You're a 20yr old college student

[Crashoran]

...Looking for work. You've searched all around for photography jobs but all that you can find is working for $8/hr at Walmart PictureMe Portrait Studios or in other mall studios.

Do you:

A. Work in a studio dealing with children and babies all day long
B. Try to get your own business started
C. Work somewhere else that doesn't involve photography

It's hard to find reliable work with consistent pay taking photos. Most things I do on the side only occur a couple times each year.

What would you do? I would like to work in a studio but the pay is extremely low and I don't think I would work well with children. I worked for a newspaper in Lubbock but left to move to another city - now I'm thinking it may have been one of the worst decisions I've made yet. Chances of getting with a newspaper around the Austin area is probably very low - I've been sending resumes with no feedback.

Let's say I finish my Associate's degree in two years with commercial photography. Will that degree help me find a place to work better than I can now?

[110240]

go to new zealand for the coming ski season - its good pay shooting ski/snowboarding - and ski/snowboard your brains out.

[birwin]

im a 22yr old college student looking for photography jobs in houston. im finding that the market is quite saturated with the exception of the odd freelance job. i would also like to add that yes i am living in my parents house.

i know how you feel

[virtuousphotography]

Ditto. I feel your pain. 22 year old living north of Dallas. I had actually thought about majoring in Photography, but when I realized I can't do much more with that degree than I can without it, I said screw it. Grrr!

[Crashoran]

It's tough - my car is leaking oil, I need my brakes fixed, paying for rent, food, tuition, books, lab fees, class equipment, paper, ink, strobes, reflectors = $$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!

[virtuousphotography]

Yeah, it sucks! I work at a bank, and just to clear the rumors up, just because you work at a bank does NOT mean you have money! Lol!

[carrbowl]

You can learn about life and business in any job you have. If you search some of the business talk, you will learn that a photography business is a business owner who sells photography. IMO, it is easier to learn to photograph, than to run a business. Just one persons opinion...it's not right or wrong, it's just something to think about...

[cnoise]

I've seen several listings for photographers on craigslist. Mileage may vary, but might help.

[glchism]

If you have a degree, teaching photography at a high school is always an options. Depending on the school, you could have access to some camera equipment, computers and a darkroom if you still use film.

It might not be the ideal situation, but it does allow you to stay close to something that you enjoy (i.e. photography), make a little money, share your knowledge and freelance on the side.

[12stones]

You might also think about looking into a place like Glamour Shots or Picture People in a mall. I know it's not illustrious work, but it will help you develop some customer service skills, give you experience in dealing with people in a studio setting, etc. Just a thought.

[HotHolly]

Another note - photography studios (not sears and mall folks) are looking for good solid employees, although they may not advertise it. You can get a job where ever and keep looking for a photography job. No shame in having 2 jobs and you'll get paid more! My best interns sought me out. It is hard to find good help. My suggestion would be to get a normal job for a kid your age, and then look for a photog who is established who wants an assistant. You'll get the training you need and it may turn into a full time gig.

Also, to get work at the newspapers, if you know someone who knows someone at the paper, you get your foot in the door faster. Ask a prof at your college or someone you know. No shame in asking around. If you find connections, use them.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

You can learn about life and business in any job you have.

Good words of wisdom. And remember, any job you get as a college student is most likely going to be temporary anyway. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

[brad]

Say what you want about Walmart, but you will learn a lot about people skills and getting poses out of normal people working there... not saying it should be a career choice, but at 20 years old, you should be looking at learning the workplace and developing skills.... not a job to retire with.

[bondarnes]

I am interviewing for a summer intern. The pay is lousy, the hours suck, and the boss doesn't know diddly about photography. Other than that it is not a bad summer gig.

[mdparthum]

Originally Posted by glchism

If you have a degree, teaching photography at a high school is always an options. Depending on the school, you could have access to some camera equipment, computers and a darkroom if you still use film.

It might not be the ideal situation, but it does allow you to stay close to something that you enjoy (i.e. photography), make a little money, share your knowledge and freelance on the side.

This is very good advice in my opinion. I got a B. A. in Photography in 1989 from Sam Houston State University and instead of facing a world of One Hour Photo Labs or trying to get on at a Studio, I went back to school, got certified to teach and I am now teaching Photojournalism/Photography in High School, co-sponsor of the yearbook, and I am my district's webmaster. I want to expand my classes to offer more photography. A friend of mine also teaches Webmastering and Photography at another high school and then runs a sideline wedding photography business. You can't beat the timeoff in the summer and the holidays, plus the pay isn't really all too bad, could be better, but starting off is okay.