Professional Practise Task 1 – Placement research:Part 1

My university course requires me to do a work placement, and our year were organised into six groups. Each group were given an area to investigate; the Arts, Education, Publishing, Commercial photography, photo labs, and non-photographic. I was placed into the commercial photography group, and below is the information we found.

What classes you as a commercial photographer?
•             Money can be paid for the photograph, or the subject in the photograph.
•             Work is not classed as art.
•             Organisations with a specific budget may employ a photographer.
•             Working to a time scale and specific brief.
•             Draws from and influences high art as well as popular culture.
•             Collaboration between the image maker and company/person setting the brief.
•             Combining business + creativity.
•             E.g. Nadav Kander worked with Take That

How to Find Commercial Photography Leads and Work:
If you are starting out in commercial photography, it can be difficult to get work and find clients. As a self-starter, most professional commercial photographers have had to overcome this first hurdle before they can become a success. Whatever role you would like to play in the field of commercial photography (freelancer, agency stock photographer or employee), there are a few tips that you can follow in order to find work and employment.

Materials Needed
•             Camera, preferably digital
•             A portfolio
•             A degree
•             A good eye
•             Attention to detail
•             A neat and tidy appearance

Collect a Portfolio
No client will take you seriously unless you have an extensive portfolio to present to them. You should gather together any previous work that you have done, plus any stock shots that you have taken, with a brief text explaining the purpose of the photo and any detail of the work involved. Some well-known photographers have entered the field by submitting their portfolios to magazines and famous photographers.

We found a list of agencies that commercial photographers can sign up to. It is a good idea to call the recruitment consultant at least once a week, because this will allow you to build a relationship with them. They’re much more likely to remember you this way, and will think of you when the next job comes in.
http://www.martinmedia.co.uk/
http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/st/jobs-photography.html
http://www.creativematch.com/directory/Recruitment/
http://www.monster.co.uk/
http://www.reed.co.uk/
http://www.creativerecruitment.co.uk/
http://www.nucreativetalent.co.uk/
www.formrecruitment.com/creative
www.impact-london.com/
www.redsofalondon.com/
www.majorplayers.co.uk
http://www.creativepool.co.uk/
www.ipswichrecruitmentagency.co.uk/
www.profilescreative.com/
www.polkadotfrog.co.uk/