I like to talk to folks about the work I do. Sometimes though, I'd like to find an easier way to give them a clearer image about my job. Most people seem to think that I must party like a rock star, hang out with famous people, travel the globe and only take a break from that to shoot some pictures. The perception couldn’t be any further from the truth. Most people don’t believe that though. Most people would be surprised to learn than in 2012 the average hourly wage for photographers was merely $13.70. According to the figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical photographer can hardly go out for dinner on what is earned in a single hour.
Why the disconnect in perception and reality. What is it about being a freelance photojournalist that most people just can’t wrap their minds around? What is it exactly that makes this job harder than it looks?
The Work Challenges Your Commitment Every Day
Regardless of the type work you do, you still fall somewhere on the love/hate continuum on our own job. Maybe you love the work you do. Maybe you hate it. Probably though you fall somewhere in the middle and even that can change from day-to-day.
For professional photographers, it often seems like there’s more at stake. Every image I put out brings with it a sort of pressure. Pressure to create, pressure to do better than the day before. Pressure to share passion with the world — even if the world doesn’t like what I’m sharing. It’s a daily battle — and rising to the challenge is not always an easy thing to do.
Goodbye Free Time
Professional photographers shoot what and where our clients need shot. News doesn’t break strictly between 9 to 5. World events don’t happen within the confines of a Monday thru Friday work week.
3 Simple Words : Cost of Gear
No explanation needed
Benefits! Yeah? What Benefits?
A freelancer has to cover the bill for their own insurance — health, life, disability, equipment. Paying for quality insurance can be difficult. Vacation time? Forget about it. You’re on your own. You don’t get vacation. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. This can be very tough and stress-filling.
Wacky Working Conditions
Combat zones. Hurricanes. Border Wars. And those don’t include the constant, inherent, disregard for safety and common sense when it comes down to getting “The Shot.” As a freelance photojournalist, being on call 24/7 with one eye constantly on the news is not easy.
More “Photographers” Than Jobs — You Figure it Out
Welcome to digital photography; suddenly EVERYONE is a professional photographer. Lower overhead may have made it easy to get into photography, but it has also made it harder to stay in photography. Pros and pro-amateurs use the same gear. The learning curve of exposure and technique has fallen. More importantly, there are only so many jobs and so many assignments. It’s Economics 101. Start dividing a limited number of gigs by an ever growing number of “photographers” and, well, something has to give somewhere.
But, I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way
Of course there are some things I would change. The truth is though that photography — in some ways — is like any other job with its ups and downs. There’s good days and bad days. Do I believe it would be easier if clients and the public had a better — and more realistic — idea of what we do? Definitely.
On the other hand, hanging out with famous people, traveling the globe and only taking a break from that to shoot some pictures isn’t so bad every once in a while either.
Jerry Nelson is a professional freelance photojournalist and documentary photographer. Busy on assignment in South America where he covers social justice issues, Jerry is always interesteed in discussing future work opportunities. Contact him today. Jerry’s website can be seen here.
