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Professional Photogapher Career Q & A

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 Photographer’s background

How would you describe the type of photography you do?

I’m a Digital Tech and Photographer’s Assistant with a fairly extensive lighting and grip kit.  Most of the projects that I work on are people related.  The rest are product and architectural.  Much of what we do is education, finance and healthcare related.

How long have you been doing this type of photography?

Twenty years plus, wow has it really been that long.

What influenced you in deciding to become a photographer?

I like shooting and doing all of the technical things that it takes to bring a shoot together.  I’m a geek at heart I guess and enjoy making picture.

Why did you choose this type of photography?

That’s hard to say, I think sometimes it choose me.  I started out thinking that I was most interested in shooting product.  After working on product projects for a while and having people projects as well, I quickly started to gravitate to the people side of things.

Can you describe you career path up to this point?

I started in a small portrait and wedding studio in High School.  Then off to school at Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  After graduating I moved to Northern Virginia/DC area where I worked with Cameron Davidson.  Working with him was a great start to a career because of the high level of work and clients that we were involved with.  This is where I learned many of the production skills that I acquired.  After a few years of the madness in DC we decided to move back to Pittsburgh.  In the last 17 years in Pittsburgh there have been many changes to the industry, the greatest of which has been the shift to digital six years ago.  Nothing has been the same since.  My role has changed toward the Digital Tech and retouch side of the industry.

Do you have another job or source of income?

No, it’s all photography at this point.  When I was starting out I did carpentry to fill in the empty spaces, but that was just in the beginning.  I think if this is what you want to do you have to be fully committed to it.

What type of schooling do you have?

I have an Associates degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where I attended on a full scholarship.  Twenty years ago that was enough education I think but now I would say a four-year degree is a must.  It’s not a must so that you can learn to make pictures and do the work, but it’s a must so that you can learn to manage the business and all the things that are not photography.

What type of schooling would you recommend for someone entering this type of photography?

Get a good education in business and marketing.  Success in the business is more determined by these two things than anything else.

Are you happy doing what you do?

Most days are great.  Sometimes one comes along that isn’t but so what.  The next day will be different.

What do you like most about your career / job?

 

What do you dislike most about your job / career?

 

On average, how many hours do you work per week? 

There are long tough weeks and some that are not so bad.  50+ minimum and many weeks are over 70.  If you want 9-5 find a different job.

How much vacation did you take last year?

NONE.  Normally I take a week in the summer and then between Christmas and New Years.  If  a project comes up you wind up moving the schedule in many cases.

How many weekends did you work last year?

Ten or fifteen I guess.  That does not include the postproduction, Photoshop, preparation for the next job, organizing equipment and paper work.  If you count those, every weekend.  When you work for yourself you never get done.

Is your work seasonal at all? 

Not really.  Generally slows down around holidays but not always.

How many people do you usually work with on a typical job?

Two or three is typical for most projects but a crew of six to ten is not unusual.  What ever the project demands is what is there.  It’s a collaborative effort, it all comes down to the photographer for me as a Tech and Assistant.

What types of non-photography duties are you responsible for?

Everything!  When you work for yourself you do nearly everything.  I don’t do my taxes, that is for the accountant.  My wife, Janice handles most of the paperwork and finances.  If she didn’t I’d be sunk.

What characteristics / skills make you good for this type of photography?

Flexibility, organization and attention to detail are the main things.  It just has to be done right, too much is riding on the small stuff.

Describe your primary work environment.

Coal mine to boardroom about covers it I guess 

Do you do much traveling for your profession?

It really depends on the year.  Some years it seems that I’m on the road a lot.  I have seen a shift from me traveling out to assist, to me working for people traveling into the region.  I don’t miss it, loading a dozen case through the airport and finding missing and damaged bags is not the most enjoyable thing to do.  Now I see more shooters coming into the region and renting equipment that in past years they would have been carrying with them.

In terms of post-production for digital files the world is getting smaller.  I can work on files for an out of town photographer and return the finished files via the internet and ftp servers.  So in this case it does not matter where you are.  I’m starting to see more of that happening.  It’s the virtual commute.

If you didn’t do this type of photography, what other type of photography would you prefer to do?

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Competition / $

Is your market local, or national?

Mostly local at this point.  I’m looking to expand to a more national market.  The internet opens up some interesting potential.

How many people in your town do what you do?

Digital Tech, I’m the only freelance one.  Assisting, around 8 or so depending on who you count. 

Who is, or how would you describe your target markets?

Smaller studios and shooters who don’t want to take the time and money to in

To what do you attribute your success?

Hard work and good fortune.

What would you say is the biggest mistake most photographers make in your type of business?

Disorganization and bad marketing (or no marketing).

What would you estimate as an income range for the type of photography you do?

Hard to say.  When you are starting out it’s not great but over time you do better.  With the addition of the Tech work it grew quite a bit.

What would you estimate as the average income for the type of photography you do?

I really don’t have a clue what the average would be.  Depends on how busy you are and who you work for.

What do you think of the future of your profession?

Good question, wish I knew.  The industry is in such a state of flux due to technology changes and stock photography growing in volume (not in dollars or quality) I wonder about this regularly.

Would you recommend a career in photography to your friend or child?  Why?

No.  I think given the demands of the industry and the changes that are happening it’s an uncertain prospect.

Is there any specific advice you would give to someone entering into your field? 

Make sure this is what you want to do.  Internships are great for seeing the business close-up.  If it is for you then great. 

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Continuing Education

What do you do to advance your skills?

Photoshop classes, books, articles and tutorials.

What industry publications do you subscribe to?

none

What on-line forums do you frequent?

Luminous Landscape

Do you intend to continue your education in some way?

 

What trade shows / seminars have you attended or plan on attending?

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Hobby questions 

Who has time for hobbies?  I wish I did sometimes.  I do pursue some personal projects with some personal cameras and lenses.  One of my favorites has been the Whatsitcam™ that is a digital version of a Holga, lots of fun.

What’s type of cameras do you use most?

Nikon and Hasselblad (with digital back)

What type of computer do you use most?

All Mac.  Once you go Mac you never go back.

Does most or your work involve available light, on-camera flash, studio strobe, or hot lights?

It’s a real mix.

What type of computer software are you proficient with?

Photoshop, Flexcolor, Phocus, Capture One, PhotoMechanic

Are there any photographers in your field that you particularly admire?

Mark Tucker is one of my favorites.

www.alexrjones.com

www.alexjonesphotography.com

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