Photography related Job situation in UK

Ian Grant · Jun 9, 2017

Berri said:
I'm following the general election. They don't seem to be doing good are they?

I think that's an understatement

Ian

ozphoto · Jun 9, 2017

Peter Schrager said:
Don't listen to anyone else
Follow your heart and go to London or New York or anywhere and do what you love

Could not agree more! I uprooted from Australia and relocated to the London - the opportunities such a move offered, far outweighed those in my own country. It was the best decision I ever made, despite having no job, no rental accommodation and no connections.

If you have the drive, the tenacity and the willingness to accept that you will be up against a lot of others, and not have that turn you off, you are well on your way to following your dreams.

Almost 20 years later, I've assisted some great photographers, travelled the world for months on end, and relocated to Bangkok where I've resided for the past 10 years.

Don't be afraid to take the leap - the worst thing would be thinking "what if" on your death bed.

Sal Santamaura · Jun 9, 2017

Peter Schrager said:
come to los angeles...

Peter, are you in Los Angeles? If so, your profile location needs updating.

DaveTheWalker · Jun 14, 2017

Berri said:
I would be happy to consider setting up a professional darkroom too, if some of you is interested!

Hey, if you make the move and get one set up - give me a call... I might come and work there, too

Sirius Glass · Jun 14, 2017

Let us know what you decide to do. Back in the 1960's I decided that I could not make enough money in photography directly so I went into electrical engineering.

DaveTheWalker · Jun 15, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Let us know what you decide to do. Back in the 1960's I decided that I could not make enough money in photography directly so I went into electrical engineering.

Haha, funnily enough, I did the same in the late 90s...

I've enjoyed being an Electronics Design Engineer... but I spend most of my time thinking of photography...

Sirius Glass · Jun 15, 2017

I spent part of my career designing remote sensing and operations for Voyager and Galileo projects. On Voyager 1 and 2 I designed the Jupiter closest approach movies and the Jupiter Red Spot movies.

Berri · Jun 15, 2017

I changed my mind, I'm staying home. I'll move to the Republic of Ireland, EU.

foc · Jun 15, 2017

Chéad míle fáilte go hÉirinn
Benvenuti nella Repubblica d'Irlanda

RalphLambrecht · Jun 16, 2017

Berri said:
Thank you, I know that.
Don't worry, I'm not planing to get into UK borders as an illegal immigrant; either UK accept me or I stay where I'm now or move to any other more tollerant european country. I'm confident EU won't send back to britain all the UK citizens living and working in our countries (including my partner), likewise will do UK.
I'm really sorry to disappoint you, but I won't forget the whole idea. I knew britain to be an amazing multicultural country, of which I love almost anythnig, from the landscape to the food, the culture, humor, music and all the different people that made Great Britain really great. I'm not so sure where it's heading these days. by the way, I hope J.Corbyn wins tomorrow.

You like British food?Well, that makes one.

foen · Jun 16, 2017

I'm in the same situation : (

klownshed · Jun 16, 2017

Brexit was mainly voted for by the older age groups. The young of Britain were overwhelmingly in favour of remaining in the EU.

So as somebody born and raised in England, but with an Italian father, I have hope that things will improve in the years to come for my children and we remain a multi cultural and tolerant society.

My mother was working in Italy as an English teacher in the 60s when she met my father. They married and came to England for my father to find work in the days before the UK was part of the EEC.

It worked out Ok for my dad.

I hope that this brexit crap doesn't dissuade too many good people from coming to the UK.

As for photography jobs, there aren't many but there's always opportunity to forge your own path. My local arts university has a darkroom and you have to wonder how many photography students would like to continue to shoot film once they leave but struggle to find facilities.

If you are hard working, committed and dedicated there are always possibilities.

Oh and contrary to what many people believe and state (usually preceded by the words "I'm not a racist, but"); Brexit does not mean an end to immigration. Why they thought that it would beggars belief. Especially as so many immigrants in the U.K. Are from the Commonwealth, not Europe. Or currently from places where they've been displaced due to their homelands being destroyed by US bombing (With Support from their allies and especially the UK).

NJH · Jun 16, 2017

Good post. Like those above I work in engineering for the money but love the photography. You can do pretty much anything in this country, I knew Asian immigrant families when I was growing up that have built up fairly substantial businesses from literally nothing after arriving here with only their talent and determination (Indians fleeing Idi Amin in one case).

foen · Jun 16, 2017

Do you think that los angeles could be fine for photography jobs or you guys are just kiddin'?

Berri · Jun 16, 2017

NJH said:
Good post. Like those above I work in engineering for the money but love the photography. You can do pretty much anything in this country, I knew Asian immigrant families when I was growing up that have built up fairly substantial businesses from literally nothing after arriving here with only their talent and determination (Indians fleeing Idi Amin in one case).

Thanks for for the contribution! I don't know if I could start something up without any money...I wouldn't mind working in a photo lab not necessarily an anaoogic one! I could do other things too like working in bars, restaurant s pubs or hotels since I've got the training and the experience, but I would like to make some changes.

Sirius Glass · Jun 16, 2017

foen said:
Do you think that los angeles could be fine for photography jobs or you guys are just kiddin'?

Because of the movie and television industries there is a need for actors and actresses head shots and of course custom photographic work in Los Angeles.

NJH · Jun 17, 2017

Thanks Berri, I also knew some Italian families as I went to a Catholic school, in one case the guys father worked in an Ice cream factory, another opened a restaurant in town and another was an expert in leather goods manufacture that taught it at the local university (shoes basically in that part of our country). Regardless of how recent events are perceived this is a country that has had a history of being open to immigrants and refugees going back the best part of 2 thousand years, the past year IMHO is much more about many parts of the country where traditional industries where wiped over the past 30 years, and the only thing left is low paid contract work in warehouses or food production where the competition is fierce and pan European.

ian hobbs · Jun 17, 2017

Berri ... this come as a surprise I had to re-read the date of your posting. I am speaking from a antipodean perspective. There are no jobs in darkrooms. There is only a few wet business in our town ( Sydney ) and these are dedicated lovers of the practice, not a career move. That said - having come here in the pursuit of arcane wet processes. I would suggest create a fundable campaign with the appropriate backing and revive some lost film and material processes. I'm sure there is a market for 5x4 and 10x8 Autochromes. I would imagine that you'd need a brilliant industrial chemist and a industrialist and business manager. I imagine with all these things in place you could have a profitable small business. Artisanal goods and services are on the rise because people seek authentic tactile experiences. Classical photographic prints materials and processes can also be delivered to today's market with the right balance of service, cost and branding. Go forth young man and make the world for your own.

Topsy · Jun 17, 2017

I don't have any real advice to offer but I was worried by this statement:

Berri said:
I'm considering the idea of moving from this stagnating italian land

Each time I was in Italy in the past few years I felt like the could be good possibilities compared to Switzerland.
But maybe it's because of the openness of the people?

I suppose FerruB add this comparison.

Seeing that you've decided against the idea though it won't matter anymore.

Do your best to do whatever you love doing and be happy you have found out what it is!

Bob Carnie · Jun 17, 2017

I have a wet lab in Toronto and have been working seriously for the last 35 years as a professional printer. I also own a small Gallery and framing business and do custom digital prints.

to the OP- I opened my business when there was lots of competition and was told I was crazy, today I am one of the few left standing and today while I type I am making negatives for
a large show in gum and Pd.
If you are any good , clients will come to you, it takes time and word of mouth.
Today I think the best way to go about the kind of work I do is learn every thing about framing first..find a live work where you can have a small gallery with small shows.. You will attract clients to not only show , frame and print
but start making a reputation.
The second step would to be get a good Canon or Epson 44 inch printer , after you have your mounting and framing and small space to show.
Then I would start with a very small space within this space a wet room and I would not do silver gelatin but I would do wet contact prints of all sorts... I would get into a relationship with
someone like me and get your digital enlarged negs .. to print... very few of us world wide- one in Germany one in Canada.
Places to start.... Montreal dude... one of the hidden gems in the world.. and there are not a lot of printing and framing services there so time is good, the city has the best food, friendly people, artistically crazy and the rents
are half of the major hubs.

Work backwards and you will be successful...
alternativephotoservices.com is my website if you want to see the kind of stuff we do... and No I do not want any printer staff, but am looking for a good framer to learn all aspects.

Pat Erson · Jun 21, 2017

Berri said:
I knew britain to be an amazing multicultural country, of which I love almost anythnig, from the landscape to the food, the culture, humor, music and all the different people that made Great Britain really great.

You watch too much TV son. Get real... London is in fact a dog-eat-dog multicultural "hub" that chows and spits people at an alarming rate. Like NY, like Shanghai. You're trying to get successful in a city that's already flooded with competition, which imo is not good. Success is being either alone at what you do or the best at what you do.

Listen to Bob's advice : it's not the location, it's how you attract ppl to you and your business. How you make yourself the #1 guy on ppl's list. Start small/local get to the #1 position then you can "hit" the big hubs.

Alan Johnson · Jun 21, 2017

https://www.thebfa.org/members/snappy-snaps-franchises-ltd
In the UK , Snappy Snaps ,a franchise, is the leading high street presence for minilabs.
Appears the staff may have knowledge of photoshop and are paid close to the minimum wage.

Ian Grant · Jun 21, 2017

Alan Johnson said:
https://www.thebfa.org/members/snappy-snaps-franchises-ltd
In the UK , Snappy Snaps ,a franchise, is the leading high street presence for minilabs.
Appears the staff may have knowledge of photoshop and are paid close to the minimum wage.

I used to deal with Snappy Snaps for work, some have disappeared and it's a shrinking market. I did some consultancy work for one owner, he had a few stores.

Many of the staff are very knowledgable and looking to break into photography, few if any do.

The best way in is assisting as has been mentioned earlier, but there's freelance assisting as well as full time jobs. I worked in the same building as an advertisin & commercial photographer actually I wa his landlord - he had a full time assistant. One day a top London photographer came to shoot a project I was doing for the Times newspaper Sunday magazine turned out they'd studied together, he asked my friends day rate (h was way a.t the time), it was a lot less than his London rate, then he then asked how much work he had, too much often 6 days a weeks and evenings, and so at least 5 full days with the assistant helping to achieve more. The London photographer was amazed at best he had 2 or 3 days work a week.

The moral is research the market don't go to the place with greatest competition until your at a level to add something new.

One of the busiest photo studios/shops I've seen in years was on a Greek island, 3 generations covering every need on the island, studio, functions, marriages, christenings etc as well as D&P, camera sales etc, supporting 4 photographer.

Ian

Berri · Jul 5, 2017

Pat Erson said:
You watch too much TV son. Get real... London is in fact a dog-eat-dog multicultural "hub" that chows and spits people at an alarming rate.

That is why I said Britain, not London. Don't patronize me

Berri · Jul 5, 2017

Pat Erson said:
You watch too much TV son. Get real... London is in fact a dog-eat-dog multicultural "hub" that chows and spits people at an alarming rate. Like NY, like Shanghai. You're trying to get successful in a city that's already flooded with competition, which imo is not good. Success is being either alone at what you do or the best at what you do.

Listen to Bob's advice : it's not the location, it's how you attract ppl to you and your business. How you make yourself the #1 guy on ppl's list. Start small/local get to the #1 position then you can "hit" the big hubs.

and, I never said I want to be f***ing number one, just getting a job in that business would do.

Photography related Job situation in UK

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