Photography work experience? Warning Rant

[Manic311]

Hey all, beware this is a semi rant lol and I hope this is the right place for it.

Just wondering where I could seek some photography work experience in Perth?

I shall begin with the rant first, beginning of yr11 we all had the chance to pick the subjects we wanted that would help us with what ever goals we had for when we left school, so because I love photography so much I decided I would pursue a career in photography and chose that subject for Yr11/yr12

2007 comes and I begin the new year in Yr11 and am told that the photography course has been canceled and I have been put into geology! Enraged I went to the principle and complained but he couldn't do anything...

Anyway, off goes 2007 and I find myself in Yr12 without photography so instead I choose to do some IT related work experience. So I do and after 6 or so months being a tech at Storm Computers I am finally offered a job and I am currently happily working my butt off there every Saturday earning my camera money xD

But here is the thing, after I finished the school work experience program I find out that the photography course had not been canceled and that many students actually did work experience with photography agencies and such, they lied because the class was full at the beginning but even a week in positions had become available and no one told me anything!!!!

So now I am completely pissed off that I was robbed of my choice of career!

So basically I just want to do this on my own now but I have no contacts or anything, dad was a photographer a long time ago in Europe he did weddings mostly but apart from everything I have learn from him he can't do anything here ie no contacts.

Can anyone tell me what I should do and how I should go about doing it?

[team piggy]

Crikey!

I would personally be approaching your state school authority board (or whatever they are called this month) Education dept?
State your case to them and see what recourse you can have, that really sucks!

I would be pushing for a all expenses paid course at one of the uni's or Tafes that will bring you to a level that your school course would have! (But dont hold your breath!)
If that doesnt satisfy your pissed-offyness then maybe a well worded complaint to your member of parliment? Or take it further if you feel really badly about it and have well documented proof. The media?

But again. make sure you have documented stuff to prove it, as you will need it is you want to start fence kicking.

Good luck and a sad story

[Manic311]

Thanks for that, but I don' think it's worth my effort wasting more time. Stuff like this would drag on and on. What I am after is a plan of attack to get me some work exp? I finish year 12 in 2 weeks and after that I am on my own, well I am on my own as it is...

[Bluebell]

Sounds like you have the kind of positive attitude that will get you where you want to go without a school based course.
I think it would be unproductive to pursue a high level complaint as schools are only required to provide every student with the basics of Maths and Literacy.
Courses such as Photography are only offered on a "first come, first served basis" and are offered as class sizes dictate, and if suitably qualified teachers are available.
Don't think of it as being robbed of your choice of career, think instead that you have an opportunity to follow your dream in your own unique way.
In the meantime, since you are still at school, how about approaching the Photography course co-ordinator and asking for some help in that regard.
Perhaps they can point you towards some of the work experience contacts they have.
Good Luck

[Pa]

some of the tafes in nsw do photography courses i assume it's the same in wa...untill you have contacts you maybe able to do a course.

never hurts to add to your knowlege.

[losfp]

So now I am completely pissed off that I was robbed of my choice of career!

I'm sorry Manic, but things happen. This just sounds like a bit of a whinge. They robbed you of your chosen career choice because they didn't let you do a subject and a week's work experience in year 11? Give me a break. It sounds like you have plenty of passion and drive, and you should use that to get you to where you need to be to pursue this career.

Photography courses in TAFE or uni. Call up all the photographers you can find in the yellow pages and see if they need any assistants. Take photos of school functions for experience. Take photos of family events for experience.

Trust me, it's not the end of the world, and it's never too late to pursue what you want to do (provided you even really know what you want to do yet).

I wanted to do computer systems engineering in uni, but only got into electrical engineering. Did that for four frustrating years before realising that was just not what I wanted to do so I went and did a course in web development. Did that sort of work for a few years and now I am doing more project management and consulting work. Not getting that work experience in year 11 is NOT going to be a major problem for you if you approach this with the right attitude. Now get to it!

[PiroStitch]

Best way is to prove them wrong. In a way, not being accepted has probably been better for you as it's give you more passion to go for what you want.

There are always TAFE courses as has been mentioned, or you could even look at applying for a photography major or Art major in university.

All the best with whatever you decide.

[DaveB]

Think of it this way: you've learnt a bunch of skills that should help you support yourself when the photography work is in a lull. Photography is a hard gig to earn your sole income from, and having backup skills is always good.
Also, I know LOTS of people (including myself) who are now in jobs that aren't directly related to what they studied at uni. What you learn at school (including tertiary study) gives you background knowledge and sets you up for future learning, but you'll continually be learning "on the job" through your working life. After a few years, the specifics of what you learnt at school may not be relevant.

You can investigate part-time TAFE study while earning money elsewhere, and in fact the TAFE qualification and the industry contacts that the college should be able to provide you will probably be more useful in finding photography work than any high-school study would. Or you could search around and make your own contacts.
There are lots of options: don't despair!

[Manic311]

Hey, thank you for the detailed replies.

My plans for next are a photo imaging course at tafe which leads into photography and a diploma of photography. And I work as PC tech so that should all be good. I was hoping I could fine some extra things so I could be at least ahead of the others a bit. Should I phone around asking for work exp?

[garyr]

DaveB - that is some sage advice!

Manic - it is getting to the silly season, many Santa's looking for helpers for their photogs - probably about the best time of the year to get some work experience and learn not just about photography but about dealing with people too. Good luck mate, go chase that dream!

[Manic311]

The santa idea I actually like! I will go hit some shopping centers, btw I upgraded to a D90 today I love having a job.

[snappd]

Hey Manic

You are fortunate that at least you know what you want to do with your life once you leave school.... & you have your whole life ahead of you to do it! When I left school I had no idea what path I wanted to take, & even though I was interested in photography it never occurred to me that I could make a career out of it. Now at 43 I am realizing that this is what I want to do & I have wasted so much time, I don't know if I will ever make it!

So my advice would be, do the TAFE course..... opportunities will arise from that to get work experience etc, join a photography club.......oh yeah, & enjoy yourself....you are in a great position!

[gstark]

The santa idea I actually like! I will go hit some shopping centers.

Most santa jobs are handled through companies that shoot santas/schools etc.

Look in the local posies vacant, and look for the people who do this sort of work and give them a call.

[methd]

... you don't need to study photography at an institution to become a photographer

so don't worry.

[the foto fanatic]

Many cities (or even suburbs) have free newspapers that provide information of local interest.

The one for my suburb here in Brisbane just had a little note in it to say that they needed a photographer to capture images of local events, buildings etc, etc.

The wording seemed to suggest that they were not looking for a full-time photographer, but rather someone who could do some part-time work as required.

Why don't you gather the names of any of the local newspapers and approach them? You may find an opportunity.