copyright JMG 2007
First let me start by saying this in the most vague and roundabout way possible: FUCK "EMAIL BLASTS"
You're eating. The phone goes off for the tenth fucking time...who's on the other end of the phone? The 100th person who wants you to buy some shit you don't want. You have all your hook-ups. If you want a mechanic/plumber or some shit, you ask your friends. Right. Though I'm sure these phone pests get SOME business, it's nowhere near as much as a business that gets good word of mouth.
NawatImean?
So what does this mean to you? "But random e-mail blasts work" you say. "All the other pro sites recommend it! I've read that editors look at every e-mail they get."
Bullshit, yo. They don't, at least in my opinion. I have never sent one out because statistically it doesn't make sense.
I'm not saying don't send out you portfolio, cuz that's just plain stupid advise. The purpose of this post is to let you in on a little secret that most photogs don't take the time to exploit.
And the word is...COLLABORATION
Yes. Work together.
It works like this. Start at home. Find a freelance writer wherever you are and get to work. Freelance writers are always....well...looking for something to write about.
Get the project started and about half way through, start putting the word out.
Once you have a dozen or so snaps and a few thousand words THEN you can hit up the pubs with a well thought out e-mail which includes a synopsis of the story accompanied by pics.
Will it work every time? No. Of course not. But if you work this strategy, especially on LOCAL mags, you may be surprised with what you find.
My experience with the above is this:
I was listening to a music podcast from England when a local hip-hop artist was interviewed. The next day, I sent a FB message to the journo who interviewed her, with a proposition of collabing on print story about the star. I lived in the same city as the star and could shoot her from here.
Though the writer was too busy she passed me over to a friend at a major London-based fashion mag who was really interested in not the artist, but an overall story about the city's music scene. The mag editor looked at my photos and was down with doing a story. I'm now shooting a second, more national story for them and my foot is DEF in the door.
It's a TOUGH bizzy out there, but check it, there are ways in. You just have to BE ORIGINAL in your thinking. Don't just send shit out and expect a call back.
But don't take my word for it. Let this douche bag spell it out for you. In the photo world, he gets the client, while the dudes at the desk are waiting to "hear back " from the e-mail blasts.
First let me start by saying this in the most vague and roundabout way possible: FUCK "EMAIL BLASTS"
You're eating. The phone goes off for the tenth fucking time...who's on the other end of the phone? The 100th person who wants you to buy some shit you don't want. You have all your hook-ups. If you want a mechanic/plumber or some shit, you ask your friends. Right. Though I'm sure these phone pests get SOME business, it's nowhere near as much as a business that gets good word of mouth.
NawatImean?
So what does this mean to you? "But random e-mail blasts work" you say. "All the other pro sites recommend it! I've read that editors look at every e-mail they get."
Bullshit, yo. They don't, at least in my opinion. I have never sent one out because statistically it doesn't make sense.
I'm not saying don't send out you portfolio, cuz that's just plain stupid advise. The purpose of this post is to let you in on a little secret that most photogs don't take the time to exploit.
And the word is...COLLABORATION
Yes. Work together.
It works like this. Start at home. Find a freelance writer wherever you are and get to work. Freelance writers are always....well...looking for something to write about.
Get the project started and about half way through, start putting the word out.
Once you have a dozen or so snaps and a few thousand words THEN you can hit up the pubs with a well thought out e-mail which includes a synopsis of the story accompanied by pics.
Will it work every time? No. Of course not. But if you work this strategy, especially on LOCAL mags, you may be surprised with what you find.
My experience with the above is this:
I was listening to a music podcast from England when a local hip-hop artist was interviewed. The next day, I sent a FB message to the journo who interviewed her, with a proposition of collabing on print story about the star. I lived in the same city as the star and could shoot her from here.
Though the writer was too busy she passed me over to a friend at a major London-based fashion mag who was really interested in not the artist, but an overall story about the city's music scene. The mag editor looked at my photos and was down with doing a story. I'm now shooting a second, more national story for them and my foot is DEF in the door.
It's a TOUGH bizzy out there, but check it, there are ways in. You just have to BE ORIGINAL in your thinking. Don't just send shit out and expect a call back.
But don't take my word for it. Let this douche bag spell it out for you. In the photo world, he gets the client, while the dudes at the desk are waiting to "hear back " from the e-mail blasts.
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