London Photography Scene
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- sadpanda
Greetings and Salutations QBN'ers,
My husbands job is sending us to London indefinitely and we're super excited. I'm a photographer coming from a small town in California (Santa Barbara) and looking to grow as an artist.
My question to you all Londoners is whats is the photo scene out there like? Are there jobs out there in Advertising or Magazines? I'm seeking a bit of insight as to what to expect when looking for work either for a company or if I happen to start my own small studio.Thanks!
- ThePublics0
Heaps of competition and they don't like foreigners.
- also, economy is in the shitter. So I'd say prep a studio in advance, just in case.ThePublics
- Thats what I had expected. Ok... thanks
sadpanda
- sadpanda0
What is your experience with London Publics? Do you work much photographers?
- goldieboy0
I can only speak from an editorial point of view, the competition is pretty fierce. When you're here check-out the titles you could work for and want to work for. Cold call the picture editors/directors, send them a link, set-up a meeting. Mag people are always on the look-out for new snappers.
- ThePublics0
I've worked with a number of publications in London, and my experience is, like anywhere, its all about networking (unless you have an immaculate profile) and it's much harder to network in London compared to other cities as per the native's distaste for transients.
That said, I did fine, but watched many other expats fall by the wayside because they couldn't meet anybody. So my only real advice is to temper your liver in preparation as you'll need to start going out as much as possible.
- Most photographers I've worked with are foreigners. Your book is the important thing, not where you're fromgoldieboy
- definitely, but if your book isn't A grade, you need to network.ThePublics
- that said, I've seen great photographers not get work due to not knowing anyone.ThePublics
- truegoldieboy
- sadpanda0
Thanks Publics and Goldie. I will work on the liver and my networking. Thanks gents!
- detritus0
We have three professional photographers living here—one Spanish, always busy here in London. One Brazilian, always working on location (around UK, Europe). Another, Italian, who got fed up with his longtime commercial gig and is taking a year off, working on a building project next door, whilst servicing a few clients and doing the odd product shot.
Suffice to say, they're foreign and busy.
- honest0
Am always on the look out for good photographers, send me a link to your portfolio!
- vaxorcist0
Years ago, I went to a place in London called "the Photographer's Gallery".... nice place, with a coffee bar attached... is it still there?
- goldieboy0
UK lunchtime bump for sadpanda
- Tiffany0
yea its good :D
- maikel0
The fella living upstairs from my previous flat was a fashion/editorial photographer from Berlin. He always had stuff going on. Cool chap, mega friendly and good photographer.
He said about the industry pretty much what we all know... you'll have shit clients that pay well and keep you busy and mega cool clients that will give you work, headaches and very little money but a lot of exposure. Doing a bit of them you'd be fine.