BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Patrice Bergeron #37, Tyler Seguin #19, and Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrate following Bergeron’s game-winning overtime goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
The playoffs, in any sport, are always a time for immense drama and emotion. Game 7′s of the NHL Playoffs are no different. But many times they’re hyped up and fizzle out. Much was the case halfway through the third period of the Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at TD Garden.
The Leafs were up 4-1, fans were starting to trickle out of the building, and I thought I was going to be focusing all of my attention on the Red Sox. Part of me thought, this team has come back and scored two goals with the goalie pulled before earlier in the season, against the New York Rangers. Why couldn’t they do it again? At the same time, I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
Following a goal by Nathan Horton, the Bruins were still down by two goals with not a whole lot of time left. Then Lucic scores one with the goalie pulled. Could they do it again, tie it up, and send this game into overtime? As I’m sure you’ve all seen, Patrice Bergeron scored the game-tying goal and won the game for the Bruins in overtime.
That is what a game 7 is supposed to be like. Movie-like with the all of the dramatics of the Stanley Cup playoffs with an unbelievable atmosphere and great reaction from all involved. This will without a doubt, go down as one of the most memorable games of my career.
Here are some of my favorite images from the game…
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins hits Cody Franson #4 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in front of the Bruins bench in the first period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates after scoring a goal in the third period against the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: A Boston Bruins fan dressed up in a suit made of towels cheers during the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins and Nazem Kadri #43 of the Toronto Maple Leafs collide in the third period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Zdeno Chara #33 and Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins celebrate in front of James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs after Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins scored the game-tying goal in the third period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring the game-tying goal in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: A member of the ice crew sweeps up towels thrown onto the ice following the game-tying goal in the third period by Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Patrice Bergeron #37 and Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins celebrate following Bergeron’s game-winning overtime goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Nikolai Kulemin #41, Jay McClement #11, and other members of the Toronto Maple Leafs stand on the bench after losing in overtime to the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Members of the Boston Bruins including Patrice Bergeron #37 and Daniel Paille #20 raise their sticks to the fans following their overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Now that things have calmed down here in Boston following my eight days of helping out the news team on the Boston Marathon bombing coverage, I’ll put up some images from the last couple of weeks that include some new ideas, taking some chances, and a lot of light chasing!
Enjoy…
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 19: Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis speaks during a media briefing in the parking lot of the Watertown Mall on April 19, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. Earlier, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed late Thursday night at the school’s campus in Cambridge. A short time later, police reported exchanging gunfire with alleged carjackers in Watertown, a city near Cambridge. It’s not clear whether the shootings are related or whether either are related to the Boston Marathon bombing. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
CAMBRIDGE, MA – APRIL 19: Residents are evacuated as members of the FBI, State Police, Boston Police, Cambridge Police, and other law enforcement agencies, survey the perimeter on April 19, 2013 near the home of suspect #2 on Norfolk Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Earlier, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed late Thursday night at the school’s campus in Cambridge. A short time later, police reported exchanging gunfire with alleged carjackers in Watertown, a city near Cambridge. It’s not clear whether the shootings are related or whether either are related to the Boston Marathon bombing. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 19: A woman reacts while being questioned by the Cambridge Police and other law enforcement agencies on April 19, 2013 near the home of suspect #2 on Norfolk Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Earlier, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed late Thursday night at the school’s campus in Cambridge. A short time later, police reported exchanging gunfire with alleged carjackers in Watertown, a city near Cambridge. It’s not clear whether the shootings are related or whether either are related to the Boston Marathon bombing. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 19: Members of the FBI, State Police, Boston Police, Cambridge Police, and other law enforcement agencies, survey the perimeter on April 19, 2013 near the home of suspect #2 on Norfolk Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Earlier, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed late Thursday night at the school’s campus in Cambridge. A short time later, police reported exchanging gunfire with alleged carjackers in Watertown, a city near Cambridge. It’s not clear whether the shootings are related or whether either are related to the Boston Marathon bombing. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 19: A member of the North Metro SWAT team raises his fist while leaving the scene near Franklin Street on April 19, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. After a car chase and shootout with police, one suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was shot and killed by police early morning April 19, and a manhunt is underway for his brother and second suspect, 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. The two men are suspects in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15 that killed three people and wounded at least 170. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 19: Two police officers share a laugh while securing the area around Franklin Street on April 19, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. After a car chase and shootout with police, one suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was shot and killed by police early morning April 19, and a manhunt is underway for his brother and second suspect, 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. The two men are suspects in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15 that killed three people and wounded at least 170. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 22: An American flag sits atop the Franklin Street sign while many different members of law enforcement investigate the scene on April 22, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. A manhunt for Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing ended after he was apprehended on a boat parked on a residential property in Watertown, Massachusetts. His brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, the other suspect, was shot and killed after a car chase and shootout with police. The bombing, on April 15 at the finish line of the marathon, killed three people and wounded at least 170.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 19: Spectators clap and cheer while law enforcement was leaving the scene near Franklin Street on April 19, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. After a car chase and shootout with police, one suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was shot and killed by police early morning April 19, and a manhunt is underway for his brother and second suspect, 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. The two men are suspects in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15 that killed three people and wounded at least 170. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 22: Andrew Belli, 30, Pastoral Assistant of the Redeemer Fellowship Church, rings the bell in the steeple at 2:51pm following the moment of silence on the one week anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on April 22, 2013 at the Redeemer Fellowship Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. A manhunt for Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing ended after he was apprehended on a boat parked on a residential property in Watertown, Massachusetts. His brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, the other suspect, was shot and killed after a car chase and shootout with police. The bombing, on April 15 at the finish line of the marathon, killed three people and wounded at least 170.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 20: Watertown Police officer Brandon O’Neill, touches the head of a young boy during a candlelight vigil at Victory Park on April 20, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. A manhunt for Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing ended after he was apprehended on a boat parked on a residential property in Watertown, Massachusetts. His brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, the other suspect, was shot and killed after a car chase and shootout with police. The bombing, on April 15 at the finish line of the marathon, killed three people and wounded at least 170.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 20: Watertown Police officer Brandon O’Neill stands and listens to a pastor’s words during a candlelight vigil at Victory Park on April 20, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. A manhunt for Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing ended after he was apprehended on a boat parked on a residential property in Watertown, Massachusetts. His brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, the other suspect, was shot and killed after a car chase and shootout with police. The bombing, on April 15 at the finish line of the marathon, killed three people and wounded at least 170.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
WATERTOWN, MA – APRIL 20: Residents of Watertown stand during a moment of silence during a candlelight vigil at Victory Park on April 20, 2013 in Watertown, Massachusetts. A manhunt for Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing ended after he was apprehended on a boat parked on a residential property in Watertown, Massachusetts. His brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, the other suspect, was shot and killed after a car chase and shootout with police. The bombing, on April 15 at the finish line of the marathon, killed three people and wounded at least 170.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 16: A young boy holds a lit candle and an American flag atop his father’s shoulders during a vigil for eight-year-old Martin Richard, from Dorchester, who was killed by an explosion near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 16, 2013 at Garvey Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The twin bombings resulted in the deaths of three people and hospitalized at least 128. The bombings at the 116-year-old Boston race resulted in heightened security across the nation with cancellations of many professional sporting events as authorities search for a motive to the violence. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 16: People gather and light candles during a vigil for eight-year-old Martin Richard, from Dorchester, who was killed by an explosion near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 16, 2013 at Garvey Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The twin bombings resulted in the deaths of three people and hospitalized at least 128. The bombings at the 116-year-old Boston race resulted in heightened security across the nation with cancellations of many professional sporting events as authorities search for a motive to the violence. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
STONEHAM, MA – APRIL 23: A Somerville Police officer salutes as he walks past the hearse carrying the casket of the slain MIT police officer, Sean Collier, following the funeral at St Patrick’s Church on April 23, 2013 in Stoneham, Massachusetts. A manhunt for Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing ended after he was apprehended on a boat parked on a residential property in Watertown, Massachusetts. His brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, the other suspect, was shot and killed after a car chase and shootout with police. The bombing, on April 15 at the finish line of the marathon, killed three people and wounded at least 170.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Iman Shumpert #21 of the New York Knicks fights for possession of the loose ball with Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Jason Terry #4 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against the New York Knicks in overtime during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: A young fan receives the game-worn pair of shoes from Jason Terry #4 of the Boston Celtics following their overtime win against the New York Knicks during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Raymond Felton #2 of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a three-point shot to end the third quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball in front of Jason Kidd #5 of the New York Knicks during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Erik Condra #22 of the Ottawa Senators is midair after being hit by Johnny Boychuk #55 of the Boston Bruins during the game on April 28, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 24: Andrew Bailey #40 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out the side to end the game and win 6-5 against the Oakland Athletics in the ninth inning during the game on April 24, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 24: Andy Parrino #12 of the Oakland Athletics throws to first base against the Boston Red Sox during the game on April 24, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 24: Chris Young #25 of the Oakland Athletics trots around second base after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning off of Jon Lester #31 of the Boston Red Sox during the game on April 24, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 14: John McDonald #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates tosses to second base against the Cincinnati Reds during the game on April 14, 2013 at Fenway Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 14: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates stands in the on deck circle during the game against the Cincinnati Reds on April 14, 2013 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 14: Pedro Alvarez #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates stands in the on deck circle during the game against the Cincinnati Reds on April 14, 2013 at Fenway Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
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Sports
Monday, March 26th 2012
by Jared Wickerham
In Alexander Radulov’s first game back to the NHL in four years, I was asked to cover the game at Consol Energy Center against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Radulov, who left the NHL after the 2007-2008 season to play in his home country of Russia in the KHL. After his team, Salavat Yulayev Ufa, was knocked out of the playoffs, Alexander Radulov returned to the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2004 NHL draft.
Here are my images of the guy I’m sure many Predator’s fans are happy to see back in an NHL uniform. The entire gallery of images from the game can be seen on my archive: http://archive.wickphotography.com/
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time in the NHL in four years during the game on March 22, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time in the NHL in four years during the game on March 22, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time in the NHL in four years during the game on March 22, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time in the NHL in four years during the game on March 22, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time in the NHL in four years during the game on March 22, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Nashville Predators waits on the bench in front of head coach Barry Trotz against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time in the NHL in four years during the game on March 22, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates after scoring his first goal of the season against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time in the NHL in four years during the game on March 22, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Millions of people are photographers. Thousands have staff positions. And a growing number in this economy, including myself, are becoming freelance photographers.
Freelance photography is a two-part profession. The obvious part is the photo making part. The other half is where that same photographer must also become a businessperson who can successfully market themselves and their work.
There have been a lot of people who have talked or written about what it takes to be a successful freelance photographer. There is no right or wrong path as this is all still fairly new to everyone, including myself, but there are certainly things that have found proven to work. We all have our own personal experiences so I’m here to offer my own along with advice that I hope can help those starting out.
To give everyone reading a short back-story on myself and my experience, I’m an (almost) 23 year-old who specializes in covering sports in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. I’m a fairly recent graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. During my time in college, I was blessed with certain opportunities that I took advantage of including internships with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa) newspaper, and Getty Images in New York City. I now freelance full time for many clients including Getty Images and The New York Times.
When I first moved to Pittsburgh to pursue my degree in photojournalism, I started a job at a local restaurant cleaning dishes. Although this famous local chain paid fairly well, I couldn’t handle having a “normal” job doing something I didn’t love. After three days, I quit, and from there on out I knew that I would have to really hustle and work hard to pay the bills with my photographs. But in my mind, there were no other options and nothing else to fall back on. I essentially told myself that I would not work retail or in the food industry like the rest of my friends.
I also knew that starting out, assignments would not pay a lot and be few and far between since I had yet to establish myself. Since I was in college, I didn’t have a ton of bills to pay, which was the perfect way for me to start out. My photography would just be paying for my food and transportation. But I knew that six months after graduation, my mailbox would be full of letters demanding money from some woman named Sallie Mae (on top of rent, car payment, insurance, utilities, etc).
After becoming a SportsShooter.com member and regularly posting images from recent local high school and college sporting events, I received a phone call from an editor at ESPN. He told me that he found me via my updates on SportsShooter and asked if I would cover local high school football star, Terrelle Pryor, on National Signing Day. That phone call, three months into college, made me the happiest (and most nervous!) I had ever been! I have never prepared more for an assignment more in my entire life than I did for this. Even though it was just a press conference, I was going to have it covered from every angle. This was my first taste of the real world. I was hooked and I wanted more.
I see a lot of photography students only begin to take themselves seriously upon graduation. If you don’t take yourself and your work seriously, then why should an editor? The key to me not having to work a regular 9-5 job is because I started marketing myself while still in college. It takes time to make that transition to full time freelance. You can’t just wake up, quit your job, move to a city, and assume that you’re all of a sudden going to get a ton of freelance work. It takes time – so don’t get frustrated when you’re not immediately bombarded with assignments. The reason I’m able to pay my bills with pictures is because of years of relationship building and networking. And I don’t just mean just with established professional photographers either. Some of my best assignments (including one tonight as I write this) have come from other fellow recent photography graduates in the area who have another assignment that they’re already covering. The same goes for me if I am already booked on an assignment. That trust that they have in me to make the client happy and complete the assignment successfully is the reason that they call me. If I show up late or don’t produce images to the client’s expectations, it’s ultimately the photographer who referred me who looks bad. And they will most likely never receive assignments from that client, nor help me out, ever again.
I first created my photography website my senior year in high school. I also made sure to have business cards my first quarter at college (albeit poorly designed by my graphic designer roommate). Nonetheless, they had my information and a way to contact me. It was that lame website and poorly designed business card that I now have the amazing mentor that I do in Al Bello over at Getty Images. It’s the little things in your images that set you apart from the photographer next to you. The same goes when marketing yourself and looking for work.
Just because you specialize as a photojournalist doesn’t mean you can’t cover the occasional wedding or event either. I may cover primarily sporting events but in the past week I’ve covered just as many events as games. You’ll learn after your first year as a freelancer, which months are the slowest and where you need to work a little harder on picking up assignments. Those events earlier in the year can help get you through those months by putting aside some money for rent in case the work just isn’t coming in.
And finally, this may be cliché but it couldn’t be more true in the freelance world – what you put into it is a direct result of what you get in return. You are your own boss so you need to be independent and self-motivated enough to set aside time every day to email prospective clients, network with other professionals, and work on your portfolio. At the same time you have a hundred other bosses that you must make sure are happy with the quality of your work as well. Don’t be afraid to be a go-getter, put yourself out there and take some risks. Be patient and don’t get discouraged too quickly. There is plenty of work out there if you know where to find it and are willing to work hard enough to get it.
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