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No one ever says anything actually useful about freelancing.

Like any type of self-employment, promotions and marketing are key to attracting paying clients.

Talent, skill, equipment - those are fairly low barriers to entry.

...and the pension plan SUCKS. Imagine how much money you need to save to provide yourself with a modicum of retirement income. Can you save a few hundred thousand dollars by age 65?

....and the disability plan sucks. If you get injured (i.e. lose/impaired sight, loss of the use of an arm/leg) how will the bills/rent/mortgage get paid? You could be one unfortunate accident away from ruin.

The point is to showcase how difficult it is to freelance and actually make money at it.

If you do, feel free to contribute that information.

Oh snap!

....it's called insurance. And it's pretty much a necessity for the self-employed.

I suppose it's in the best interest of the freelancers to express how difficult it is - this way it turns off/away potential competition.

I don't, that's why it's frustrating. Everything I've read about freelancing online is just like 'oh it's so hard la la la'. Which I recognize. However, actually trying to get into freelancing, without having gone to school and being taught these things, or having someone to mentor me, is really difficult. I don't know how to actually freelance. All anyone ever says is 'it's hard'. There are very few resources of any use to people looking to start.

Sadly - there is no book on it. Those who are good at it are too busy to be teaching others how to do it. I think self-employment is a calling - either you want to be an entrepreneur or you need a regular paycheck. I'm not trying to oversimplify - just speaking from experience. I'm self-employed and have worked for large multi-nations, Canada's largest law firm and small business. In the end, I'm happiest working for myself, using my talents, sweat and tears to make bread.

My suggestion is to speak to a successful entrepreneur/small business owner that you know and respect - or better yet, go work for one even if it's not in the area you want to build a business in, and learn how to set up and operate a business, how to promote yourself and your business, how to market, retain and keep clients.

You have a talent for photography and that is the easy part - you will continue to hone your skills and develop your vision no matter what. The key is to develop the business skills that are essential for you to translate your talent into a profitable business.

Good luck.

That's what it's called? I had no idea.

I'll check the Henry's website for more info. Thanks.

Well put Ken.

I've met a few freelance pros and didn't rate their work as high as some amateur photogs. What sets these freelancers apart from the amateurs is their business acumen.

The world is full of talented photographers - but not all of them are good businessmen.
I doubt if Ray Kroc could cook a real good burger - but he was able to build a burger empire - McDonalds.

Downtown Camera rates maybe lower.

Maybe you've seen this already, but I've heard this book is good and it actually has a chapter on freelancing.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/1 ... arrington/

Well, fortunately I was raised by a successful freelance graphic designer and a small, independent bookstore owner so I certainly know about how hard it is to do freelance work and to run a small business (but also how to make that work). It's more the specifics of freelancing that are tricky. Knowing who to call, what to say, what to charge, etc etc is difficult. I haven't put too much time into really figuring that out yet - I have a stable photography job and enough work on the side to keep me busy for the next 8 months so I don't really need to right now. It's after that, and after I leave Peterborough where I've built a little bit of a reputation, that I'm concerned for.

Thanks, Ken.

Thanks for the book suggestion! Looks like I'm able to get it through the Ontario Universities library system so I should have it in a few weeks!

Reading between the lines, i think there is great advice and passion in the comments shared by these people. I wish them all the best and they should feel proud that they want to do what they love.