Offered first photographic job

[wmphoto]

I'm lucky enough to be in a position where about 8 weeks ago I gave up full time work to pursue my photography as a career. I got sick of going "through the motions" with my work (an industry I had been in for 20 years) and it was time to do something that I enjoy.

Well, it has paid off and I have just been offered my first contract. It is for 6 weeks as photographic team leader for Santa photography up until Xmas. Sure it isn't glamorous, but it is paid photography work. The other benefit is the company I will be working for also do event photography, so I'm hoping that this might lead to other more "glamorous" work.

It's a pretty big deal for me given the risk I took to give up work, so I couldn't be happier. :D:D:D

[William]

Well done Warren, No wonder your happy :th3:

[freelancer]

Congratulations, what will you be doing ?
Jon

[Granville]

That's great Warren. I imagine that those who are in the job know how hard it is to get in the job . Excellent.

[wmphoto]

Thanks William - very happy.

Cheers Jon - Basically the photography roles themselves are quite simple, in a studio with conditions that don't change much. My role will be supervising the photographers and their work to ensure the quality is there and that if they change settings or doing something wrong, I can correct it. I will also step in as photographer if someone is off sick.

Thanks Granville - yes it takes time, but I have the confidence in myself.

[freelancer]

Sounds great but also a little scary. All the best with and look forward to hearing how it goes.
Jon

[Pixley]

Congratulations Warren great first step. Have fun! :)

[Mary Anne]

That's Fantastic.. Well Done!! and all the best :2encou:

[chappo1]

Congratulations, sounds like a good start...john

[wmphoto]

Thanks Pixley, Mary Anne and John. Baby steps towards a new career I hope :tog:

[FallingHorse]

Go get 'em Warren :)

[Ms Monny]

Fantastic!!! As the youth are saying today.... YOLO!!! (you only live once) :D I think it is great to pursue a dream and to get off the spinning wheel. All the best for the future. :th3:

[ricktas]

Congratulations. Hope the new career path provides you with both the money and the enjoyment to make it a life long one.

[Retro]

Congratulations and well done Warren! Look forward to hearing how it all goes for you.

[Mark L]

YOLO indeed (i feel younger already :))
Good on you for taking a risk. A the best for that foot in the door.

[fenderstrat1963]

Congratulations Warren! It's always good to hear about transitions like that - well done for taking a chance and having it come out well :D

Steve

[pearson]

Great news Warren! Gutsy of you to quit work to chase your dream, I hope you have great success!

[Stingray]

Congrats Warren

Good luck with it all :)

Have been procrastinating a lot myself, for years - LOL - about "should I do Photog for work"

[hightone]

Congratulations and all the best. :)

[Kel]

Well done I hope it all works out for you good luck

[wmphoto]

Just a quick update on the job... long hours and busy and the days are going to get longer. From next week 10hr days Mon-Thur with 12hrs on Fridays and 8hrs Saturday, 5.5 on Sundays. Then 2 weeks after that it is 12.5hrs / day Mon - Fri with the same weekend hours until Xmas.

So if you are thinking of taking up photography as a profession, try something like this and you will soon realise that there is a difference in photography for work v's hobby. That being said, I am really enjoying the work and have picked up a lot of good information from both the company I'm working for and the tog's I am supervising.

[Mary Anne]

Good to read that you like the job and everything is going well for you.. :2encou:

[wmphoto]

Well the job is done and dusted for the year. All I can say is that it is like most work based on customer service, management, supervision, etc. but with photography involved. Long hours, customer complaints, "photographers" who needed to be told almost every day how to compose a photo properly and what settings to use :rolleyes:

Summary - if you are looking for experience in photography, go for it. More experienced users I think you may not get the satisfaction you may require. Would I do it again? At this stage no. With the long hours and working every weekend your social life ceases to exist at a time of year when everyone is having their Xmas parties.

Now for my next job... I've started my own photography business (more to come on that) :th3:

[luckyforteja]

Congratulations Warren!