Different ways of freelancing
Freelance photography can be an extremely rewarding career. It can potentially open you up to many experiences and take you around the world. There is a wide Varity for work, especially with the Internet, which has opened up another channel for people to sell their work and gain contacts; also the more traditional sources such as magazines and newspapers.
Fundamentally you have three choices, to operate as a sole trader ( self employed)
Defining the world of freelance
‘Before going any farther, to understand the way of freelance, what it means to be a freelance photographer. First of all, it is to be considered “self-employed” and this means you must establish yourself as a legally operating business entity.
Often this is done under the official heading of “sole proprietorship”. You will need to research the business and tax codes in your specific state or region to understand exactly how you need to get formally organized (usually this means getting a Tax ID and registering with your Secretary of the State or local business office). Don’t skip these steps because they will allow you to enjoy tax deductions and will keep you in line with official government agencies and local business organizations too.
This means that you will have to plan ahead, participate in the business around the clock, and remain extremely organized if you want to work for yourself in the field of photography. Fundamentally, you must realize that as a freelance agent you will have to “wear many hats” and this means you are going to be a business professional just as often as a creative artist – if not more so. Some freelance photographers admit that only 25% to 30% of their workday goes to the actual photography and that the rest is bookkeeping, promotion, management and sales.’ - http://www.thephotoargus.com/freelance/understanding-freelance-photography/
Three different ways of freelancing
One way in freelancing is to work from home; you are your own boss, you are in control of your workday, go at your own pace and control how far you want your carer will take you. You are working with different clients and even if you have a particular style you do have to stick to what the client wants; work to give them what they need.
Pros:
- You are able to set your own hours
- You can set your own rates.
- You can make your own rules to how you do your job
Cons:
- People do expect you to work 24/7
- Knowing how much to charge
- What rules can you make, that are fair to you and your customers
Working in a Group/ Photography Co-operative
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Privacy/ policy and security
http://www.freelance-photos.co.uk/cgi-bin/page.cgi?1011
One of the biggest mistakes photographers make when they take pictures, is to believe that they can use their images wherever and however they wish. This isn’t that simple.
Model and Property Release
Model Release:
What is a model release?
A model release is a legal document signed by the subject, location or product owner, granting permission for the image to be published.
Why do we need them?
You need these forms is you are doing any type of paid photo shoots.
Different release forms:
- Adults
- Minors- under 18
- Photographing children is slightly different: paid child models need to be licensed, so use a reputable model agency. For photographing children who are not professional models, again it isn’t compulsory to obtain a model release, but a signed parental consent form is a good idea if you’re doing studio shoots.
Minor Release Form: Adult Release Form:
Property Release
What is a Property release?
It is when using pictures that contain clearly recognizable places or other property, a property release protects you against legal claims by the owner of the property.
In general, property releases are obtained when using pictures of property for commercial purposes, such as in ads or brochures. Editorial use (news photos, for example) do not usually require property releases although in some cases it is common courtesy to obtain permission.
Images containing property/landmarks/logos/art/etc... may require signed property releases. It is up to you to decide whether the license usage will require a release. You should be aware that there are occasions when an image may not be used despite having a property release. For example, if the subject portrayed is to be used in a sensitive issue subject or if the intended context of use is considered defamatory to any third party interests.
Location release form:
Risk assessment
A Risk Assessment is a systematic method of looking at work activities, considering what could go wrong, and deciding on suitable control measures to prevent loss, damage or injury in the workplace. The Assessment should include the controls required to eliminate, reduce or minimize the risks.
This is an example of a Photographers risk assessment form:
My example of a risk assessment form:
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, sometimes for a limited time. It gives the owner the right to be credited for the work.
Protecting you images online:
Option 1: Visible Watermark
One of the main ways to add a watermark is ti make it clearly visible to anyone looking at the image. This can discourage people from taking your photo.
Option 2: Editing the exif Data
On the Mac: I haven’t found as simple of a way to edit exif data like there is on the PC, however, PhotoToolCM (located near the bottom of the page) allows you to create a contextual menu so that when you right click (or Ctrl+Click) you can edit the photo’s exif data. Here, you can add a comment which includes your copyright notice.
Here is am example of doing it on Photoshop:
Open blank page.
Get text tool and type in; To access the copyright symbol "©", press Option-G on a Mac
Then paste onto your image.
Another way to copyright your image and not have the watermark
Option 3: Doing it in the camera
Not all cameras have the option to add a comment or copyright info, but for those that do, a very easy way to make sure that you don’t have to add copyright data to your exif info is to make sure that you’ve entered your copyright info in your camera’s comment field. Some cameras even have a field specifically for copyright or author. With, for example, a Nikon D50, you can enter (c) your Name and E-mail. This way, you know that the information will be on every picture you take, and since it’s not something that’s visible like a regular watermark, and you can put it in your camera and forget about it.
Copyright
Copyright allows control over the way the original works can be used.
Who owns the copyright?
- The creator will be first owner of the rights. But if your in employment the owner maybe the employer.
How long does it last?
- Last 25-70 years following the death of creator
What is a License?
- A license is a document that specifies what can and cannot be done with a work.
- (whether sound, text, image or multimedia).
- It grants permissions and states restrictions.
- Broadly speaking, an open license is one which grants permission to access, re-use and redistribute a work with few or no restrictions.
What Licenses are available?
Open Licenses -:
Open licenses enable creators to allow more freedom in what others can do with their works. Benefits of this freedom include:
Open licenses enable creators to allow more freedom in what others can do with their works. Benefits of this freedom include:
- Allowing others to circulate the work freely – potentially giving it a greater circulation than if a single group or individual retained an exclusive right to distribute
- Not forcing users to apply for permission every time they wish to circulate a copy of the work in question – which can be a time consuming.
- Encouraging others to continuously improve and add value to a work.
- Encouraging others to create new works based on or derived from the original work – e.g. translations, adaptations, or works with a different scope or focus.
With a Creative Commons license, you keep your copyright but allow people to copy and distribute your work provided they give you credit — and only on the conditions you specify.
Attribution -:
This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation.
- This is the most accommodating of licenses offered.
- Recommended for maximum dissemination and use of licensed materials.
CCO (CC Zero) -:
CCO is not so much a license as it is a waiver. It is an attempt by the Creative Commons organization to improve upon its public domain dedication system by making it both more international-focused and rectify many of the challenges and problems that come up when trying to simply place a work on the public domain.
CCO is not so much a license as it is a waiver. It is an attempt by the Creative Commons organization to improve upon its public domain dedication system by making it both more international-focused and rectify many of the challenges and problems that come up when trying to simply place a work on the public domain.
- The idea is that, rather than licensing your work with certain terms and restrictions, you are instead waiving as many of your rights as possible, including all related rights (including moral rights).
- Though it isn’t the same as placing a work in the public domain, it would, theoretically, have much the same effect.
Non Commercial -:
- Publication of your image in a newspaper on the front page.
- Use of your photo in an individual’s blog post.
- Distribution of your image in a poster or flyer to announce a charitable event.
Non Derivatives -:
- You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.
ShareAlike -:
- If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one.
- Liability Insurance
http://photo.net/learn/insurance
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- Police “Stop and Search” power granted under the 2000 Terrorism act. This power is not granted to a Police Community Support Officer or Private Security staff!
- police were allowed to stop and search anyone without any suspicion of wrongdoing.
- Individual officers created the conditions for black and Asian people to be between five and seven times more likely to be stopped than their white counterparts.
- There were also ridiculous cases of children being subject to this anti-terror power.
For Photographers section 44 is very annoying, for they are stopped frequently on assignments photographing building or public events etc.
In this video below, you are able to see Photographers doing their work and constantly being harassed.
What campaigns exist against section 44?
There are such campaigns as:
- 'I'm a Photographer, Not a Terrorist'
What consequence did the Section have and what did the protest achieve?
•Protest achieved better coverage in the media and made photographers come forward to tell their story.
•This in return caused the Section to be found illegal in the European Court of Justice- causing embarrassment in public
•There has since been a “proposal“ to change Section 44
What changes have been made in the new Proposal for Section 44 in January 2011
•In some areas the Police is more vigilant then others e.g. London as it is a greater target for terrorism
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- CV, pitching and networking
What makes a good CV?
- Tailor to each type of job
- Headlines and Topics
- Typeface/Size
- Bullet Points clarity
- Order
- Be truthful!
- Spelling
- Picture
- Logo
- AIDA= Attention. Interest. Desire to Interview. Action to Secure the best new employe
Example of a GOOD CV
Example of a BAD CV
- Tips on how to write/improve a CV:
- Then bring your CV for the next session and actually write/improve it.
- Add first and improved version to folder
- Within this task look at tips for interviews and showing your portfolio to a potential employer. What are the key aspects to get right?
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-present-your-photographic-portfolio-and-get-photography-work
Apprentice: Final Pitch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eNzC2lyg60
Apprentice: CV session: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHHmOmZ4BC0
