Ok, so you want to start selling your news photos for money right? Well there are a few basic things that are needed to get you on your way to becoming a stringer. The first one is obviously a camera followed by a computer preferably a laptop, and last but not least is a police scanner. Now I will get into detail about gear in the equipment section but there are just some of the basics so read on!
As you get started you must realize that with anything, there is hard work involved to rise to be the best. News is a very competitive business and establishing yourself properly is a top priority. As a rookie stringer there are a lot of mistakes to be made, some that can potentially ruin your reputation as a stringer. Fortunately for you I have made some of those mistakes and am here to show you how I rose to the top in my market and later hired on as a staff photographer for the largest newspaper in Florida.
This is not a basic photography site; if you are reading this you should be an experienced photographer or a serious amateur. If you are just getting started in photography and have little or no real photography experience don’t be discouraged. Learn all of the technical aspects of photography first but most importantly get out and shoot. Making photos at least 3 times a week will help improve your photography skills. Another way to improve your photographic eye is to look at news photos online and in newspapers and magazines. While reading the newspaper or browsing online save your favorite images and study why are they appealing to you for future reference. Looking at news images and shooting often will help dramatically improve your own personal style. [private_pro]
As with any business, a time and money investment will be needed but by becoming a member of this site I will share with you everything I know saving you lots of time and money! I will teach you how to treat stringing as a business and to make money from those spot news images, instead of handing them over in exchange for a photo credit. One thing you must remember when getting started, this is a business and what you do from this point on will affect your reputation forever.
Before we dive too deep into what it takes to be a Stringer lets take a look at what it really means. The term “Stringer” actually started referring to writers, such as a freelance reporter or local correspondent who gets paid by the story. The term dates back to the time when part-time reporters were paid for each column inch of copy the newspaper printed. At the end of the week or month, they would measure the space their writing occupied in the newspaper by a length of string. They’d turn in the piece of string, and would be paid according to how long the string was!
In the news photo and video world the term “Stringer” is used in the same way. Stringers are contractors and are not employed by the news organizations that hire them. That means they do not have any workers’ compensation, retirement or health benefits from the publication. Stringers working for newspapers or magazine must first fill out a IRS W9 tax form and fill out company contracts stating how they will use your images. Some publications that hire you allow you to say that you are a photographer with their publication but others may frown against it. Make sure you get those things in writing when you fill out your contract, or at least have it clarified.
Sometimes it can be a real hassle and pain in the but working with some newspapers but the good thing is you are a freelance photographer. Since you are an independent contractor you can market those images to any publication or television station you wish, usually the highest bidder! [/private_pro]