Should I apply for news photog job?

Question

My local paper (small town, circulation est. 10,000, area population est. 50,000+) is advertising for a weekend photographer. Yes, I work during the week, but I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on what it would be like to be a weekend warrior. The ad stipulates that knowledge of digital photography is mandatory, but I think I've got that knocked - at least to the level required for their publication. I've already been published in the paper enough times that I've lost count so I know how to edit and submit to their standards.

I imagine the job would involve covering some local sports (no professional teams), festivals and events, and the occasional fire or accident, just based on what I see running already.

The geopgraphic area would not have me on the road at all as their circulation area could be circumscribed within a cirlce of about a 20 mile radius.

You know the demands of the job, so talk to me.........

SIDEBAR: I admit that PART of the attraction is that there is a brand new race track (auto) under construction 12 miles from home. It will be for SCCA and club events for a few years, but I am picturing how nice that press pass would be at times.

I've worked as a musician in a party band (weddings, etc.) and I know what it's like to see people out there who are not expecting to see their dentist in an alternate role. I also know what it's like to work with "the public" when they treat you like a servant instead of the educated person that you are. ...just in case you want to warn me about those aspects of this idea.

Of course, my wife would play a major role in my decision. Is it accepted practice to have an assistant accompany a photographer on jobs with restricted access, like a race, for instance, or is that pushing it too far?

Antoni, I don't have a portfolio as such, but as I say, I've submitted photos before for publication. Some were novelty shots and some were just newsworthy events where I noticed they were not able to send a photographer. I never asked for money, but just sent to shot in as a favor. I know the publisher (formally anyhow) and the editor (personally) and a few of their current photographers. If they insist on a degree in photography or a portfolio, that's the end of the road for me. I know the (lack of) prior experience of some of their photographers, so that would not be a problem. If they want a portfolio, I'll send them to my Flickr site or refer them to my previously published shots. (haha)

Pali, I am not worried about becoming well-known. As I said, this is a small town where I was born and I have lived for 56 years. I have a degree of notoriety in town already due to appearing as a musician in a local band (in a recently departed life...), serving on local boards and committees, etc. My plus would be that I actually already KNOW most of the people I would be photographing and wouldn't have to ask how to spell their name. :-)

Poppa - since my kids are grown and out, family time is less of a concern, but I appreciate your thoughts. I do still have my wife to consider and that's the main reason I mentioned taking her with me. We can hit the events and run. An assignment would be a good excuse to check things out and "another assignment" would be a good excuse to leave early if the event was not so hot.

Antoni - I did a couple of weddings YEARS AND YEARS ago as a gift to the bride and groom who could not afford a proper photographer any more than I could afford a proper gift. I found that I ended up practically serving as the wedding planner as nobody had a clue what to do next. I walked them through the obligatory stages of a reception under the guise of "setting up the next picture." Photographer AND wedding organizer. I'm building quite a resume for my job app already.

Well, I talked to my friend the editor about this position and he said "FORGET IT! You would be a piece of meat." That certainly is not my intention as I would do it only for fun. As d5 put it - a weekend fling. I have no intention of leaving my career and I also don't want to ruin my love of photography, so I have decided to let this "opportunity" pass on to someone else. I appreciate everyone's input and I will give the points to d5 for adding the perspective that I ought to leave this opening as a way for a younger person who wants a career in photography to get their foot in the door. I had not considered that I might be depriving someone of their new career.

Answer 1

I notice that you are a dentist if I read all your material correctly.I am wondering why you might be considering taking a weekend photography for your small town newspaper. If you are thinking of making a career change, I can understand it, but if this is just a weekend fling for you, you are not going to like this answer.

There are many young people out there who would love to start a career in photography and a small town newspaper is a good place to start. This kind of a job does not require college or experience, only a talent for making a good photograph when needed.

If you are not considering a career change, my opinion is that you will leave this job to be filled by a talented young starting photographer, and stick to your own stable and relatively well paying profession.

I have owned a relatively successful commercial photography studio in the Cleveland, Ohio area for over 40 years. It is a difficult profession to start out in. If you do not want to make it your profession, don't deprive someone who wants to devote their life to photography out of a job opportunity just because you feel that a weekend part time job would be an ego trip.

Answer 2

Firstly this is not my area

do they want a portfollio?

getting the wife places would be a struggle i think.

If you can do it time wise, with your practice go dor it,

I expect they are looking for a freelancer or someone with more of a "track record", dont let that stop you

Go for it Doctor Sam and make us all proud!

sorry all i got, lets hope the others jump in

a

EDIT: Had to add, i dont do it, have done simalar, as far as a walk in the park goes i dont think so, oh you will be to busy to enjoy the cars speeding by

people think shoting weddings is a walk in the park I find them very hard work


2ND EDit:

I think with your charm, contacts and ability you would be a great asset to them!!

Weddings are pacey enough for you go for it!!

Cant wait to find out now, forget the wife i will carry your bags and tend your needs.

I just worry about you balancing family/practice etc.

ability your up to it. and you have us to tell you, the "best camera" if you have problems

Answer 3

If this is something you would like to do then just apply for the position but I have done this in the past a long time ago and sometimes the "Cons" out weigh the "Pros". You have to also consider that you will be obligated on your weekends and sometimes that can interfere with your "personnel" time.

As for the degree in photography don't worry about that one.. but you will have to prove that you can shoot (you mentioned you have in the past sent stuff to them). In the mean time you could work on the portfolio to show them.

Good luck,
Kevin

Answer 4

fine. good idea. your social contacts graph will jump. every man will want u to take his photo. are u dentist? does not matter. this will be a pic nick at the week ends. yes take your wife along, and give her a camera /teach her, u can exchange photographs. choose the better one. this job is worth trying. do it for as long as u can manage (some times without your wife). u can always explain to friends that this is only a week end job for the thrill of it. small town, small social circle, u can become well known. u can gradually give up this new job and start photo studio at week ends/professional photographer to cover functions etc to make extra money. good luck. happy shooting

Answer 5

What do you want another job for? You already have a profession, right? I've talked to people in that line of work. The newspaper will own you! Forget having nights, weekends or holidays to yourself. And you'd probably end up hating photography, because they'll make it a chore for you.

Leave it for someone hungry for work.

Answer 6

I work on the weekends freelance. My only probem with it is time away from my family (which is my other great love). Other than that....go for it!