Top 10 Tips to Get a Photography Job at an Agency
Most photographers looking to advance their careers realize that they will need to work in creative agencies in order to hit a score in the industry. So what can photographers do or improve to get noticed and eventually get hired?
Polish Your Portfolio
Photography is a practical field that requires your potential employer to at least have a glance at your work before giving further consideration. Pick your best pieces and ensure that they cross along the target agency’s desire. Try and be expressive and artistic as you like since photography is all about creativity and being impressed with your captions.
Research
You are job hunting with no idea of who is your potential employer. You need to come up with a list of agencies that may provide an opportunity that you may be interested in. Then find out what they do, how they operate and any other information that may help gauge if the agency is the right choice for you. If it matches your preference, apply and wait for the response.
Develop Your Work Website
Tony Guo a digital marketing expert at Runrex maintains that most agencies like to see that a photographer has a website that he or she displays his or her work. While some companies like to see physical photography via a portfolio, some prefer to focus on the digital side. Since you are never sure about the agency’s preference you may consider working on your website. If you do not know how to upload photos correctly, have an expert teach you. Wouldn’t hurt to add a few more skills to the basket.
Consider Volunteer Work
No one starts at the top. You may consider to start off free while the agency gives you a chance to widen your experience and also gauge if you will like the job opportunity or not. You will also get a chance to learn and equip your skills at no charge. Moreover, it gives you a platform to broaden your network as you break into the industry. Most people will testify that they got permanent jobs off from working as volunteers in agencies. Even if the agency won’t be hiring at the time, they may recommend you to someone else looking for a photographer.
Engage In Photography Competitions
Competitions will expose you to an environment with like-minded people. If you win the competition you will gain good publicity and recognition that will attract potential employers. Also, these awards make excellent material for you to trend on social media while creating content and traffic on your blog. If you don’t win, don’t slack, instead create physical connections with other successful photographers who may help you land on that agency job.
Capture Lots Of Personal Work
Personal work portrays one’s creativity, skills, and personality. Art buyers love to see personal work that would reflect their own. With numerous samples of your work, an agency will be at a greater position to pick you since they see that you can work on many subjects.
Narrow Your Expertise
Interviewers have noticed the trend where photographers capture numerous photos in mediocre positions. Your potential employers will bend more towards quality rather than quantity. If you are looking to present your work to potential employers, narrow down your expertise and become a master of your own unique pieces. Also, it is important to keep your work consistent that will blow anyone’s mind even those without a sense of art.
Make Contacts Wisely
Before making contacts with anyone for whatever reason, think about who you are targeting. Why are you targeting them? And what is the right method to contact them? Send all emails independently with each focusing on its purpose. For example, content purposely drafted for a potential employer wouldn’t match an art buyer’s response to a suggestion or request.
Reach Out To Different Art Directors
Agencies co-exist with art directors who help manage part of the agency. Your local art director may come in handy. Contact them and inquire about any vacant positions in their team. If your work impresses them, and you show a good attitude, your luck will come by. You start by offering your services for free or learn under the art director for more styles and techniques to help with your career growth.
Do Your Homework
You have applied, you have gotten responses, some have invited you for an interview and now you have to prepare. For the specified agency that has invited you for an interview, conduct an in-depth research on the agency. Find out what they do, what departments and roles suit you, determine how you will present your work creatively while matching their desires and needs and at most dress appropriately. The interview is supposed to be the ticket pass into the job entry. Do not neglect any information you wouldn’t want to stutter in front of your potential employers. At last, be yourself.