5 Freelancing Insights from Photojournalist Melissa Lyttle
Over time, Instagram has become our go-to platform for sharing the work of our members, projects that impact us, and photos that help us see the world differently.
Many recognize us for our free educational guides for photographers. As we foster relationships within the online photo community, we aim to bring more resources and educational opportunities directly to them via our blog and social media channels.
Melissa Lyttle was the perfect person to kick-off our Instagram Live Q&A. Since leaving the newsroom years ago, Melissa has dedicated herself to visual storytelling while supporting fellow photographers and journalists as much as she can.
Watch Melissa Lyttle and PhotoShelter on Instagram for additional insights and motivation, then read on for five actionable tips from this former NPPA president.
Networking is key to getting started as a freelance photographer. Establishing relationships with fellow creatives, editors and industry professionals is crucial in order to establish yourself in this competitive field. Finding time to communicate with colleagues – virtual or otherwise – will help propel your business forward; with so many workshops now taking place across the world being an especially useful means.
One great tip from Melissa is to create and keep a spreadsheet listing all of the editors and creatives that you want to connect with. Reach out, message them, and start scheduling one hour time slots with those willing to talk with you.
Kind and courteous conduct towards clients, peers, mentors, and the wider community isn’t the only way to stay top of mind when searching for work – another important strategy is sharing more about yourself with your community by making yourself known in new ways – whether that be mailing postcards following up an email conversation or handing out printed books featuring your work – these additional efforts show clients, editors, and publications what exactly it is you can offer them.
Melissa shares yet more useful advice: strive to become a carrier of outstanding work. Have an unselfish mindset, lifting others up. If there’s an editor you admire who could benefit from working together, share their latest assignment on social media; this may inspire them to follow or remember you in turn!
Passive income is possible. Copyright your work.
This topic of copyrighting images can never be overemphasized when discussing photography business strategies; start early to get into a routine for copyrighting them and you’ll thank yourself later on!