How did you make ends meet when you were starting out in your field and struggling
Maybe you managed to make money within that field from the get go. I'm a photographer, and writer. Any ideas for how one can make money while still in the process of getting their career moving?
Replies12
- @Abigail Baldwin thanks Abigail that’s super helpful!
- @Mandie Johnson yeah I actually love the idea and I’m going to start seriously looking into it. Your suggestion has reminded me to do so and start contacting photographers.I’ve also starting learning graphic design, and book cover design, taking online courses, reading, making designs. I used to draw all the time so it’s bringing back that joy. And it feels like the photography and the design are really informing each other which is great.I’ll look further into photography assistant roles.
- Hi Sean,I can totally appreciate how you must feel! It's frustrating when you have your dream career in mind, but at the beginning of the journey. It's tough to make ends meet.I would recommend getting a part time job as nothing kills creativity like stressing over money! Once you have some financial stability, you can gradually ease out of the part time work.Also, I found having a non-creative job spurred me on further! Somehow, it helped me muster a bit more energy. I was excited to go home and do my design work and illustration.The part time work won't be forever, but it saves a lot of stress and headaches.I hope this helps. :-)
- Hi Sean,Have you considered taking on the role of assistant to photographers who are well established in your field?When I began working as a professional art director I met quite a few assistant photographers who were learning as they were paid to help, and I sometimes enrolled them to work with me on smaller, less professional (but still very creative) jobs. This way they earned a little extra and were able to build on their portolio with more varied work.
- Wrote down all my expenses and saw what I could reduce. Moved back with my parents, sold my sneakers, saved my student loan, sim only phone deal, slept at friends houses and did lots of free work to build a portfolio
- Hi SeanI spent loads of time learning from copywriters in my ad agency and then offering my writing skills to ‘one man bands’ who couldn’t afford agencies.I ended up writing radio ads for comedians selling DVDs and making ends meet like that.I also did a lot of extras work on ads.There’ll be ways to make money from the industry you’re in if you’re willing to step outside what it is that you do for a moment.Good luck.Stay Boom!
- I took on design projects I wasn't very fond of but sough after and well paid like presentation designer, banner designer, Flash (yes, it was still a thing) animator. I still do if time's tough.
- Hello Sean,When I first started out at university I took a part time job in a warehouse unloading lorries and organising stock in fridges and freezers, this gave me some financial stability while I improved my creative portfolio.I would then approach new clients and do projects for them such as taking photographs for their businesses and I would also design projects for clients such as websites, flyers, posters, business cards, etc. to increase my income.Once I graduated kept going out and met new clients and would do jobs for them and this built my reputation and after a while the small jobs turned into larger jobs and I was able to grow perpetually after that.It helped that I was working with clients that I wanted to work with, it also helped that I would work every day into the early hours of the morning so although I was working 15 hour days it didn’t feel like work.That is a very important to have drive and energy for what you want, this drive will help to overcome competition, inertia, recessions, doubts, etc.An important thing to focus on is that you are always there to solve problems and create value for others.When we have no money, the only other thing we have is our effort and sweat equity.Today there are wonderful opportunities to write for clients online all over the world and to share images online, and build your personal brand.You may need to do work for free or cheaply to build your reputation, and once you have built your reputation up then you should be able to demand your own fees and get moving.Many people people overestimate what they can do in a year, and underestimate what they can do in 10 years.Build your brand for the long-term and you will be in a wonderful position further on down the line if you remain consistent.I hope that helps and have a wonderful day.
- I kept my full time job to pay the rent and utilities and fund my equipment. In photography you need to invest upfront in cameras, computers, licences etc. You start low on what you can get at that moment, but I was the one that loved a good bokeh and large apertures. I was photographing evenings/weekends, renting and testing gear, doing personal projects and occasional paid shoots, trying all styles before discovering what I enjoy; learning as it goes. The job allowed me to upgrade the gear, experiment. It was tough, I was exhausted but hyper determined and slowly start enjoying fruits of this labour.I suggest getting experience writing and shooting what you like, joining groups online, meetups, getting involved on social media - really involved, commenting/engaging with the employers or clients you want to work with.Good luck, love the process, the discovery and the money comes at some point. Message me if you want to chat further.
- Hi Sean, that's a good question to ask. When I was starting out (1990) I knew that I wanted to be working in a creative gig full time, but still had to pay the rent. I took all kinds of random jobs if they paid reasonably. There were SO many that I won't list them, but I recall carrying my freelancer business card with me all the time and giving them to everyone I met who had any hint of industry connection. The funny part is that I was fired from a few places over the years for being so unqualified for several jobs (I was the worst catererer ever) but I would just go get another job. Was it easy? No. Was I determined? Yes.
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