What questions to ask in a meeting setting up freelance newspaper work?

[dolfinack]

Hey guys, could you help with a casual meeting I have coming up with someone who'll be starting a newspaper in my city. The paper would be a small/medium-sized affair from what I gather.

The editor wants to meet to go over a few details and I'd like to have a list of talking points ready for her.

As this would be my first freelancing move, I would be deeply appreciative if you could suggest some of the pertinent points you would raise during the meeting. ie working arrangements / contract / terms of employment / pay / hours of working etc.

Anything that you think I should clear up in advance to get off on the right foot really.

Thanks a lot folks

David

[ruchad1]

I would be deeply appreciative if you could suggest some of the pertinent points you would raise during the meeting. ie working arrangements / contract / terms of employment / pay / hours of working etc.



well, as i work for a paper (Stringer) you really are at their mercy. They have, well, a bunch of people trying to do your job for free. Moms with P&S.

[amfoto1]

First of all, I see you are in Ireland and things may be a bit different there, than they are here in the US... I'll make some observations, but keep in mind that they are based upon the US market where I worked at newspapers for 21 years. Laws pertaining to "work for hire" and such may be quite different there, for example.

If you become employed as a staff photographer (your mention of hours implies that), then generally speaking you will not own the copyright to any images you make on their time (this may differ in Ireland, but I'd be surprised if it did). And, you should look carefully at what an employment contract allows you to do even on your own time, there may be non-compete clauses that mean you are limited working with other media. As a staff person, you'd likely be entitled to benefits, vacation, etc.

A freelancer would not have set hours (or benefits or vacations), might be in an "on call" sort of arrangement whenever and wherever there is some breaking news story, which essentially could be 24/7/365. That's if you manage to become one of their "go to" people. Part of this might be compensation for travel expenses. But it also might not be.

Usually that sort of arrangement here in the U.S. would mean a freelance contract agreement, which might mean higher per image pay, but that's in exchange for the newspaper getting all rights to the photos (work for hire, etc.), or at least enough to insure they have exclusivity and are in a position to resell your images on via the wire services.

Otherwise you may be chasing the stories on your own, bringing in the photos to sell to them. The main thing here is to figure out a way to coordinate, so you aren't overlapping with other freelancers or any staff photogs who are out chasing the same story (unless it's a big one that more than one photog might cover).

You'll need to show a strong portfolio of 12 to 30 images representative of your work that "tell a story" well. They should be "front page" material, if at all possible.

A lot of papers now look for photographers who can write stories as well, or reporters who can take photos.

Yes, papers are strongly appealing to their readers to send in photos... Which serves two purposes: It is free "content" to borrow an Internet term, and it's done in hopes of creating interaction with their readers, heightening interest and involvement. At the rate newspapers are losing subscribers, they need to do all they can.

Other key competition for a freelancer is the newspaper's own staff photographers (if any),and of course any other freelancers in the area. Papers also use news services like AP, and many that are parts of chains share stories and photos amongst themselves. An employment contract is likely to include terminology allowing them to do these things.

Stock photography is being used more and more in newspapers, too. Look for images with a Getty, iStock, etc. credit line. That's also money that freelancers aren't getting paid.

On the bright side, papers are turning more and more to freelancers and reducing their staff positions to minimal numbers. So, going in and offering your services freelance you stand a better chance of getting work, than if you were seeking a staff position.

I really don't have any points of reference for your part of the world, to suggest what might be going prices for freelance images. There will likely be some variation, depending upon how prominently the image is used (size and location in the newspaper), as well as the impact of the story and how well your images convey it. The newspaper might have an established payment schedule and strict policy regarding what they'll pay. Or, they might be more flexible.

Frankly, with the current trends in the newspaper industry worldwide, I'm more than a little surprised to hear of anyone starting one up from scratch at this time. A general circulation newspaper is an expensive thing to set up... It's far, far cheaper to start a website, or even a television or radio station from scratch.

There may be unions involved in the newspaper, too. Those might to some degree govern what, where and when you can do work on behalf of the newspaper, even as an independent freelancer. Tread lightly with any questions about this, though, some newspaper management is pretty sensitive to the topic. One way to handle it is to simply ask if there are any restrictions on what, where and when you can shoot, that you need to be aware of in advance, and leave it at that.

[dolfinack]

Thanks Alan for all that insight. I too was suprised by the new start-up, but if they're throwing some cash around they may as well chuck a little my way! I'm intrigued to say the least about the kind of work I might get. Cheers again.

[dolfinack]

Any more suggestions greatly welcomed!

[Jon Foster]

I'm interested to hear about your meeting. Let us know what came of it...

Jon.

[dolfinack]

I would gladly... but she hasn't got back to me yet! She did say she'd call to arrange a meeting, but at the same time I appreciate that starting up a new newspaper would make for one very busy person indeed. I'm prepared for the possibility that she might have found a full-time pro, or has already lined up her freelancers, as much as it would bum me out :(

[dolfinack]

Hello can I be rude and give this a little bump and ask for some more advice re: my original post?? My meeting is now arranged for Monday afternoon, so i'd like to be as ready as possible.

Picture the scene: you're an aspiring amateur photographer passionate about the subject, and are dying to impress to get your first newspaper job, albeit it part-time/freelance. What would you have in your head going into the meeting? What would you know and what would you ask for? What info about the work would you absolutely need to come out of the meeting having gleamed?

Many many thanks to all those that take the time to read and help! :o

David

[PhotosGuy]

What would you have in your head going into the meeting? Make a list from amfoto1's post. The editor doesn't care what you want. The most important thing to him/her is: "You'll need to show a strong portfolio of 12 to 30 images representative of your work that "tell a story" well. They should be "front page" material, if at all possible."
So start with this:
"Hi,
As I said on the phone, I'm interested in expanding my horizons by stringing for the news media. Here's a sample of my work."
SHUT UP! But do answer questions.
(I'm assuming that each shot has a slip of paper attached to the bottom that gives the WWWWW, (Who, What, When, Where & Why?) of the situation, along with other pertinent info.)

This isn't the editors first trip to the rodeo. If there's interest, they'll tell you what you want to know.

[dolfinack]

ok for those who were kind enough to advise me on this matter, here we go. Met the editor and am now feeling a little sick, in a good and nervous way. She offered me a full-time job as the newspapers photographer. It would be 40 hours a week on a meagre/acceptable wage to begin with, rising to more decent pay when things pick up.

I'm more than a little blown away by this as you might imagine. Its a foot in the door of a career i've been dreaming of for years now, even if it is only taking photos of local community events. They'll be my photos, in my newspaper. So there is it. I'm going to start a new thread here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6837101#post6837101)to ask for more specific advice on gear and working for the paper etc. Assuming I take the job that is. Got a day or two to de-swell my head and think about it. It's an oppotunity alright....

Cheers guys

David

[PhotosGuy]

In your place, I'd take it. If it doesn't work out, it's always easier to find a better job when you already have one?
Good luck!