freelance photography?

Question

I was wondering how to get into this field? Do I just go up to my local paper and tell them I was wanting to do some freelance photography?

Do they just send you out or tell you what to photograph? How does this work?

Thanks,
View my work at www.nvisualart.com

I am interested in this because I am looking for a way to get my name out and get some practice && work.

Answer 1

I just answered for you in your other question... but you might also consider contacting local schools and girls/boys organizations like Girl Scouts and such. Local papers love to put in kid-related news with great pictures.

Answer 2

I am assuming that you are a reasonably good photographer, as you would need to be.
Start taking photographs of events that you feel are very important and look around/ask around to find out which newspaper is not present, and go to that newspaper and offer your photographs.
When you have done this and sold a few photos you will start to get a reputation and it will be more easy to sell to papers, and you can even telephone them prior to an event, or during an event and be 'assigned'. After a while the papers will then start ringing you and 'assigning' you to jobs.

Answer 3

Befriend other photographers who are fairly successful in the field. Meaning, they already have contacts in magazines and newspapers.

Ask them to refer you to their contacts.

You may also want to talk to your old clients if they can refer you to other people who might be interested in getting you for their events.