Work/Job/Career

[Myz]

I wanted to ask anyone, specifically Lesa, about anything they can tell me with respect to how to make money with knowledge of photo editing. And a great sense of creativity
I hear restoring old photo's can be a big business, and you can use photo shop for that, but what other ways, or areas can the experience with this be useful?
what are some places that are good to work for, types of business and what not.
Im in a multimedia course right now, doing some webdesign, photo editing, flash stuff..
any advice for me after april? (when i graduate)
im quite scared :eek:

[Lesa]

There's a gazillion ways to make money using Photoshop from retouching photos, creating graphics for ad agencies, building web sites, scrapbooking, and on and on. You're on the right track already; you're getting involved online. Continue doing just that; the more you get your name out there in various forums, newsgroups, etc. (preferably with a link to your own web site), the better. Word of mouth is the best advertisement in the galaxy.

I'm sure others who persuse this forum will have some ideas, though in my humble opinion, the yellow brick road starts with getting yourself a web site where you can show off what you do. An easiy navigable, visually pleasing site showcasing your work that is optimized properly for the search engines on key phrases you think folks would most likely use to find you, is your very best bet. Build it, optimize it properly for Google, and they will come ;)

Consider joining a professional association who can help with finding clients, such as the Nat'l. Assoc. of Photoshop Professionals (http://www.photoshopuser.com). It'll be the best $99/year you ever spend. It's an international group of 75,000+ members in 13 different countries. One of the member benefits is access to a web site which includes a job bank, along with a place to post your work and resume (there's also a classified-type area for those looking to provide and hire services). My favorite thing about NAPP is the 24/7 help desk. Ask as many questions as you want and get an answer back from a Photoshop book author, Pete Bauer. Can't beat that. There are also tons of tutorials available, with new ones posted each week (both text and video).

See if there are any local photography or computer groups in your area. I started my first business after joining my local Mac User Group. Getting involved in a community group is a great way to network. Does the school you're attending have a newsletter or web site? You might consider posting an ad in something like that. Is there a community rag (here in Nashville ours is called "The Rage") that's distributed freely in your area?

Make yourself some business cards and take them to local print shops like FedEx Kinkos, Alpha Graphics, or whatever you have in your area. Lots of times walk-ins don't want to pay their creative prices, and if they can refer a local freelancer, they're usually happy to do it. Anything to please the customer and all that :)

Of course there are big job bank sites like Monster.com where you can post your resume. There might even be a temp agency specializing in creative talent in your area.

Spend an afternoon in the bookstore and peruse all the Photoshop magazines you can find (there are some great ones from the UK, but they're pricey--have a cup of coffee and read it while you're there). Oftentimes they have articles geared toward freelancers and offer sage advice for starting out on your own. You could also do a Google search on the keyphrase: freelancing photoshop tips.

Never fear! I have a feeling you'll do GREAT!