finding a job at 40 and talented
Hey everyone out in the jungle, how are you all doing today?
Here is the down and dirty of it. I was a stay at home father for about 10 years. (long story) The bottom line is that I did not attend college when I got out of high school, I went into the Navy to follw a career path which I never did persue due to some family emergency, got out of the Navy in about 2 years, yes....discharged with honorable discharge, no...did not qualify for student loan or college, not in long enough.
Ok, present day, 40 years old, taken a junior college class here or there, bad expereince, won't go into now though- Two kids, 11 and 8 now both in school.
Almost 10 years ago, I taught myself photography and photoshop. I started a part time business, had some success, then we moved and I had to start over, equipment failure, computer and studio lights etc. had to update, equals $$$$$. Ok, I've been working this last year doing other work outside of photography, due to many reasons, I have left this company, now trying to find a position as a photographer with a company as an inhouse photographer or a magazine as a staff photographer. Not having any luck.
I still hang my shingle for jobs with photography as a freelancer, however without direct marketing through yellow pages or something expensive like that, I am not druming up much business.
So, as a 40 year old married, father of two, trying to find my little patch of ground to call my own in this lifetime, does anyone have any suggestions for me that are serious?
I have taken the personality tests too, I've tried talking to the Junior college councelor and job coach, however it seems that they only have a woman on staff that usually helps single woman to get back into the work force, I don't know what men are suppose to do...
Please pardon any spelling or grammer errors, I know there must be a few, it is not my intention to be perfect here, I am running late and wanted to get this off to you all out there. This message is written in a conversatonal style so anyone who finds fault cover your eyes and just try to be helpful and get past my human errors. Any thoughtful and well intentioned advice is appreciated.
Thanks, Hope to hear from someone who is in my situation and has good advice.
Tim
I assume you're looking for resources for freelance photography. Okay, try these sites:
www.mediabistro.com , http://newsjobs.net , www.elance.com , and you could also try Googling "freelance photography". And don't forget to check Craigslist. Good luck.
Thank you for taking the time to provide to me some information, I'll check them out.
Tim
My goodness, finally, a fellow photographer!
I'm on a similar route, trying to find a way to make my photography hobby pay. I've been given lots of positive feedback about my work but am clueless as to how to get from point a to point b and get the word out on my work, be seen, and get paid for my work!
I've checked out mediabistro and signed up for that and also check out craigslist. People ask for a LOT but don't want to pay a lot, so be prepared to go through a LOT of ads and see what will work for you.
There are listings for photography assistants, and they're looking for those who know some kind of program like photoshop. You are already a step ahead in the game.