Hello!
I thought I would share some of my freelance experiences with you. I know many women, especially moms, would like to know how to get started in the freelance world. I am currently a freelance photographer and have done some freelance writing in the past. First, let me start out by saying I could not make a living doing the freelance work that I currently do. Luckily, my spouse is gainfully employed-so my earnings usually go towards clothes for the kids, vacations and savings.
I sort of stumbled upon my freelance photographer job. I had taken some photos at a local farmer’s market and thought they were pretty good. I contacted a local newspaper, via email, and told them if they were planning on running any farmer’s market stories; I had some photos they might like to use. The editor of the paper got back to me and asked me to forward the photos to him. He said he would review them and if he liked them, he might be able to get me some freelance work. Say What?! I was in shock! I was just a SAHM, with a point & click camera, not a professional photographer! I quickly forwarded the photos to him…and then I waited…and waited. After one week, I had just about given up hope of hearing back from him. “I guess the pics weren’t that great”, I remember thinking to myself.
I decided to email him again, asking if he had a chance to review the photos. He got back to me and said he had not, but he would. So I waited some more. Another week went by, nothing. “Ok, this will be my last email to him”, I said to myself, as I mustered up the courage to send him yet another email. This time I asked him what he thought of the pics, told him no one had ever critiqued my pics before and I just wanted to know what I could do to improve them. Within a couple of days, I received an email from him. He said he liked my pics and said there was a city council meeting he wanted me to attend and photograph for the paper! Say What?! Are you serious?! Woo-Hoo! And just like that, I became a “Freelance Photographer”! I did that first assignment with my little “point & click” camera! I was so nervous, I still get nervous every time I am sent out on assignment.
I bought a “real camera” and have been happily clicking away ever since…that was one year ago this month. The pay is nothing to brag about, I receive $30 for the first shot the paper prints and $5 for every shot thereafter, for the same article. So an article with three published pics, gets me $40. Some weeks I get 2-3 assignments, some weeks none. I really enjoy taking photos and meeting people I would otherwise never interact with, like the mayor! 😉
I also did some freelance writing for a few months. I stumbled upon that gig also! A Facebook friend (whom I have never met) posted on her page that her niece was looking for freelance writers. Since I love to write, I told her I was interested. She hooked me up with her niece. Turns out her niece works with an up & coming musical artist that has his own website. His website has articles about other musicians, hip-hop clothing, etc. He would assign topics for me to write about, usually other artists and/or a specific clothing line and I would write about them. I would have to research the topic and then write a 350 word article. It usually took me about 45 mins. – 1 hr. to finish a post. The pay was very low…very low! After awhile, I told him I just could not do it anymore. My time is worth more than what he was able to pay me. It was a great learning experience for me. I still follow his career and we still chat via FB. If he ever needed me to write for him again, I would…for the right price, of course! 😉
What do you like to do? What is your passion? Contact people that are working in the fields you want to work in, send them an email. Ask if they are hiring. Tell your friends to keep their eyes and ears open and to let you know if they hear anything. Just remember that you must value your work, before anyone else will.
I want to continue to take photos and learn as much as I can about photography. I also want to do some more freelance writing. So keep our eyes and ears open for me! 😉
