Long story short, been in construction for 20 years and laid off for almost a year. I'm officially done with construction, following my life long passion for art now.

I really want to start my own photography business in the next couple years but currently seeking part or full time work in a photography studio and as an assistant.

Located in the philly area but NY is only a train ride away. 39 year old professional male and have assistant and photoshop experience.

Sorry if this is way off topic but I'm not finding anything "out there" anywhere and times running out.

Thanks!

I wish you good luck, Bob. I'd offer something beyond good wishes if I could.

Time to pound the pavement and visit every single place in your commute range that they take photos...gotta be a lot in big metro areas where you are! Try a search on Model Mayhem for photographers in your area, and PDN I think has resources that might help, PPA to find photographers, and don't forget the State PPA groups, and how about talk to some professsors that teach photograhy as they know working photogs...good luck!

If you're not a member at POTN you may want to join. They have a section for Services Wanted, and Services Available.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

Thanks everyone,

MSC - I've been pounding the pavement for months now. I have more resumes out there for jobs I normally wouldnt even consider and I cant even land them. Theres alot of people out of work. I just drove by a job fair for a new casino in my neighborhood and there was 2,000 people standing outside all waiting to walk through one single office door. I'll go back later around 2. Even though I've already sent my resume via online to the casino 20 times in 6 months, it would still be nice to actually meet someone because you cant do that by just walking into the casino.

Times are hard, I'm even considering moving to another state if I can find something. I honestly think theres a population problem or something. Too many people and not enough jobs for all of them. Everything being made/manufactured somewhere else certainly doesn't help the american people. Kinda funny, all these big billion dollar corporations make there products overseas somewhere for cheap labor then spend billions in advertising in attempt to sell it to poor people with no jobs in america

All that said, thats just a couple of the reasons I want to work for myself.

If you want to work for yourself, I suggest that you start by learning about marketing. Selling your services is very different that finding a job. Finding a job is about being the best qualified applicant, selling yourself is about other factors like appeal, pricing, convenience, etc. A marketing class at the local community college might help.

Success as a professional photographer has little to do with your ability to take pictures, it has to do with your marketing ability.

<Chas>

cwebster wrote:

If you want to work for yourself, I suggest that you start by learning about marketing. Selling your services is very different that finding a job. Finding a job is about being the best qualified applicant, selling yourself is about other factors like appeal, pricing, convenience, etc. A marketing class at the local community college might help.

The way I understand it, I don't think Robert has the time to do all that. I live in the Delaware Valley area too, basically Philly and suburbs. The photo market is tight here. Really good assistants belong to a local network. The assistant photographer, or second shooter jobs are very difficult to secure... and being realistic, they won't pay many bills either. If your Photoshop experience is really top shelf there is a remote possibility to find lab work, but a few calls to those labs still standing will give you idea of what's available. Generally speaking, photographers seeking work have even less of a chance than people do in other professions. Eventually this all may sort itself out, but if I were you I wouldn't bank on it anytime soon. In the meantime, I think commission sales jobs, handyman, deck builders, or anything that you can do that the average guy can't will probably net you work sooner than finding a job in photography. Good luck to you.