Regional Newspaper...

[Steve Parr]

About two weeks ago, I wrote to the Editors of some small, regional weekly newspapers about doing photography for them.

I received a response back from one of them today, and she seemed interested. I wouldn't be "assigned" anything to shoot initially, but that would come later.

She said that they pay the princely sum of ten dollars for every photograph they publish.

Now, I'm not looking at paying the mortgage with money from a small town newspaper, so the money's not a big deal. I'm looking at it more from the persepctive of my resume and portfolio.

But I had to wonder: Is ten bucks reasonable for this kind of thing?

Thanks...

Steve

[tim]

I'd do it for the fun, $10 is almost an insult IMHO, but it will give you a change to prove yourself which is very valuable.

[jimtfoto]

Steve:
$10 per pic may sound like an insult, but most regional newspapers don't have the big budgets of larger newspapers (hell, even some large newspapers don't have the budgets of large newspapers. Believe me, I work for one). Some regionals also rely on reader-contributed (read that, free) pictures. Since you're not on exclusive contract with one, accept the cash, offer your pix to other regionals as well, and keep adding to your portfolio. There's always the chance also that regionals are owned by a chain and the pictures might be shared with other members.

cheers,
jim

[Photodawg1]

I have been shooting for a local paper for a few years now and that is what I got paid, well 10 per "event" that could be 1 to 7 or 8 shots...That was mostly done with FILM and I spent way more than that, but the experience and exposure has been priceless...
Linda

[Steve Parr]

Thanks for the comments.

I'm certainly interested in doing it. Like I said, the money isn't the biggest interest here, and I realize they probably don't have a NY Times-like budget...

Steve

[WeCamps Photography]

I have done a little 'free'lance (pun intended??) in my early days and made very little money at all at it.
I once recieved only a $50.00 check for a one and a half hour event and 15 miles of travel to get there, but gladly accepted it and smiled with a wide grin when the images I took were published and viewed by the masses (a state-wide paper).

I agree with Steve.....
I'm looking at it more from the persepctive of my resume and portfolio.
Thanks...
Steve

When you show prospective clients your by-line under YOUR image(s) in a published work (and YES, even a small newspaper) they do get impressed and I think that to be your value in doing images without expecting large returns......... at least in the beginning IMHO