More Challenges of Freelancing
March 28, 2010
Not being on staff often means lacking access to standard resources. Freelance photographers I’ve spoken with complain about not having access to free equipment, software, and computers. Plus, if a lens, camera, or any other accessory breaks, they have to pay for repairs. If equipment gets lost or stolen, they have to replace it. Insurance covers some things, but that’s yet another expense to worry about.
Then there are advancements in technology to worry about. Newer, better digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and editing programs are always coming out. When they do, do you wait for prices to come down before buying? Or by the time that happens, will something even better come out? And will it be worth it to spend more money on that? Forced frugality and constant concerns about your competition can take the fun out of gadget shopping.
There are also the added costs to branching out on your own. Self-promotion and marketing takes time and sometimes money. The Internet has in some cases made it easier to get the word out about your business, but, in order for social media and networking to be effective, you have to put in a lot of time and effort.
Yet another concern is being at the whim of unreliable clients. Whether you’re a photographer, writer, editor, designer, videographer, or anything else, you’ve probably encountered a client who asked for something extra at the last minute or moved up the project’s deadline and still expected to pay the original agreed upon price. Or clients who say they want one thing but change their mind upon delivery. Or vague clients who have no idea what they really want to begin with. And, of course, you have to always keep in mind your relationship with each client. Because each job could potentially lead to future jobs.
The upside is being able to do the kind of work you want to do. There’s a lot to be said for getting to pitch the stories you want to write and choose the kind of shoots you want to do.
But it goes to show that there aren’t a whole lot of resources out there for media entrepreneurs who fall into this special category of freelancing.
