Professional Practice- Swot Analysis

In-the-bag

Strengths

• I like being a leader

• I am able to communicate easily

• Willing to work

• Kind and friendly

• Has a good sense of humour

• Photographed a wedding and other events

• I have a quite a good follower base and a few contacts

• I have a plan for the future

• I strive for success

• Committed

• Hard working

• Passionate

• Happy to model

Weaknesses

• Need to get my work out there more

• Be more productive in finding photography jobs

• Work harder on my wix blogs

• Feel more confident about my work and knowledge

Opportunities in my Career Field

• Shooting for large magazines such as vogue, billboard, rolling stone etc

• Becoming successful

• Travelling the world

• Meeting many different types of people

• Work experience

• Build up contacts

• Feedback from others

• Get my name known

Threats in my Career Field

• Competition

• Technical advances

• Lack of work

• Safety

• Cost

• Being able to stand out from the crowd

Roles and Responsibilities as a photographer

• working with clients to discuss the images they require and how they want to use them

• seeking out appropriate photographic subjects and opportunities

• carrying out research and preparation for a shoot

• working in different locations and circumstances to get the right image

• using an extensive range of technical equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting and specialist software

• arranging still life objects, products, scenes, props and backgrounds

• liaising with other professionals, including graphic designers, writers, gallery managers, picture researchers, commissioning editors and art directors

• managing the processing and use of images, discussing technical problems, checking for quality and dealing with clients' concerns

• compiling finished products for sale, such as albums and framed prints

• understanding traditional film and digital photography and keeping up to date with industry trends, developments and new techniques

• developing expertise with software to digitally enhance images by, for example, changing emphasis, cropping pictures, correcting minor faults or moving objects around

• managing the business aspects of the work, including administration, scheduling work, invoicing and basic accounting

• developing a good portfolio, building a network of contacts and achieving a reputation for quality and reliability in order to secure future assignments

• self-marketing by, for example, producing business cards, postcards and promotional materials and creating and maintaining a website.

Estimated Salary

• In full-time employment, starting salaries can be between £12,000 and £22,000.

• Many entrants to the profession start as assistants, resulting in some extremely low starting salaries - sometimes around £10,000 a year.

• Salaries can increase to anywhere from £25,000 to £65,000. The top end of the scale is typically for those who have a strong reputation and are highly sought-after.

Freelance and self-employed photographers often supplement their income with other related activities, such as giving photography lessons.

All salary's are an estimate!

Working Hours

Hours can be long and unpredictable and may be led by demand. For example, wedding photographers will be at their busiest in the peak spring/summer wedding season and sports photographers will expect to work weekends and evenings to cover fixtures and events.

Freelance photographers may have periods of working at maximum capacity followed by times when there is little or no work.

Skills

• excellent technical skills, using digital and non-digital cameras and industry-standard software such as Photoshop

• creativity and an eye for a picture

• personality, perseverance, patience and dedication

• the ability to work under pressure, juggle workload and meet deadlines

• the ability to work both independently and in teams, building rapport with clients, colleagues and other businesses.

Employers

• The police employ forensic photographers to take 'scene of crime' and forensic photographs. This work may incorporate videography and is not for the squeamish. Further details are available from individual police forces. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) also employs qualified photographers.

• Some museums have permanent photographers who catalogue exhibits and contribute to educational materials.

• High street photographers and wedding/social photographers may take on trainees and assistants.

• Commercial studios, which are a significant employer in the industry, are based mainly in London, but there are a few in other large cities.

• Many large organisations, such as businesses, universities, local authorities and charities, employ staff photographers, who may also be involved in audiovisual or marketing work. There is a low level of staff turnover in these types of posts, so vacancies appear infrequently.

• Cruise liners, holiday companies and theme parks employ photographers to provide a social photography service. Work is usually offered on a short-term contract and recruitment is generally handled through an agency.

Work Experience

It is essential that you have significant work experience when applying for photography work.

You will need a professional and impressive portfolio, which could be online, a traditional book or on a CD/Memory stick.

Whichever format you choose, your portfolio must be:

• relevant to the chosen area

• well presented

• constantly updated

Volunteering, work shadowing, work experience and project work with photographers or relevant employers are also great ways of gaining experience and skills, as well as making contacts. You should take any opportunity to have your work published.