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Resources + support for former staffers

I’m sure we don’t have to tell anyone that there are fewer staff jobs — at newspapers, magazines, and wire services — than there used to be. And in the face of even more cuts, we’ve been impressed to see former staffers adroitly shift gears to freelance editorial, commercial work, collaboration with NGOs, and the fine-art and wedding markets. We decided to do our part too, by developing this online home for resources, stories, and discussion about this sea change for photojournalism and photography in general. Although no one has all the answers, together we can find them — which is why your participation in this “After Staff” project is so important. So please comment, ask, discuss, and reach out. We’re here to help you help each other.

Monday 8/10

RESOURCES
The Transition – Running your own business – Time management – Building a website – Professional organizations

EXPERT OF THE DAY
John Kaplan
Author, Photo Portfolio Success

GROUP THERAPY
How long were you a staff photographer and where? Did you think you’d be a staffer for life? What is the biggest difference between what you’re doing now and what you were doing as a staffer?

A CLOSER LOOK
Sol Neelman – An insightful interview with “weird sports” specialist and former staffer at The (Portland) Oregonian.
Branding – Three photography consultants on why you need to do it and how to make the most of it.

Tuesday 8/11

RESOURCES
Commercial and editorial assignments – The deal with reps – Boosting creativity – Tools for (new) leaders

EXPERT OF THE DAY
Maren Levinson
Founder, Redeye Reps

GROUP THERAPY
What was the hardest or scariest thing for you when you left your staff position? How did you get past it?

A CLOSER LOOK
Nader Khouri – Former Contra Costa Times photographer talks about his successful transition to commercial
VJ Workshop – A recent multimedia workshop bringing together students and recently laid-off photographers

Wednesday 8/12

RESOURCES
Working with NGOs – Writing a photo grant – Grant resources – Lasting relationships with NGOs – Nonprofit reportage centers

EXPERT OF THE DAY
Amy Yenkin
Director, Open Society Institute’s Documentary Photography Project

GROUP THERAPY
What did you do to build awareness of your photography and your new availability?

A CLOSER LOOK
Weyó – Former staffers create a business to help NGOs communicate better through photos
Pro Photo Network – L.A. Times staffers respond to layoffs by building a virtual newsroom

Thursday 8/13

RESOURCES
Wedding photojournalism – Making the bride happy, not an editor – Strength in numbers – Resources

EXPERT OF THE DAY
Rachel LaCour Niesen
Founder, LaCour Photo & ShootQ

GROUP THERAPY
Are you pursuing work beyond photography? Instructing workshops? Speaking engagements? Multimedida?

A CLOSER LOOK
David Leeson – David shares his experiences as a successful video journalist since leaving the Dallas Morning News last year
Rachel’s Tips – After leaving the newsroom many years ago, Rachel LaCour Niesen has gathered lots of good advice for photographers making the same transition into wedding photography

Friday 8/14

RESOURCES
The world of fine art – The fine-art marketplace – Writing artist statements – Selling your prints – Photojournalism-friendly galleries

EXPERT OF THE DAY
Marita Holdaway – Answering your questions right now
Artist Consultant & Founder, Benham Gallery

GROUP THERAPY
What is your favorite thing about what you are doing now? Is there one thing that has been hard to adjust to?

A CLOSER LOOK
Burk Uzzle – The Woodstock chronicler and former Magnum president explains how his work has translated so well to the art market

Bill Owens – After creating his critically-acclaimed Suburbia series in the same town where he was a newspaper photographer, Bill has re-emerged in recent years as an art-world darling