Placement task - commercial photography

Our group was assigned commercial photography to investigate.

What classes you as a commercial photographer?

Money is paid for the subject of the photograph or the photograph itself. Organisations with a specific budget may employ a photographer, however other options are competitions and looking through stock libraries. An example of a competition that I've noticed is ITV Anglia's, where they ask viewers to send their pictures in of the weather. Commercial photographers usually work to a time scale and brief. The photographers will then be used for the purpose stated in the brief. Commercial photography is different from art photography in this respect - as artists make work that they want to, rather than working to a brief. Commercial photography make take influence from modern art, as well as popular culture. This could also be seen as a collaboration between the image maker and the company/person setting the brief - combining business and creativity. An example of a commercial photographer is Nadav Kander - who worked with Take That on their album Progress. 

How to become a commercial photographer

Steve's Digicams runs through what you need to become a commercial photographer and the steps you should take to help you get into the industry. It however does say that you need a degree to become a commercial photographer - which is not necessarily the case. Keith Cooper also discusses how to become a commercial photographer - and how to market yourself as a business as well as an individual. Even though some commercial photographers are employed by businesses, others choose to be self employed, which requires a different set of skills, outlined here by Focused Exposure.

Agencies

Photographers can sign up with agencies and get a recruitment consultant, who will inform you when jobs come in that they think are suitable for you. There are recruitment agencies specific for photographers, or just general. Some examples are Ipswich Recruitment Agency, Form Creative Recruitment and Impact. The Guardian also has a page dedicated to photography jobs throughout the industry.

University Campus Suffolk also has a PDF document on looking for work once we have left.