Do you want to start as a professional photographer in Ireland ?
in [UK Photography]
|
Prev: Police stop church photographer under terrorism powers
Next: Getting 12" x 12" (or therabouts) enprints from AGFA RAPID film.
From: Michael McGrath, Portraitist . on 6 Feb 2010 10:16 http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.photo.adverts/browse_thread/thread/456056fb5f9da22a#
From: Chris H on 7 Feb 2010 05:06 In message <5590db4e-1e7a-4da8-810c-bba8bbd7910e(a)b2g2000yqi.googlegroups ..com>, "Michael McGrath, Portraitist ." <photographerofkilkenny(a)gmail.co m> writes >http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.photo.adverts/browse_thread/threa >d/456056fb5f9da22a# Anything that looks to good to be true usually is. Especially "get rich" schemes.... Also I don't know any professionals with the profile being suggested who are no inundated with requests from people wanting to be an assistant for them. -- \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
From: Michael McGrath, Portraitist . on 7 Feb 2010 08:27 On 7 Feb, 10:06, Chris H <ch...(a)phaedsys.org> wrote: > In message <5590db4e-1e7a-4da8-810c-bba8bbd79...(a)b2g2000yqi.googlegroups > .com>, "Michael McGrath, Portraitist ." <photographerofkilke...(a)gmail.co > m> writes > > >http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.photo.adverts/browse_thread/threa > >d/456056fb5f9da22a# > > Anything that looks to good to be true usually is. Especially "get rich" > schemes.... > > Also I don't know any professionals with the profile being suggested who > are no inundated with requests from people wanting to be an assistant > for them. > > -- > \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ > \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/ > \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Yes, Chris, you would be right were I a studio principal in London or Paris or on Cosmopolitan or such - but this is not the case in a small city in rural Ireland ( where I DO have many local applications , but I prefer ( personal preference based on wisdom ) NOT to have that local involvement with their families etc such as you always get here in Ireland ( I speak from long experience) , and none of the applicants I have would make competent professional photographers - they would make better civil servants, bank clerks etc, plumbers etc, with their attitudes - so I prefer to have a competent photographer join me as partner from the UK or Europe - especially as they would bring a different perspective from a wholly different environment , and as I say UK photographers, again in my long life experience, go down really well here in Ireland and are very good for BUSINESS. That way we all avoid local relationships and get on with developing the business. I am to talk to some people who have applied from the NCAD ( National College of Art and Design ) in Dublin , but again I am not hopeful of getting the axact right person, even from there, or from the Bolton Street Photographic Diploma Course in Dublin , not even from the Dun Laoighaire College of Art and Design ( Film Course ) , mostly because they tend to be too academic - I find , again through actual experience, that a person who has failed their college/university exams is usually better for this life career, Drop Outs are usally the best :-) And though London-based studios are inundated with applicants, as you state, they find it every bit as hard as provincial Irish photographers like I do, to get the specific talent we each require . It's a matter of " horses for courses", difficult to explain, somebody who is a good " Mucker- In " , somebody who is not conservative yet not regimented leftist, someone who is not part of the mob, best described as an outsider who knows the mob, and doesn't feel like ever being part of it , and above all, a lateral thinker . Such people are rare . And " get rich quick" is NOT offered, but the successful person will know how to make themselves rich , and have the opportunity to do so , there's a huge difference here , that's the person I am looking for . And, on the other hand, even if the chosen person doesn't stay, six months or a year on your CV as a Professional Photographer in Ireland will do them no harm at all - and greatly help to build a fabulous portfolio too ! But it's damned hard to find an artist, let alone recruit one !!! Cheers, Michael .
From: Chris H on 7 Feb 2010 11:17 In message <c82419ab-4bcf-4c8c-9254-9216e8ee1cc0(a)f12g2000yqn.googlegroup s.com>, "Michael McGrath, Portraitist ." <photographerofkilkenny(a)gmail.c om> writes >On 7 Feb, 10:06, Chris H <ch...(a)phaedsys.org> wrote: >> In message <5590db4e-1e7a-4da8-810c-bba8bbd79...(a)b2g2000yqi.googlegroups >> .com>, "Michael McGrath, Portraitist ." <photographerofkilke...(a)gmail.co >> m> writes >> >> >http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.photo.adverts/browse_thread/threa >> >d/456056fb5f9da22a# >> >> Anything that looks to good to be true usually is. Especially "get rich" >> schemes.... >> >> Also I don't know any professionals with the profile being suggested who >> are no inundated with requests from people wanting to be an assistant >> for them. > >Yes, Chris, you would be right were I a studio principal in London or >Paris or on Cosmopolitan or such - but this is not the case in a small >city in rural Ireland ( where I DO have many local applications , but >I prefer ( personal preference based on wisdom ) NOT to have that >local involvement with their families etc such as you always get here >in Ireland ( I speak from long experience) , and none of the >applicants I have would make competent professional photographers - >they would make better civil servants, bank clerks etc, plumbers etc, >with their attitudes - so I prefer to have a competent photographer >join me as partner from the UK or Europe - especially as they would >bring a different perspective from a wholly different environment , >and as I say UK photographers, again in my long life experience, go >down really well here in Ireland and are very good for BUSINESS. That >way we all avoid local relationships and get on with developing the >business. > >I am to talk to some people who have applied from the NCAD ( National >College of Art and Design ) in Dublin , but again I am not hopeful of >getting the axact right person, even from there, or from the Bolton >Street Photographic Diploma Course in Dublin , not even from the Dun >Laoighaire College of Art and Design ( Film Course ) , mostly because >they tend to be too academic - I find , again through actual >experience, that a person who has failed their college/university >exams is usually better for this life career, Drop Outs are usally the >best :-) > >And though London-based studios are inundated with applicants, as you >state, they find it every bit as hard as provincial Irish >photographers like I do, to get the specific talent we each require . > >It's a matter of " horses for courses", difficult to explain, somebody >who is a good " Mucker- In " , somebody who is not conservative yet >not regimented leftist, someone who is not part of the mob, best >described as an outsider who knows the mob, and doesn't feel like ever >being part of it , and above all, a lateral thinker . Such people are >rare . > >And " get rich quick" is NOT offered, but the successful person will >know how to make themselves rich , and have the opportunity to do so , >there's a huge difference here , that's the person I am looking for . > >And, on the other hand, even if the chosen person doesn't stay, six >months or a year on your CV as a Professional Photographer in Ireland >will do them no harm at all - and greatly help to build a fabulous >portfolio too ! > >But it's damned hard to find an artist, let alone recruit one !!! > >Cheers, >Michael . > Is this you? http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/66/53608466.html or this one? http://www.browseireland.com/Business/Photography_Services/more2.shtml Christendom Photography Website of Michael Mc Grath and Christendom Photography, base in Waterford, Kilkenny region. Photographer for Weddings, Portraits, Family Occasions, and the Theatre., Contact: Christendom Photography, Rocklands, Christendom, Ferrybank, County: Waterford, tel: +353 51 833235, fax: +353 Neither have a working web site -- \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
From: Michael McGrath, Portraitist . on 8 Feb 2010 06:05
On 7 Feb, 16:17, Chris H <ch...(a)phaedsys.org> wrote: > In message <c82419ab-4bcf-4c8c-9254-9216e8ee1...(a)f12g2000yqn.googlegroup > s.com>, "Michael McGrath, Portraitist ." <photographerofkilke...(a)gmail.c > om> writes > > > > > > >On 7 Feb, 10:06, Chris H <ch...(a)phaedsys.org> wrote: > >> In message <5590db4e-1e7a-4da8-810c-bba8bbd79...(a)b2g2000yqi.googlegroups > >> .com>, "Michael McGrath, Portraitist ." <photographerofkilke...(a)gmail.co > >> m> writes > > >> >http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.photo.adverts/browse_thread/threa > >> >d/456056fb5f9da22a# > > >> Anything that looks to good to be true usually is. Especially "get rich" > >> schemes.... > > >> Also I don't know any professionals with the profile being suggested who > >> are no inundated with requests from people wanting to be an assistant > >> for them. > > >Yes, Chris, you would be right were I a studio principal in London or > >Paris or on Cosmopolitan or such - but this is not the case in a small > >city in rural Ireland ( where I DO have many local applications , but > >I prefer ( personal preference based on wisdom ) NOT to have that > >local involvement with their families etc such as you always get here > >in Ireland ( I speak from long experience) , and none of the > >applicants I have would make competent professional photographers - > >they would make better civil servants, bank clerks etc, plumbers etc, > >with their attitudes - so I prefer to have a competent photographer > >join me as partner from the UK or Europe - especially as they would > >bring a different perspective from a wholly different environment , > >and as I say UK photographers, again in my long life experience, go > >down really well here in Ireland and are very good for BUSINESS. That > >way we all avoid local relationships and get on with developing the > >business. > > >I am to talk to some people who have applied from the NCAD ( National > >College of Art and Design ) in Dublin , but again I am not hopeful of > >getting the axact right person, even from there, or from the Bolton > >Street Photographic Diploma Course in Dublin , not even from the Dun > >Laoighaire College of Art and Design ( Film Course ) , mostly because > >they tend to be too academic - I find , again through actual > >experience, that a person who has failed their college/university > >exams is usually better for this life career, Drop Outs are usally the > >best :-) > > >And though London-based studios are inundated with applicants, as you > >state, they find it every bit as hard as provincial Irish > >photographers like I do, to get the specific talent we each require . > > >It's a matter of " horses for courses", difficult to explain, somebody > >who is a good " Mucker- In " , somebody who is not conservative yet > >not regimented leftist, someone who is not part of the mob, best > >described as an outsider who knows the mob, and doesn't feel like ever > >being part of it , and above all, a lateral thinker . Such people are > >rare . > > >And " get rich quick" is NOT offered, but the successful person will > >know how to make themselves rich , and have the opportunity to do so , > >there's a huge difference here , that's the person I am looking for . > > >And, on the other hand, even if the chosen person doesn't stay, six > >months or a year on your CV as a Professional Photographer in Ireland > >will do them no harm at all - and greatly help to build a fabulous > >portfolio too ! > > >But it's damned hard to find an artist, let alone recruit one !!! > > >Cheers, > >Michael . > > Is this you?http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/66/53608466.html > > or this one? > > http://www.browseireland.com/Business/Photography_Services/more2.shtml > Christendom Photography > Website of Michael Mc Grath and Christendom Photography, base in > Waterford, Kilkenny region. Photographer for Weddings, Portraits, Family > Occasions, and the Theatre., > Contact: Christendom Photography, Rocklands, Christendom, Ferrybank, > County: Waterford, tel: +353 51 833235, fax: +353 > > Neither have a working web site > > -- > \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ > \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/ > \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - The first is ( it's an ad, as you can see ) the second is not. The second belongs to the son of the late Joe McGrath, a distant cousin , who was one of the most popular, busiest and best photographers over 50 years throughout the South-East of Ireland ! The son is not near as successful as the father , Joe, who worked with me as a colleague on the local regional newspaper , " The Munster Express", Waterford City . " Keeping it in the family" obviously does not work out here in Ireland when it comes to professional photography businesses ! There was a website for this practice but I made a commercial decision to take it down last year, and I have been far too busy since to have a minute to sort it out , or to choose from several offers from web designers to construct a new one . Maybe the new partner will divert himself or herself with matters like that, but there's little or no no money in it ! I think that the only people who make money from the web are those mass spammers. However, as we are situate centre city here, a website was, and is, never a priority, nor was it ever a priority with any of our opposition in business here, as we found that it is not the ideal vehicle to attract business in provincial Ireland , rather an adornment, something else to serve and service . Our business is mainly local, Kilkenny-based, and has always depended on word-of-mouth and casual callers more than anything else , on being active in the real world . The only " national " business we would have is with the Catholic Church for Confirmation and Communion ceremonies , and even then we tend to stick to the South-East here, and also of course with Trinity College Dublin and the other universities and colleges for graduations and the like ( I am personally an official photographer to the National College of Art and Design for their Annual Convocation, a matter of pride and honour - not much money in it ! ) . Likewise I am an a retained photographer by " The Irish Catholic" national weekly newspaper ( though I'm lapsed myself ) . I spend 14 years full-time on " The Munster Express" for whom I am still " on call ", " The Irish Times", Dublin, for whom I photograph the " Kilkenny Arts Festival " and such, and I was first published by " The Irish Independent" , Dublin, Ireland's main national newspaper, back in August 1969 when I photographed Mick Jagger and Marianna Faithful for them, after I had had a drink and a chat on a Saturday morning here in Kytelers Inn for two hours with Mick, Marianne and the Hon. Desmond Guioness at the time. I also do things down through the years like photograph the All-Ireland Champion Senior Hurling Team, Kilkenny, but all such activity over the past 44 years , though eminently enjoyable, as are all the general and local elections etc., are not the bread-and-butter money earners for any studio here, no more than are my regular photo-calls with Prime Ministers and Cardinals, Mayors and the like - if they were I would be a millionaire long ago :-) I have earned more attending the national ploughing championships here in Kilkenny !!! To me, Photography is, and always has been, just a job, I have never rarely had the time to indulge myself in it as , for instance, an advanced amateur does , and sometimes I envy successful amateurs for that . It's a comfortable living, with many " moments " , as I've selected a few here, but day to day it is as mundane as photographing babies for delighted mothers and fathers. For that's where the money is today for a local practice, much more so than weddings for instance, and with a lot less fuss except when you come across a little monster who is bent on defying you . There is a huge business here, which I don't do - the pubs, clubs, hotels and parties all across the city - I much prefer at this stage to have my own time to myself, it's an area that a partner could cover with a lot of money forthcoming on the spot if he or she wants to . Thanks for your interest, Chris , Cheers, Michael . |