onboard a few of the biggest cruise ships in the world. When I applied, I was not a
professional so had to prove myself. I gained alot of experience in that job. Good communication skills and contact with people are essential in my role. I used to spend hours in the photo lab (even on my time off!), editing images in Photoshop and other specialist programmes, doing colour corrections and printing. My experience from the ships helped me to get the job in the London studio. Basically you do not have to finish a
prestige school of photography in order to know this job. A photographer’s job requires years of practice and somewhat a creative mind. However, in the future I would love to do a Masters degree in Fashion Photography and specialize in that field.
What is a typical day? I get to work around 9.20am and open the studio. I make sure the floor is clean (every spot will be visible in the picture!) and the whole place is tidy and organized. I measure the lights and get my equipment ready. I check in
the diary for the times of my sessions. Around 11am I’ll have a photo shoot. Most of my customers are babies and families. If the babies are less than 2 years old, usually you cannot pose them - you sort of need to capture the moments, as they move and make them laugh. After I am done with the session, I download the pictures to the computer and straight away show them to my customers. They choose the product they want to purchase. Around noon I go for a quick lunch break. For the next couple of hours I help customers with placing orders for canvas (the studio I work at is combined with a
canvas store), editing photos and printing canvas.
Occasionally I stretch a canvas or do an old photo restoration. I love working in Photoshop programme! Meanwhile I usually have a few photo sessions. Around 5.30pm I prepare for closing - do the daily sales report, write down a list of pending jobs for the next day. At 6pm the studio is closed.
Do you work to deadlines? Each customer, when placing
an order, is given a time and date of collection. We have to work up-to-date to make sure everybody is happy.
What happens if you don’t manage to meet those deadlines?
For example having just experienced Christmas, we were extremely busy in the studio and canvas store. Most of the photos the
customers bought were meant to be somebody`s Christmas presents. Therefore, we had to and HAVE TO make sure all our orders are done on time!
What are the hours like? Normally, I work about eight and a half hours a day. During Christmas, it can stretch up to twelve hours a day.
Are you passionate about your role?
I absolutely love my job! I enjoy working with people, and photography, right next to travelling, it is my biggest passion. My biggest reward is when a parent has tears in his/her eyes after seeing the final effect of their child`s ses- sion. Then I know I have done a good job.
What advice would you give somebody that wants to
venture into this field? Practice makes a master. I moved to London because I wanted to continue working as a photographer. My hometown in Poland is small and photo
studios there are usually family-owned.
When moving to London, I knew there would be much more competition but that there would be much more demand in the photography field. If you have a dream, be persistant and consistant.
How do you get your kix? Whenever I do a fashion shoot, I get a huge burst of energy. I also love travelling and that brings me whole lot of excitement. I can be saving money for months, just to go for a trip of my dreams. For instance, in 2010 I spent two months travelling around Australia and the Indonesia.
Words by Kym Small
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68