job issue

Hi everyone,
I'm not sure if i post right topic... I have a hard time to find a job relate to photography... I did apply Sears portaits studio and still haven't hear from them... Now, I dont know where to apply to??? Most of them are family business... Have any idea to suggest me??? Thanks for your time read this.

First, do not take this personal, as I will do my best to help. I know you were likely born in 86 and this maybe your first post college job hunt. While these are fairly informal forums your post almost makes it seem as if English is your second language, which it could be, I am not judging. However, when applying or emailing perspective companies this would be a deal breaker for most.

That said...You will not really learn much from the likes of Sears etc. They keep the same settings, you will have almost no creative input, and make almost nothing. I would reach out to all the local photographers and offer to work as a second shooter or assistant. Depending on your location, and local economy, you may have to shoot a few for for almost nothing until you build a good portfolio. Times are certainly tough, but with persistance you may get lucky. Good luck on your quest.

Harsh reality of photography - you get rejected most of the time. It's like batting .300 in baseball, that means you failed 70% of the time but still did pretty good! On top of that most photographers fail to ever be photographers, they may last a little while but then disappear because it's a tough market and only getting tougher. You want to last you find a niche and dig in!

Olan Mills and other portrait places like that, which are exactly as described by CBParker with no control or creativity, are usually looking - try careerbuilder.com for those type jobs. You won't find anything else really on there but that. Speaking from knowing a LOT of photographers - not many use second shooters, but some do, so you have to research who does in your area and where you can get to (locations). A lot use assistants more than actual shooters.

Practice, both photography and good business practices, and keep at it.

At a Cross Road (career advice needed)

The large studios (Sears, JCPenny, Target, blah blah blah) are nothing but photographer farms. A trained chimp could do that job. That's why they only pay $8.00/hour. The same goes w/ the newborn photographers hospitals use. The one that did our youngest had a cart the baby laid in and had a P&S that took the picture w/ onboard flash. Again, they don't get paid very well. If you want to learn about photography and not merely a button pusher, get w/ a local/regional photography studio and talk to them. You may have to work a real job while you learn the ropes from real photographer, but your experience and education will be invaluable.