Chris Brown has worked on and off as a photographer since he graduated from Sheridan College in 2020.Nick Iwanyshyn/The Globe and Mail
Name, age: Chris Brown, 32
Education: Bachelor of Photography from Sheridan College (2020)
Where he lives: Burlington, Ont.
His dream job: A full-time position doing anything photography-related
Roles targeted: Photographer, videographer, digital content creator, digital media assistant, digital marketing co-ordinator
The job search so far: Since graduating in 2020, Mr. Brown has worked on and off as a photographer. These days, that role requires a multitude of skills, including social media management, launching e-commerce campaigns, creating in-store marketing assets, and video production across multiple platforms.
This 21-year-old finance grad received 30 job rejections. What should he do to get hired?
In 2022, Mr. Brown left his job as a lead product photographer and social media co-ordinator for a furniture company to work in retail. The move away from his preferred industry was difficult, but he says the pay wasn’t enough. “I was basically expected to do the work of about four different departments, and I was only making around $16 an hour, on top of commuting,” he says.
In October, he was laid off from his retail job and he’s been trying to re-enter the photography field. He’s applied to more than 550 jobs this year, through Indeed and similar job-seeking platforms. He has done cold calls, gone to networking events, and tailored his résumé and cover letters for specific job postings. Though he landed two preliminary phone interviews, neither have led to employment.
His main challenge: Mr. Brown feels he’s been out of the industry for too long and lacks relevant experience. Though he has strong portfolio pieces, he says some employers have suggested it is not industry-specific.
For example, he has shot commercials and his images have been used on billboards. “But when I’ve explained that in job interviews, they kind of shrug at me and say, ‘Well, that’s great, but can you shoot a TikTok for a used car dealership?’” he said.
Betty Xie, a creative career coach based in Toronto, understands Mr. Brown may feel like he’s been out of the game for a while, but that’s normal among creatives. “Many clients that come to me have worked for 20 years and they still feel like they’re starting from scratch,” she said. Here’s how Mr. Brown can leverage his existing skills to land a job in his field, according to Ms. Xie.
Tell a compelling story
Currently, Mr. Brown has a website with photos he’s shot for companies and businesses. It’s a scrolling home page without any text. “I saw a spread of photos, but they’re not articulating who are the past clients he worked with, and what was the value proposition he brought,” Ms. Xie said.
Instead, Ms. Xie suggests portfolio items be regrouped under specific headings, such as product, event or portrait photography. These categories could even have dedicated landing pages, with a selection of images grouped together from a particular campaign.
Crucially, Mr. Brown should add a one-line summary description to each photo set, similar to what one would find on a résumé. For example: “Designed in-store promotional material distributed across 50 retail locations nationwide.”
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Written elements like these will help employers understand areas of expertise and impact. “Make it as easy as possible for your potential employer to immediately understand what your strengths are as a photographer,” Ms. Xie said.
“As a creative, employers are hiring you to tell a compelling story, so you’ve got to do a really good job telling your own story first.”
Act as your own manager
Ms. Xie said the photography industry has changed a lot over the past decade, so Mr. Brown should retool his expectations for target companies. For example, a marketing agency may have switched from hiring in-house photographers to contracts with freelancers. Meanwhile, a university could be looking for a full-time multimedia manager who needs to do photography, edit videos, or manage multimedia assets.
With this in mind, Ms. Xie suggests he move away from the job-seeker mindset. Embodying this entrepreneurial mindset will serve his career well – and boost confidence during the job hunt. Ms. Xie says many working photographers have clients on the side to tap into multiple streams of income, whether it’s editorial work, corporate shoots, weddings, events, or portraits.
“Regardless of whether your next job is full-time or part-time, if you want to thrive, think of yourself as both the photographer and your talent manager,” she says.
Offer packages to build portfolio
Here’s an action Mr. Brown can take today: post on his personal Instagram account that he’s looking to update his photography portfolio. He can contact small businesses, such as a local coffee shop or a gym, and offer a discounted rate for high-quality photography services. It’s a win-win: businesses get fresh assets, while Mr. Brown has new portfolio items to add to his website – along with that crucial text summarizing the goal or impact.
Mr. Brown can also ask new or existing clients for testimonials to use on his website. This will boost his confidence and serve as an important reminder: he has in-demand technical skills, he’s done great work, and a degree in photography. “That’s amazing,” Ms. Xie said. “And he’s not starting from scratch.”
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