Taking a Risk

[toyguru]

I know that there is a lot that I don't know, but there is also there is a lot that I know I can do. There is a small local newspaper that has an opening for a photographer in my area and there are some requirements that I do not have.

I do have a portfolio that I can submit, but there is no photography formal experience in my resume. As a matter of fact it's mostly (EEK!!) retail management and training experience!! I know that this is just a shot in the dark and I keep thinking if I don't at least submit an application I will keep thinking "What if?!".

My questions to the pros are 1) should I even waste my time and their time in submitting a resume, 2) is there any advise that you can give me if I do muster the courage to apply, and 3) what am I going to expect in this type of interview.

Photography has been an intense hobby of mine for years. I'm not saying that I have a lot of experinece, but I've been "shooting" for over 15 years on film and digital with comments such as "You should sell your pictures" or "can you shoot my wedding". I know that really doesn't say much and I'm sure everyone gets that on this forum, but I guess I just want to know if this is even a realistic "starting point" in turning something that I like/love into something that will keep me interested and excited about in years to come.

I have read that most people start in a photo studio as an apprentice or have a billion years in school/teaching photography or have been printed or on the web for years before they have something steady. Unfortunatly, I do not have that exprience or the formal training.

I am sorry for the lengthy post!
I'd appreciate any feedback or insight.

[Noni]

I am not a professional photographer, but I've been in your shoes with my writing.

The issue you must face is "what will happen if I get told no?"

So what will happen? Will you stop making photographs? Will you curl up in a ball and think "I'm no good, I can't do this." Will you run screaming down the streets of your town? Or will you say "well, I tried," and go on to the next thing, and then the next thing.

If you are told no, at least you risked it. At least you put it out there. At least you're playing the game at 100%. There's no point in doing something which makes your heart sing if you won't listen to it's song.

I've always said if the opportunity presents itself, to grab it with both hands, and see what happens. The worst - the very very worst that will happen is you're told "no." So what? So you go on, and go on to the next project, the next opportunity.

I promise you that you will not die. And if it won't kill you to go for it, why not give it a shot?

I nearly vomitted the first time I submitted an article for a national mag. And when they accepted it, and paid me for it, I nearly vomitted in surprise. But I never would have had the measure of success I've had with my writing had I not submitted that very first article. And know what? I don't have a college education, I don't teach english, I don't have any "credentials" to speak of.

Yes, I've been told no since that first time, but still...I took that risk the first time.

Step out and take that risk. You'll survive it, no matter what the outcome.

Best of luck-
Noni

[R.T.]

I agree with Noni, go for it and see what happens. You might even want to make them an offer to work for them part time for less money or even for free to get your foot in the door. And then after a set amount of time if there not happy with your work they owe you nothing and your out of a job that you never really had to begin with. lol

But even if you think my idea stinks, still try for the job. Wouldn't it suck if you found out no one else applied for the job? Just do it, you didn't have the job when you went for the interview, so if you don't have it when you leave your not out a thing. But if you don't go, you'll never know and it will eat at you!.......Good luck!

[D Boone]

I feel like I could be in your shoes... I want desperatly to try new things, but I guess I am afraid I would fail. If I was you I would go for it, better to accept rejection and move on than always ask yourself, what if??

[Rob612]

Those who live by the sword are likely to be shot by those who live by the gun :D Get your gun and give it a try. What the heck, the worst that can happen is that they say no thanks. The only really stupid question is the one that is not asked.

[Andy_T]

It's really not *that* much of a risk ...

what you can lose is the afternoon it takes you to put together a resume, and whatever time it takes to go to an interview if they invite you :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[IndyJeff]

I agree with Noni, go for it and see what happens. You might even want to make them an offer to work for them part time for less money or even for free to get your foot in the door. And then after a set amount of time if there not happy with your work they owe you nothing and your out of a job that you never really had to begin with. lol

But even if you think my idea stinks, still try for the job.

Sorry R.T. Your idea does stink. If you go in there with the idea that you will work for free or real cheap, one of two things could happen.
1. They may not consider you since they may have the opinion that if your willing to do it for free, you may not be good enough and don't feel your work is worthy of being paid for.

2. Or they may say ok, we'll give you a shot. If and when they do decide to pay you they will know that they can save money by hiring you because your willing to work for less.


If you were a mechanic or a cook, would you work for free or at a reduced rate for 2 weeks / a month to prove you could do the job?

[mkh]

Nothing venture nothing gained.

The only question is if you can survive financially on that job. This assumes that you have to give up our current job. If so then go for it and let us know how it turns out.

[Jon, The Elder]

There are a lot of ways of phrasing it - but IndyJeff has the idea.
Never ever give yourself away for nothing. If they have expressed interest - why diminish yourself right off the bat?

Look, act and BE confident in your approach.

Good grief, I'm starting to sound like my Dad.

[PhotosGuy]

That's (almost) all good advice, & my issue with the other has already been addressed.
You have experience. If you don't get hired, see what you can learn from it. Add the sort of pics to your portfolio that will show your talent next time.
OTOH, someone once observed that you should NEVER show food pics to a food photographer, since he knows ALL about them. SO... show him cars, or something else if you want to get hired! ;-)

[toyguru]

Thanks for all the advice and support!!:) All of it is much appreciated! I just sent out my resume as well as CD of my portfolio (per their requirements) and just waiting by the phone for the call.

And to answer your question mkh.... I'm willing to give up retail and retail management for something I love!! If you've been in retail as long as I have I'm sure you would agree too!!:D

Hopefully I'll have some follow-up on this..

[theflyingkiwi]

I say go for it, as everyone said, you have nothing to lose:)
and just a couple things off the bat. indyjeff is right. never give anything away for nothing, once you start its real hard to stop.

And if are starting to repeat what your father says, then it shows you how wise he is :lol:

but one thing that I would recommend and that is if you don't get the job, tell them thanks but ask them, why. This will be the hard thing to do, and some people might even say "hell no". But the reason I say this is because it is only the ture way of learning. They are going to tell you that you didn't have the right skills, the type of photography or what ever. But no matter what they say it will teach you, what you are missing.

Which at the end of the day, may help you get the next one job that apply for :) and that is the important bit.

[mkh]

And to answer your question mkh.... I'm willing to give up retail and retail management for something I love!! If you've been in retail as long as I have I'm sure you would agree too!!:D



Good luck toyguru.

I have a wife and 4 kids along with all of the debt that those bring. I wish I could afford to take some chances. If I could I would be living in the mountains of North Carolina but alas I'm still in Florida.

[Maureen Souza]

I hope you get that chance...... but if you don't, there are others. Good Luck :):):)

[BrandonSi]

No phone call yet?

[toyguru]

Not yet... just sent off my resume and portfolio on Tuesday. Going to call them up tomorrow to see what type of response they recieved on the ad in the paper and how many people applied for the position. Thought that I would give the standard 2-3 day wait considering I had to send it proiority mail!

I will update when I find out some info.:D

[mdaddyrabbit]

Photography is a talent, if all they want is experience they may not get the quality of work they are hoping for. Never be scared to take a risk. Like a few others have said all they can say is no. No never hurt me it gave me the ambition to work harder and become the best at what I do. Go for dude and never look back or say what if, live in the future and not the past!

[Roach711]

The fear of failure has stopped many people from "following their bliss." But you have to realize that if you're doing anything of consequence you *will* fail sooner or later - it's inevitable. In every setback there is a gift for you. Often you have to look very hard to find it, but it's always there.

It's Trial & *error* after all.

[toyguru]

Well, here are the results.... I went, got "interviewed", and was told that it wasn't what they were looking for. The interview was not that long and I was asked some basic questions and there are a few "shoulda/coulda" instances that I can think of now that I did not excecute (always happens after the fact!).

I will take your advice though Bloo Dog about hounding them with pics!! At least I might have my foot jammed in the door a little and eventually get it through someday! There are a few places I've been thinking about sending my "digital portfolio" to see where it takes me.

Overall I think that it was a good experience, but there were a few times that I was thinking, "I feel dumb, could you please ask me another question I have no real answer for"! I guess it comes with the turf when you are changing occupations drastically.

[theflyingkiwi]

It's good to hear what happen, sorry about not getting the job. but there will always be other chances out there.

But aleast you had taken a risk and despite not getting the job you have the experence of the interview. And like the wise Bloo Dog said, there are other ways of getting to where you wont to be.

[Rob612]

Lesson learned, experience done. Overall, whatever the results are, I won't be really disappointed. The most important part, that is makind the decision to try, was done, and that counts !