1. Working Freelance in the Creative
Media Sector
Understanding freelance work
Work Related Learning
Name: Chris Bailey
Let this workbook guide you through the issues surrounding working freelance. Have a specific job in
mind to help you. Do further research to get more examples. Use your own personal experiences. Try
2. to contact a freelancer for further examples and help. Delete the handy hints and tips when you start
your own responses. Reference any quotes you use and be sure to write around these and not use it
as your whole answer.
Working Freelance
Resources:
Which freelance job would you like to have?
If I entered the freelance industry I would hope to work in the photography sector. Preferably I would be
focusing on multiple photography styles, some I am more passionate about and some that will be able to
support me financially. Financially I would photograph weddings as they are often in need, although there
is a lot of competition. This would be the style I would focus on almost all of the time. Other times I could
focus on photography of wildlife for galleries and even photographing pets professionally which is
becoming more common recently.
What equipment or materials would you need to do the job freelance?
I would likely have 2 or 3 DSLR cameras. Each with different lenses mounted. One camera would
contain a 24mm f/2.8 lens for wide-angle shots of locations and group photos. Another would contain a
lens more suited to portraiture photography such as a 50mm f1.8. And thirdly I would have a lens with
more telephoto powers such as a 70-200 for photos where you cant get close or don’t want to invade
somebodies space. I would also carry multiple spare batteries, tripod, flashguns, reflectors and shutter
remotes.
What sort of workspace would be required?
I would need my own personal office space to concentrate on the post processing of images, and for
contacting those who may be interested in my work. For pet photography I will have small studio set up
for smaller pets. This studio could be based in an outhouse or garage, or I could shoot outside when the
weather is appropriate and use portable lighting and tools.
What are some of the financial difficulties a freelancer could face?
Working in freelance is sometimes viewed as a financial risk for those who work in the industry. The lack
of contracting and job security leaves many opportunities for jobs falling through and an instable income.
This will have consequence effects on all sorts of finances in life such as renting/paying mortgages as it’s
impossible to estimate the next pay day, it makes it very hard to commit to other finance properties such
as cars and opening particular bank accounts. A talented photographer can make around £1500 for a
day of photographing a wedding. This day will begin in the morning when the bride and groom are getting
ready, the wedding ceremony and after party will also be photographed. This price includes the album of
photographs and the photos backed up on disks.
Although £1500 sounds excellent for one day of shooting, a freelance wedding photographer will have to
spend day’s post processing and sifting through the images, as well as printing the album and having it
delivered. It is also not easy for a photographer to find the work they are looking for, so they spend a lot
of time contacting, and advertising in order to reach out to people looking for their work.
3. Professionalism:
Why is it important to be reliable as a freelancer?
Working in the freelance industry means you are the face and heart of your own company. One mistake
or even one bad review is potentially disastrous for your freelancing work. People want zero risk when
having wedding photos taken, so a bad review such as “not all images were great” or “colours seem
unrealistic in some of the photos” can have a quite negative effect, but bad reviews such as “got a call 2
days later saying memory card corrupted and he can only refund quarter of the cost” could bring the
freelance career to and end because the thought of that is terrifying to those getting married/paying.
Freelance almost always relies on word of mouth, whether this be direct or through web reviews. Making
sure everything follows the agreed plan is very important. This includes number of working hours,
number of photos, post production time and format of images i.e print/canvas/digital etc. Not following the
set plan can lead to bad reviews and a loss of potential work.
What are the implications of missing a deadline as a freelancer?
Missing a deadline can have different consequences depending on the severity. Telling a bride and
groom that their photos will not be ready on time due to postage could be taken easily, because it is not
closely the photographers fault. Although if there was an incident where the photographer’s laptops and
backups were stolen due to leaving them unwatched in his public workspace (such as Starbucks) then
the clients have a right to become very upset and angry at the freelancers mistake.
As a wedding photographer you have been trusted in ownership and care of a product that means a lot
to the clients, and to lose or damage them will be devastating to them and potentially your own
reputation. A bad reputation in the freelance industry is incredibly bad as you are the one and only face
and representative of your own business.
What strategies could you use to ensure you meet your deadlines?
Creating a diary and schedule should ensure that you accurately meet deadlines and keep everything on
track. It can be quite easy to overlap the time frames so it is important to have each section of your work
times disciplined so that you don’t spend too long on one subject.
A more advanced freelancer may have somebody working for them, such as an assistant. This assistant
would work to keep the freelancer within his time schedule and make sure everything runs smoothly.
They will also try to get clients for the freelancer to work with so they can focus on the practical work.
Why are presentation skills so important? How would you feel presenting or pitching to a client?
Pitching and presentation skills are very important in the freelance industry as you will be the only
person, other than word of mouth, selling your business to potential clients. Showing passion for your
work is very important when impressing a client, as it shows them that you aren’t Justin it for the money,
and that your passion will fuel your skill and commitment.
Staying confident is also very important, a client needs to have a lot of confidence in your abilities as a
freelancer, so signs that you aren’t even confident in your own practices will create causes for concern.
What sort of dress code might you need to follow in your role?
As a wedding photographer it is very important to dress smartly and appropriately for the event. The
photographer should not be wearing something that draws attention to them as people spotting the
photographer could create less natural and candid images being created. The photographer should also
be wearing clothing that will not create uncomfort under the pressure and friction caused by camera
straps etc.
4. Health and Safety:
Why is it important to ensure you work safely?
Safety in the work place is very important, especially in the freelance industry. Firstly, a freelancer will not
have sick pay, so if they become injured or ill because of work, they will not gain any pay whilst away
from work. ,This is very damaging for the freelancer as it is financially dangerous especially if
. ,there are people financially relying on them Safety at work can also affect others such as guests
.at a wedding who could be injured by a falling studio lamp
What are some requirements of a safe working area?
It is very important for tall, heavy or instable apparatus to be securely positioned so that they pose a
minimal risk to people and property. Working in a small garage work place means ensuring there is
available water and seating for clients. This ensures comfort for the client and a reduced risk of physical
uncomfort and dehydration if the weather is warm. It is also important to have heating for when
temperatures fall so that clients, again, feel more comfortable.
What are some of the health risks of stress and how can you manage stress?
Working alone and having to rely on your own initiative can create great stress due to lacking support
from a team. The health risks can lead to mental issues such as depression and even physical problems
such as weakened immune system or stomach ulcers.
A great way to manage stress is learning the ability to distance yourself from your work in your free time
and to be able to “switch off”. This means that you won’t constantly be thinking about your work, another
reason why it is important to have an office in an un-used room or in a house extension.
