Hello. I need some advice. A friend of mine wants to drop out of school to be a freelance photographer… with no secound job or anything. … what should i say?.. or do? He was planning to quit this summer, but he was convinced to go to junior year for the fall for a club hes in till he can find a replacement.
Little bio…
He’s smart but doesnt like to conform to “the man”. He used to try in class but now all he does is play video games and talk to about girls during class.
What should i say, what should i do, and am i being a horrible friend?
Here are his classes if they matter… for fall
AP English lang comp
Algebra 2
AP Physics 1
AP Us history
Jornalism 1
Academic Decatholon 3
Latin 1
Principles of health
Oh come on, dropping out to be a free Lance photographer in this day and age? Unless he’s related to some ridiculously successful magazine editor he’s not going go anywhere with that honestly. He’s seems like a great student, why doesn’t he just continue on, go to a college and get degreed in photography??
Maybe you could talk to your/his guidance counselor? I would go down to the counselor’s office on his behalf and tell them you are concerned about him and at least the counselor could probably talk to him.
My husband works part time as a photographer— when he’s not teaching high school English.
The number of jobs in the past decade has SERIOUSLY declined. Once film became digital, anyone with a phone thinks he’s a photographer.
To be a “real photographer”- the kind who is hired to work weddings, or the kind hired by a newspaper-- he’ll need some serious equipment. Again, my husband is only part time, but you should see the equipment-- and their cost!! And they start to depreciate the moment he walks out of the store.
OK, as far as what you can tell him: No one in the world is going to hire your friend over my husband… or the thousands of other photographer just like my husband. He’s a 16 year old kid. They’re not going to hire him.
If he wants to become a professional, he needs to:
Get a high school diploma. He’s not getting hired by ANYONE without that degree.
Is there a BOCES kinds of thing in your school for kids who want non-academic career paths? Have him ask in guidance on Tuesday. There may be a way to get high school credits for photography coursework at a local CC, for example.
Look into schools that offer photography. He's going to have to learn a LOT!!! There's a whole lot more to this craft than simply pointing your camera at something. He'll need to know about light ratios and about filters and about which lens works best for what situations. Taking a photo at a track meet is an entirely different matter from taking one at a wedding, and he'll need the knowledge and the equipment for both. Realistically, if the hopes to get hired, the only thing that's going to give him any credibility in the beginning will be a degree.
-Suggest that he today, he write up a letter and send it to every local photographer he can find. (Look into the photographer that does your school yearbook pictures, as well as any you can find online.) Have him ask if he can be an intern, an gopher, or anything else that will get his foot in the door for the summer.
Thank you so much for your advice. Mostly to you Iubaccounting & Bjkmom. I got him to talk to the counselor before the end of school and this summer he called me over to help him look at colleges. Thank you so very much. I hope for the best.