Should I apply?

[gcppix]

I found a posting on a job board for a photographer for school pictures full-time. I was thinking of applying for the position for experience. What do you guys think? Anyone have insights on working for a company that does school pictures?

[sfaust]

Depending on what type of experience you are looking for, you may not find it there. School photography is pretty much an assembly line operation. You use the same lighting setups, backgrounds, procedures, etc, and then just run the cattle through. This type of photography you can learn on your own in a couple hours, then write it all down and could recreate it at will. After a week on the job, I'm not sure you would be learning much more.

With that said, if their photography is creative and changes often, and not just running students through the same light setup all day long... or you intend to go into the school photography business... you could get a lot more out of it.

What do you want to do, what do you want to learn??

[gcppix]

I'd like to get experience just in general. I've taken pictures of my boys at hockey, almost sold a cd to a parent but when I told her I would charge $25 she didn't call me back. I would definitely would like to have my own business but it's hard to crack. I'm a recruiter at the moment and it's not my thing.

I see what you are saying...not much to learn after a week on the job. I think it will be much better from an office job. It all depends on pay as well. I think I will apply anyway. I was just looking for input from anyone who may have had an experience working with a company like that.

I appreciate your comment, thank you!

[amfoto1]

Hi,

It's high volume, very fast paced, highly repetitive and relatively low pay. You've got 30 seconds to get each kid posed, smiling and take the shot... Then it's on to the next one.

So, you'll work hard, won't get rich, but it can be a darned good learning experience and "meat and potatoes" income type job. Basic lighting and posing skills can come in handy in many ways.

If hired, you will probably be asked to sign a non-disclose/non-compete agreement. It's pretty standard practice to require that, and it's to prevent you from learning the gig and then turning right around and going into direct competition with your employer. This doesn't prevent you from taking the business model and applying it elsewhere, if you wish.

[gcppix]

Thank you for your feedback and information! I think I will explore it and see...it's not like I'm making a lot of money right now. I might as well do something I enjoy...or will this make me dislike photography?

[amfoto1]

If your goal is to shoot professionally, as a career, better get used to the fact that some jobs just aren't all that exciting... you just need to inject your own excitement into them and hang in 'til it's completed.

[MisterPhoton]

If you are considering doing photography as your business and you have experience with sports, i would propose doing event photography. I hear of people making thousands on a weekend doing tournaments & competitions. The name I hear most and see on the web is 5minutephoto.com they have a complete software system that downloads the pictures and then presents them on viewing stations at the event. customers can create their own cart, just like shopping on the internet, and submit them for printing on-site or later. I have seen parents drop 10 bucks a picture at these events for pictures of their kids. Im not sure if it would work for school photography, but i bet its worth contacting them to find out.

Good luck!

Critter

I'm sensing a pattern here...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5783955&postcount=10

[Mum2J&M]

I personally think you should do it. I'm going to be 40 next month and I've just taken a job assisting with photography shoots of youth sports. I'm doing nothing yet but holding a diffuser and helping move stuff around and observing. But this has been an invaluable experience for me to see how it all goes down. I hope to be doing some of these shoots on my own in the fall. I'm feeling more confident the more I'm able to attend. It may not be Ansel Adams, but it does feel good to learn something I actually care about rather than something someone else is telling me to care about IMHO. And, yes, sometimes it's going to be a PITA, but all work can be. If it keeps you coming back, you know this is what you want to do.