During at this years ADM for the NUJ in Belfast. I overheard the current problems freelance photographers are having these days with money to buy equipment. This is a valid problem as many photographers live below the breadline, some risking life and limb to bring back stories of rebel movements in Africa to the ‘Oil War’ in Iraq. The typical photographer shells out £2000 for a top of the range camera and lens, another £1000 on lenses, £800 laptop, storage, additional digital equipment, £100 website, rent and food. You may ask they will only pay this cost once? But in actual fact the pay for being a free lance photojournalist is pittance.
The main problem with this is that students who study photography, have to shell out for this also, on top of almost £17’000 debt at the end. A recent survey in The Guardian newspaper found that the average debt is at £17’000 with a starting salary for graduates is at £13’000. After this they still have to buy all those items on the freelance list. Universities don’t have a grant specifically for students studying photography. Being from a working class background having to pay for cameras, computers, paper, film, travel costs, rent and food out of £1500 a term is fucking stupid. I have had countless ideas of subjects and places I have wanted to photograph to gain a decent portfolio I would like to challenge for a graduate job, but sometimes without cash. I took on two jobs at once as well. The hardship fund at the university that is there to help students rolled their eyes every time I approached the window. Photographers should have their own union, but students studying photography should have help.
I am currently getting my portfolio and two exhibitions ready at the end of my course. I have just paid £1100 on rent, £50 on food. Now heres the list I was given with only a £2000 overdraft.
Professional Business Cards = £60
Printing costs for exhbition = £40
Printing costs for portfolio = £80
Paper = £60
Portfolio and sleeves £ 90
Visual diary printing £10
Now you can see after all this I have £300 remaining. I can furthur that overdraft up to £3000 in my final degree year. I might, either that or a credit card.
The Guardian newspaper also said that if I hadn’t gone to university and started out in the workplace, Id be further up in the ladder by now and earning over £22’000. Who hasn’t done their maths?
Filed under: adm, debt, freelance, graduate, guardian, hardship, nuj, nus, photography, studying, universities, university, working
