Moolah

My mentor Eric highly emphasized the business aspect of photography. Likewise, through various blog posts, photojournalist Mark M. Hancock (.blogspot.com) again emphasizes the important of business skills, as well as discusses the logistics of a photojournalist's income.

Articles: Negotiate A Good Staff Deal - Fixed Costs, Negotiate A Good Staff Deal - Variable Costs, Transition from Staff to Freelance

Hancock reminds his blog visitors that photojournalism is not a well-paying field. Photojournalists choose this job to follow their passion, their art, and they (should) find joy in their work, despite the income. Thus, Hancock offers his description and advice on how to secure enough money to get by.


One thing I can't stop thinking about is just how... expensive photography can be. Buying equipment, updating equipment, it's almost cruel -- a photographer practically has to shell out so much cash to work. While photographers do get to use company equipment, Hancock emphasizes the importance of one's own tools that one can carry and add to throughout life. Thus, Hancock says that even early on, when photographer does happen to have a staff job at a corporation, it's fundamental to save up money for equipment. It almost feels counter-intuitive to me, yet the logic makes sense. 


Photojournalists basically have two career variations: steady-income jobs with a business, or freelance work. Another interesting tidbit is that Hancock urges photojournalists to negotiate for contracts with good benefits and if necessary, lower income than a contract with a higher income without benefits. Meanwhile, even at staff jobs, photojournalists still rack up bills for their work, such as travel fees, repairs, etc. and those costs come out of their own pocket. 


It's daunting for me to imagine willingly subjecting myself to a life without stability -- what can I say, I'm a control freak. Yet to me, if someone feels so much passion about something that they're willing to, that's the bravest and more admirable thing in the world.