out an application...after getting reassurance that they can work around my Sears schedule (a job that I love and have done for the last 7 years,) I go in to the newspaper office and fill out an application...I meet the other two photographers (both full time) I am then told that they are on a hiring freeze....I am told what it pays..which is next to nothing....and that the job is mine if I want it as soon as the freeze lifts...(or sooner if the other two very overworked photogs can get through to the board).....Now, if I were to walk in there and demand all the the things that Emily says I am entitled to....they would promptly show me the door....and hire someone who will work for it. When my neighbor got the job, he was 6 months out of high school and had no more experience than his high school photography class. (singular word there). Do I want the job to get rich? No...Do I want the job to put food on my table...No. Are there 10 other photographers in Logansport Indiana that will suffer because I am accepting the amount of pay (and "bennies" or lack there of)? No. There are THREE portrait studios in Logansport...one is a local guy who had done quite well for himself...then priced himself out of a large amount of clients when factories started closing and he kept raising his prices...also a complaint was that people were under the impression that he would be personally taking every photograph..then he hired 5 photographers out of school and sent them to do his high priced weddings and senior portraits and baby portraits etc...then guess what happened? We (Sears Portrait Studio the second of the three studios) started getting his customers..How do I know? They have told us over and over again that they could not believe they had been paying his prices when our photographers were at least as good if not better than the ones he had working for him. So, either we are really good, or his photographers are not..doesn't really matter at this point does it? So..here I sit..can't Wait for that darn hiring freeze to be lifted...so that I can do what I love every day and gain some knowledge and experience along the way..and see my name in a credit line! (sure don't get that at SPS) .might not look bad on a resume for the next step up whenever and whatever that may be. Sorry Emily...certainly would not want to lower the industry standards...but don't want to miss an opportunity either Angi >> Well, I personally believe in the fact that you should do what you love to do and are passionate about. The newsapaper industry has been paying low forever and will probably continue to pay low because there are many people out there that just simply love what they do and if they don't, then they should do commercial/advertising work or portraits which do pay a lot. I think you should definitely do the job and gain that valuable experience you will be learning from it. There is no price on knowledge. It is invaluable. Small newspapers will never pay much because they will never have the budget to, so why pass up such a good opportunity to do what you enjoy. Leslie Spurlock <A HREF="http://lesliescottphotography.com/";>Leslie Scott Photography</A> <A HREF="http://www.lesliescottphotography.com/phototours.htm";>Leslie Scott Photography and Tours</A> 1-888-381-0854 lscottpht@aol.com
