Key takeaways
- Contract photography jobs are short-term, project-based work involving strict timelines and pre-defined deliverables.
- If you want to get contract photography work, you should identify a niche within photography and stick to it.
- You need a strong portfolio in your chosen specialization area in photography to land contract photography jobs.
- A legally binding contract will list the scope of work, project deliverables, delivery timeline, payment schedule, and cancellation and refund policies.
- Building industry connections can make a world of difference, enabling you to obtain a higher number of contract photography jobs.
- You will also have to focus on marketing your skills and services through a variety of channels to reach a wide number of clients.
Digital photography is more than just an art form, it is an in-demand skill in a versatile industry that can lead to several earning opportunities. While you can definitely pursue formal employment at organizations such as magazines, event management companies, marketing and advertising agencies, and so on, contract photography jobs are a much better option for those seeking free reign.
If you don’t want to be bogged down by contracts, endless working hours, limited leaves, and being bossed around, making contract photography work your main income source is an excellent option. But navigating the tumultuous waters of a free market economy and surviving on contractual work opportunities can prove challenging. Here, we discuss all you need to know about landing contract photography jobs.
What are contract photography jobs?
What sets a regular job apart from a contract photography job is the time duration. Contract photography work is better defined as a short-term project where either the time duration or the deliverables are predefined in a legally binding and time-restricted contract.
Examples of contract photography work include a photographer hired to cover a 3-month tour organized by a travel agency, a photographer hired to cover a wedding event, and so on. The scope of the project will determine employment terms and conditions, pay, and deliverables. Here is what a contract for a photography job usually entails.
Scope of Work
This part outlines what the photographer needs to photograph. For a wedding photography job, the scope of work will include bride and groom portraits, event coverage, candid photography, formal photography of the family, wedding party, and so on. Here, you will find details of the project deliverables.
Delivery schedule
The contract will also list a detailed delivery timeline from the delivery of raw footage to the submission of all the deliverables. For example, a photographer covering a wedding may need to submit raw footage within 1-2 days for the bride and groom to select the images they want edited, included in the album, or blown up to hang in their home.
Payment terms
The payment section in the contract outlines how much of the payment is due and when. Usually, a certain amount is paid upfront to confirm the booking and hiring of a photographer. Some clients divide the remaining payment according to the delivery timeline and only pay the complete amount after receiving all of the deliverables. However, some clients pay the whole amount upfront. Make sure you openly discuss the terms of payment with the client before signing the contract to avoid hiccups later on.
Copyright and usage rights
Not everyone is comfortable having their photographs shared on a photographer’s professional page, so some clients may withhold copyright and usage rights. You will need to clearly discuss copyright and usage rights with the clients before signing the contract. Make sure you push to retain ownership of your work so that you can, at the very least, include your work in your portfolio.
Cancellation policies
Everyone has the right to change their mind. However, when it comes to contract photography work, last-minute cancellations often mean lost work opportunities and significant financial losses. So, to avoid any conflict and to ensure neither party bears the brunt of last-minute mind changes, the contract should include a detailed cancellation policy, including up until when and if the client is eligible for a refund.
Refund policies
Monetary issues are often a source of conflict, especially when it comes to contract cancellations. Make sure you draft a clear and concise cancellation and refund policy for your clients. It should include how much of the down payment or the overall price is refundable and until when. Not only will a clearly stated refund policy save you the hassle of explaining it in detail to each and every client, but it can also help prevent random cancellations.
How do I get contact photography jobs?
While it may not be the traditional career pathway, contract photography can be an excellent business model for many aspiring photographers. Whether you want to start your own photography business or pick and choose work opportunities as a freelance photographer, you will essentially be working as a contract photographer. But without the backing of a formal designation at a listed company, landing contract photography jobs can prove challenging.
Here is how you can navigate the world of contract photography to stand out amongst competitors.
Choose a niche and stick to it!
There is a ton of contract photography work across different fields in photography. Opportunities are not just limited to wedding photography but are available in various other niches within the field. You can explore contract photography work in the following fields and more.
- Real estate
- Product photography
- Photoshoots for advertisements
- Fashion photography
- Shooting for social media influencers
- Corporate events
- Parties
- Photojournalism – for magazines and editorials
In the freelance market, you cannot be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Here, being a master of one presents significant advantages. By choosing a niche, you will be able to apply for and work on different projects within the field. This will not only strengthen your portfolio but also increase your visibility in your desired niche within your specialization.
Over time, you will become an established professional who will be the first choice of potential employers as you will have gained recognition in your field. However, if you dabble your hand in all types of photography, you won’t be able to develop specialized skills, a strong portfolio, or a reputation in any niche.
Build a portfolio
If you want to land contract photography work, you have to let your work speak for itself. In the photography industry, your portfolio speaks of your skill level and experience. Thus, after you choose a niche area within photography, try and obtain as much work as you possibly can. Even if a job doesn’t pay well, take it up in your initial years just to gain professional work experience, but do not include all your work in your portfolio.
The stronger your portfolio, the better and higher the number of job opportunities you will be able to get. Thus, you should prioritize quality of work over quantity. Include your best and most versatile work in your portfolio to demonstrate your versatility, creativity, and technical skills.
Focus on networking and building industry connections
Social skills are of the utmost importance when it comes to the contract photography market. You must be able to connect with industry professionals, including event organizers, artists, local business owners, community centers, other photographers, wedding planners, vendors, and so on. These connections are what will help you get an increasing number of jobs provided you develop long-lasting connections.
Moreover, you need to have a strong social media presence to be visible to potential clients. You can join online photography communities, sign up on different freelancing platforms, and create profiles on various job search websites such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and so on. Here, you will not only be able to find and apply for contract photography jobs, but, you can also connect with peers and potential clients alike, building a strong community essential for success in the field.
Market yourself
Showcasing your work is only the first step to securing contract photography work. You also have to market your skills and professionalism in a subtle yet alluring way. There are several tactics and techniques used in marketing that can help you promote your services. However, paid marketing is the fastest way to reach potential clients, provided it is done right.
But, quick to show results is also quick to decline in its efficacy. For long-term sustainable results, you will have to take a more holistic approach to marketing your technical skills, creativity, and abilities. Thus, you will have to focus on organic marketing, word of mouth, peer reviews, and other tactics for long-term results.
Have the contracts ready.
Here, it pays to be prepared. Customers don’t like to wait. They may reach out to you in the morning and expect to have a contract signed by the end of the day. Thus, it literally pays to have your contracts, pricing lists, bundles and packages, and cancellation and refund policies all drafted beforehand. The minute a customer reaches out to you with a query, you can respond with a formal document that not only shows professionalism but also gives the impression that you are an established professional who hasn’t thought of the pricing on the spot.
Of course, you will need to make adjustments as per the client’s requirements. But a speedy reply and show of formal documentation might as well just drive the nail in the coffin and get you hired.
Final Note: Enjoy the influx of contract photography jobs!
If you want to land contract photography jobs, you have to be persistent and consistent. Yes, your initial years will be riddled with struggle unless you luck out. However, with hard work, persistence, and the right strategy, finding contract photography work can become effortless. Make sure you prepare all necessary material beforehand so that when a client reaches out, you can respond professionally and develop a favorable market reputation.