I could really use some advice. I would like to know what I'm doing wrong. It seems that I'm getting turned down for alot of things lately, and it's getting really frustrating. Is the problem my website? Is it the photos? I've tried and tried to get on with local publications here, and have had absolutely no luck. I'm had a few photopass requests that have recently been rejected. I had figured that it was because I'm freelance. I just noticed however a friend of mine got credentials to shoot a show that i was turned down for just a couple of weeks ago. She is also freelance...which makes me wonder what I need to do differently.
my website is at www.concertshots.net
Any critique or advice is extremely appreciated.!
Thanks! Sam
The only publications I have to date, were after the fact. The Day Newspaper in CT, and NME (who never did pay me, btw) and Musicians on Call. A majority of the photos I've taken have only been used by the artists or their mgmt. That's the problem I'm running into. I want to find a publication, but like you said, it really is a catch 22.
Have you been paid by the artists or their management? Do you have any written license agreements with them? You can always sell yourself to publications as having worked with <name them> artists, and give a list of places where you work was used (which CD, where on the website, what piece(s) of merchandise, etc).
Yes, I was paid for most of the artist/mgmt photos. When I was first starting out I wasnt as i was trying to build a portfolio up. At the time (and I've learned the hard way since then) I didn't have written contracts, just alot of correspondence beforehand on pricing & where and how the photos could be used. Most of the bands aren't that big though. It sounds like I need to do a bio that shows what I've done & who I've worked with & list it on the website. I'm just afraid it would do more harm than good, since I have no major publications except NME.
Kind of to your point ..
http://markstoutphotography.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/the-free-exposure-t...
Were your images published anywhere? Maybe with each photo album you can say "for <publication>" to indicate you were on assignment for said publication. That might lend more credibility than just displaying images. Most publicists want to know that you are on assignment. Most publications want to know who else you have shot for. It is a catch 22 when you have no resumé of publications on which to bank your credibility to other publications. We all face that problem.
It appears you have photographed a great many shows based on the number of albums on your site. If you photographed them on assignment, name the publications. If you have licensed work after-the-fact, name those publications too. Have any tear sheets? Post them on a Bio or Credits page.
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