That’s it, I’ve finally become a full time photographer. The road to my dream job has been long and curvy. The last three months felt especially long and slow, because when I resigned my day-time job I was so excited about where I’m heading to. However my notice period felt like never-ending time. Yet, here we are. This is my story of becoming a full time photographer here in Norway.
Started photographing rock-concerts and festivals
My photography dream started easy and innocent. I was 17, I was in love with photography. I carried my mirror-lens film camera everywhere, and I photographed everything and anything.
I’ve been taking photos at typical teenager gatherings: rock-concerts, festivals, sports and so on. And I noticed a young photo-journalist from a local paper who always attended the same events. Difference between us was that he got paid for what he did, and I didn’t. This is when a thought stroke me: it would be cool to have a job like that. To photograph cool events and get paid for this.
Be aware of your dreams
Few months later I participated in a photo-contest in a local paper called “Dvazhdy Dva” (the same paper this guy worked for). I sent few photos, and after couple of days the chief editor (may he rest in peace) called me and offered me a job.
Little did I know that besides taking photos I was supposed to be writing too… But I’m an easy going person, so when an opportunity shows up, I take it and I handle it afterwards. Because, seriously, how often does an 18 years old student get a job offer from the biggest and coolest newspaper in town?
The editor asked me to write a letter
I never had a real job interview in order to get this journalist job. The editor asked me to write a letter, which I did. I don’t even think my letter was any good, but I got the job in this newspaper. So it must have been good enough, right? Now I could combine my biggest passion with my everyday job and I got paid for it as well. This was pure luck!
Remember that young guy I mentioned earlier? Funny thing, after being my colleague for a little while, he moved to Moscow. Therefore I kind of got his job and responsibilities. A little thought here and there can really become true in some cases! Be careful of what you’re dreaming! It might just become true!
Freelancer and full-time photojournalist
I’ve been working in this newspaper for the entire university time (while I’ve been getting degree of a mining engineer). When I was done studying, I got a full-time job in the newspaper. It has never been a question to me, because I loved this job!
In 2008 I went to a photography school in Moscow and I could sit in full fascination and listen to every word coming out of the teacher’s mouth. The only one kind of lectures I attended before that I appreciated that much was at art school for children and youth that I graduated with A-grades. Then I knew that photography was what I wanted to do full time, but back then it was totally fine to combine it with journalism.
Opened my first photo studio when I needed extra money
Spring 2010 I knew I was going to move to Norway, so I needed extra money. Procedure to get to Norway was challenging in many ways, also economically. Therefore every penny counted!
This is when I opened my very first own photo studio. This was totally hand-made and tiny, but it worked out just well for my purpose! I had a black background I placed on a wall in my apartment, I had simple studio lights, and voila – improvised studio was ready.
Well known and recognized in town
Back then, I don’t even remember how I started to advertise for photo sessions in my studio and outdoors in my hometown. But everybody knew my name from the paper (at that point I was in journalism for 5,5 years), so people just trusted me as a photographer and they came to take pictures!
I started photographing young students from the same university I went to myself, and then word of mouth has spread itself very quickly. All of a sudden, every student girl (and occasionally a boy!) needed a new profile picture for their social media, or some new photos to share with their boyfriend/girlfriend.
That summer I took my first paid jobs as a wedding photographer. I photographed weddings before as well, but it was mostly for my friends and colleagues, ergo non-paid. Now I was earning money as a wedding photographer and saving it for my big bright future in Norway.
Starting as a photographer all over again – long way to become a full time photographer
When I started my photography business in Norway, I had to begin completely from scratch. While in Russia I had a well-built reputation as a journalist and photographer, none knew me as a photographer here in Alta.
The only link to this branch was that I studied media in a local university in Alta few years ago, and that I am married to a journalist. Maybe it helped, maybe not, but I felt like I had to fight my way through the high level of competition here in town.
Hard way getting there – when I finally become a full time photographer
For some of you it might seem like everything has just gone my way and was easy and fast for me… Because let’s face it – not everybody is ready to start full-time career after only 10 months in the branch.
However, this was not easy at all! For every single thing I have achieved in my life I had to fight hard! And starting and running my own business might be my life’s biggest achievement.
Working my ass off in order to become a full time photographer
While some customers just showed up themselves, I had to spend hundreds of hours marketing on many levels and searching for new clients. Every single day, month after month.
For the last half a year I’ve been working on my photography brand like 40+ hours/week in addition to my day-time job at Sibelco. In total, this means around 80+ hours/week including daily boat trips to the island. My time at the boat I used for reading and watching video on all kind of photography subjects. If you think this is easy – try it yourself, and tell me how It feels!
Yes, photography has always been my hobby and big passion, so I really enjoyed the process of growing my brand. However, combining two jobs like these and family life wasn’t easy.
No rest
Between September and Christmas I don’t think I allowed myself to relax any single evening. Once my kids were in bed I went to work. I went to take pictures, I edited pictures, I updated my website and social media, I answered emails and so on. I went to bed at midnight and was up at 5.20 to catch the boat to Stjernøy. Day after day, month after month.
The only time I allowed myself to take off was between Christmas and New Year. I even felt guilty about not working with photography these days, even though I felt it was totally necessary! First of January I was back on track again!
No low photography seasons here
While other entrepreneurs might be slowing down their business in lower seasons of the year, I’ve been working like crazy regardless season. Because when you have lower season and less bookings, it’s an amazing opportunity to use your time to work on other parts of your business – which you normally don’t have time for.
I believe that constant improvement in all the areas of your business is the way to keep your company and brand growing. Those who don’t develop their profesional skills, keep mediocre customer service and overall impression of their brand – they will stand still.
Constant improvement
Every single day after I registered my day-time job I’ve been improving my skills on many levels. Both as a photographer, but also as a manager and service person. I really hope you can see my improvements, especially those of you who followed me from the beginning (thanks for that, by the way)!
I did a big step forward when I decided to go into photography full time. It’s a tough decision, but I’m very positive about it and I’m looking so much forward to have it as my one and only job! I really believe that if you never try, you’ll never get what you want. No guts, no glory, people.
If you have any special events coming or just want to capture cozy moments of your everyday life, photography is one of the best ways to create good memories!
