I need wildlife career advice badly!

[Badllarma]

Originally Posted by Adam Prosser

I can' t keep doing what I am doing and I refuse to get a job in a warehouse somewhere (what's the point)
Digital photo restoration

Right the point is the warehouse job keeps a roof over your head, food in your mouth and money for gear.

Adam you really need to think hard about this, I agree what others have said, but unless you have some sort of trust fund paying out every month a paying job is needed first.

For example
I work 12 hour night shifts 4 on 4 off, does not matter what I do (I cannot say anyway) but because for this shift work I also run a small business part time.
Some months I make enough part time that matches or even doubles what I earn in the boring job and so I think great but 70% of the year is does not in fact it falls way short, hence why I have the boring shift work (which I quiet enjoy to be honest, good banter with the lads .

You will NEVER in the real world make a full time job of buggering out every day with the camera taking shots of wildlife. I'm being realistic here mate it just will not happen. Because firstly you will have to go a lot further afield and that market is covered by the current pros and secondly there is so much material about I could buy a lot cheaper than paying some one like yourself a few grand to get it for me.

For Example
I want a nice picture of a kingfisher for a important company report so what the first thing i do?
I'll go online and look at the free or lower agency stuff that will cost me a few dollars, now if I cannot find what I want I'll then go to the main picture agencies and by now I'll have what I want.

But lets just say i cannot find that picture I may then come to a forum like this see the image I want PM some one offer them a decent price let just say for argument sake £100.00 and I'll have my photo they will be happy as they can come on here and say "I've sold my first image!!" and we will all say well done!! And I'll be happy as in relative terms it's cost me very little to get the image I want.

AT no stage was I going to go to a wildlife photographer and saying hey I need a picture of a kingfisher can you get me one and I'll pay you £3k for your expedition this month!! Never will happen...... Not unless you have a well know name who has been used by all the big media companies with a proven track record and I CANNOT find any image of the subject any where!!!


So that the negativity out of the way now the positive.........

Problem:- Right I need a foot in the door so I can can get paid for taking photos of wildlife.

1) Education.. I'll get myself trained up to do a job that comes into contact with animals.

2) Full time job.......not photography. I am now working with animal at a local wildlife park , zoo etc.. Doing all the crappy jobs dredging the ponds cleaning out the pens etc etc etc.. spend most of my time with my hands either covered in wet mud or something much worse!!

3) In my spare time I'm still at work but taking photos increasing my photography skills and learning by my mistakes.

4) I have now been at Fred Blogs Zoo for 2 years no paying gigs just working and spending your time doing your photography. I'm called into the office one day and are told they are doing a new brochure and everyone has seen you about doing your photos can they use my photos and they will pay me some extra this month, "have you got any photos of the camels?" No, well today rather than dredge the pond go and get us some camel photos for page 8 and we will still pay you the normal rate and give you the bit extra for using your images.

5) Result!! my first paying gig working all day as a wildlife photographer.

6) Maybe Fred has another zoo up country can I go there next week and do the picture for there brochure as well they will pay all your expenses plus extra for the images... Cool a whole week as a wildlife photographer!!!!

7) I submit my image to a photographic mag and win first prise.

8) I submit my zoo images to a agency and start selling a few to other zoo's that need images for there marketing information.

And that is what I would say would be a more realistic way to start who knows what happens after 8) maybe nine is the BBC see your images doing a program on zoo's and what to use your image for a book for the program, one never knows what's around the corner...........................................a good thing really

[Vectisbirder]

Originally Posted by Adam Prosser

I can' t keep doing what I am doing and I refuse to get a job in a warehouse somewhere (what's the point) so I need a change.

I know the feeling, having done many a rubbish job in shops and offices which have driven (are driving!) me nearly insane with boredom (it's only my birding and photography that keep me sane). However, you do need to earn money which will keep a roof over your head and the bills paid. Yep, boring and depressing, but unfortunately essential.

I would suggest, if you can afford to, that you do the oeoeoeoe job part time. Go temping if necessary, the advantage of that is that it will enable you to work for a while and then give you a break, if you want it, to do other things - such as photography. Through temping I have not been out of a job in three-and-a-half years, and while it is not ideal it does allow me to go travelling for a while before coming back and temping again, although with the current economic climate and looming recession I'm not sure how long I can keep this up for! Also, not having any family commitments allows me a significant amount of freedom to do this.
There are plenty of temping agencies around, all you need to do is look in the Yellow Pages. It's just an idea to think about, and the best thing is, you are not suck in just one job.

However, if you really want to do the photography and feel that it is for you then I would apply to do the course. You are not too old (never too old) and if they turn you down then you have lost nothing. If you do it and it doesn't work out, then again, you will have gained a lot of experience and lost nothing in the process.

[RoseStones]

Guys, please don't think that there's nothing out there for you but Wildlife Photography. I'm sure there's other avenues that you could explore? I think that career advice would be the best advice I could give, it just made me realise even if not what I wanted to do specifically then certainly the right kind of job i.e. working with people or not, outside or inside etc etc.

Best of luck.

[Adam Prosser]

yea I get what your saying, get a rubbish job keep roof over my head, I'm trying to do that and can't get one, they don't employ me for various reasons, like too qualified.

I had a part-time job and got made redundant, then it took me months to get another in a supermarket which i did well at, got promoted then I managed to get a job as a web manager for successful electric appliance company but unfortunately that was the job from hell so it did not work out.

So now im at my parents looking for another job been about 3 months now and can't get diddly squat. I'm just thinking get out of my parents and move to a more prosperous town with opportunities, at the moment i'm in limbo slipping into a deep state of depression and a feeling of worthlessness, I'm sure some of you have been there.

University would sort me out, but I'm being realsitic, just because you have gone to uni and got a degree or whatever, it does not mean you have got a job at the end of it.

Basically I either want a permanent job where I can build a career from and happy in or go to university or keep trying with freelance and my web site.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Adam Prosser

yea I get what your saying, get a rubbish job keep roof over my head, I'm trying to do that and can't get one, they don't employ me for various reasons, like too qualified.

I had a part-time job and got made redundant, then it took me months to get another in a supermarket which i did well at, got promoted then I managed to get a job as a web manager for successful electric appliance company but unfortunately that was the job from hell so it did not work out.

So now im at my parents looking for another job been about 3 months now and can't get diddly squat. I'm just thinking get out of my parents and move to a more prosperous town with opportunities, at the moment i'm in limbo slipping into a deep state of depression and a feeling of worthlessness, I'm sure some of you have been there.

University would sort me out, but I'm being realsitic, just because you have gone to uni and got a degree or whatever, it does not mean you have got a job at the end of it.

Basically I either want a permanent job where I can build a career from and happy in or go to university or keep trying with freelance and my web site.

There are wildlife jobs that you could do, perhaps fundraising or media liasing for wildlife trust or RSPB I see those posts form time to time, your graphics qualification could be of use in such a post is my think - the pay won't be great (as its a charity) but you'd meet good people who may lead to more interesting jobs, you'd be able to attend their training courses (which you could do anyway) and maybe eventually get a better job.

in the mean time get out there and volunteer. This will again not only allow you to meet useful and firendly peple but will put pay to your depression right off. IMO there is nothing better than getting out into the countryside to help out depression whether its taking lovely photographs or clearing willow scrub.

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Adam Prosser

...moment i'm in limbo slipping into a deep state of depression and a feeling of worthlessness, I'm sure some of you have been there.

I know what you mean...

First off, no-one are worthless.

I attended a talk with a careers advisor a couple of years back, who told the group to think of themselves not as worthless but as a team of substitution footballers, each with a purpose and just waiting for the opportunity to fulfill an important role. That's what I remember. You should, too

I am currently temping. I work as an event safety steward and get work pretty much monthly, and soon I will be going for the SIA license in Security. First and foremost it's a job I think I'm good at, but it's also flexible and means I have time between jobs to focus on photography.

As has been said, voluntary experience is great. Not everyone are willing to work hard without a financial incentive and so this is what will set you apart.

Good luck, Adam - Keep going and you will be rewarded!!!

Take care,

Jason

[Badllarma]

Adam your not the only one with redundancy problems at present, I could paper my walls with the rejection letters, I get finished in Jan along with our entire production crew of 85 People I know are about to lose homes that have young families and no where to go, sounds like your pretty young may be worth considering education at present, remember there are always people worse off than yourself keep your head up, don't let it get to you and push on.

[Words]

Adam, there is one wildlife photography degree in the country as far as I know. This one: http://www.bawildphoto.co.uk/ (odd url but it's bona fide). In an economic downturn if you have the chance (and can support yourself financially) through a degree, then do look at it. Getting a job in the downturn won't be easy, but getting your skills/quals where you want them will serve you well when things recover. That's the theory.

The problem you may face is that the government has recently stopped funding people taking an 'equivalent or lower qualification' (ELQ). What this means is that if you have a BA (not sure what your graphic design qual is) you may end up paying 'full fees' rather than just the 'top up' fee of £3k a year. It depends on the college, but likely to prove expensive. But check with them. It will all depend on your existing qualifications. Feel free to PM me (I work in university admin, so deal with this sort of thing daily).

Otherwise, in the meantime the other advice seems sound to me. Just never forget your dreams... dull work can fund them and if you are determined you'll find a way.

[Vectisbirder]

That course looks excellent and if I was in a position to do so, I'd do it. If it is still going in a couple of years time, and I am in a better financial position, I may well give it a go.

[KeenTeen17]

another career option could be a wildlife lecturer for Nature clubs and societies in your area. you don't really need any special talents just good photos and confidence. The ones in the club I'm in get paid about £350