salary as a photographer

[andrithaslim]

Hi guys,

I am just wondering, what is the AVERAGE SALARY for being as photographer
in Singapore?

What the most popular/wanted photography course in Singapore?

I have been working as IT and planning to switch the job as photographer in Singapore.

Thanks alot for the answer.

regards,
andri

 

[mpenza]

photographer as in press photographer? or freelance?

 

[Cheesecake]

firstly, its not easy to get work as a professional photographer in any photography studio.

secondly, job openings are far and few in between.

the pay bracket is comfortable and it varies anywhere from S$1.5k/month to some S$4,5,6k depending on fields, area of specialisation and the scale and size/establishment of the studio.

to my knowledge, only big companies or established studios are able to hire photographers on a full time basis.

most oftenly, they will look for free lancers, part timers contracted to the studio on per-job basis. again, the fee varies.

anyway, some photographers will move away from their studio work or publishing house and start their own free lance studio. u might get lucky and find employment in one such studio.

u have to have a certain amount of knowledge and experience on the related field of photography if u're planning to work in a studio or publishing house full time as a professional photographer.

hope it helps?

ho ho ho!

 

[andrithaslim]

thx guys,

both i guess,
photographer in media/magazine companies... as well as freelancer

or is it better to open a wedding photography business in singapore instead :bsmilie:

cheers:
andri

 

[Cheesecake]

thx guys,

both i guess,
photographer in media/magazine companies... as well as freelancer

or is it better to open a wedding photography business in singapore instead :bsmilie:

cheers:
andri

hi andri,

its a very saturated and small market where wedding photography is concerned. not to mention the unbelievable high level of under-cutting of wedding photography payment.

however, it is most commonly the first step to professional photography for most photographers. most started as free-lancers in wedding photography.

cheers!!

ho ho ho!

 

[KNIGHT ONG]

I havent have the courage to become full time photographer ... :cry:

On & Off still doing some freelance works to feed my equipment .... :devil:

Some press photojournalist can pay up to $2.5K ... ;p

 

[andrithaslim]

wahh.. thx alot Cheesecake,
very usefull information, indeed.

its better to open our own studio, right? :bsmilie:

 

[andrithaslim]

Some press photojournalist can pay up to $2.5K ... ;p

do they want to pay up to $3K for 2-year-experience-photographer, hahahaha? :sweatsm:

 

[Cheesecake]

wahh.. thx alot Cheesecake,
very usefull information, indeed.

its better to open our own studio, right? :bsmilie:

hi andri...

yes, its ur own blood and sweat! u will be very dedicated to it.

however, openng a studio is one thing. getting work, the commercial part of it, is tough.

i would think that it'll be best if u can work in an established studio and from there build up ur own portfolio and develop ur own style, and perhaps, improve ur PR and getting abit of trust and respect from customers(who in turn might recommend potential clients or who might be used to ur service and style and might come to look for u in ur own new studio).

the starting part is always the toughest. however, maintaining a profitable business is much much harder.

thus, work for an established studio first, once u feel that u've set aside a considerable amount of $$ and gained enough exposure, then perhaps u can try to set up ur own studio.

sometimes action speaks louder than words.
u'll never know lest u try...

don't think, act!

 

[Cheesecake]

do they want to pay up to $3K for 2-year-experience-photographer, hahahaha? :sweatsm:

depending on ur portfolio, and ur experience, the establishment of the printing/publishing house and of course, whether there are other competitors...

S$3k is not alot of $$ for most established studio or publishing house.

of course, S$3k for a talented photographer who could bring in much higher revenue for them, its a pretty good trade off. i hope!

hohoho!

 

[Cheesecake]

by the way, i'm not so sure that general wedding photography(because it is 'oh-so-common' in Singapore) do really count as 'work experience' in certain photographic fields. (unless maybe it is studio wedding photography... it might be relevant to studio work)...

otherwise might count as event photography, i feel.

thus, u might want to check (and literally guess) with ur intended field.

cheers!

 

[Canonised]

Hi guys,

I am just wondering, what is the AVERAGE SALARY for being as photographer
in Singapore?

What the most popular/wanted photography course in Singapore?

I have been working as IT and planning to switch the job as photographer in Singapore.

Thanks alot for the answer.

regards,
andri

To me, the 3 most important factors to consider are: Contact, Contact, Contact!

Of course you must have confidence in your own skills, as well as very positive feedbacks from others about your photographic skills.
Please remember: technology in camera has improved so much that the average photographers can achieve so much better quality than in the past and as such there will be more ppl entering this trade in the future, whether professionally or not. This will definately affect the future income of the average photogs.
On the other hand, the Sg government has now recognised photogy as arts and there will be good potential in the artistic photog areas.
But like in any other fields, the best income will go to the best or most well-connected photog.

 

[Cheesecake]

To me, the 3 most important factors to consider are: Contact, Contact, Contact!

Of course you must have confidence in your own skills, as well as very positive feedbacks from others about your photographic skills.
Please remember: technology in camera has improved so much that the average photographers can achieve so much better quality than in the past and as such there will be more ppl entering this trade in the future, whether professionally or not. This will definately affect the future income of the average photogs.
On the other hand, the Sg government has now recognised photogy as arts and there will be good potential in the artistic photog areas.
But like in any other fields, the best income will go to the best or most well-connected photog.

i share the same sentiments as canonised if u're goin solo!

haha!

the commercial part of it, u must gather as much contacts as possible, on top of being a good photographer!

all the best!!!!!

ho ho ho!!

 

[Ghostpipefish]

maybe can consider serious freelancing before taking the big step?

or you can be brave and take the big step. then you know you got no day job to fall back on and you will work harder to get your contacts and business.

also, check your commitments... car loan, housing loan, family financial committment, etc.

think through carefully to increase you chances of success. you may not have ALL the contact now but you will eventually.

just don't start off with ZERO contacts.....

it may also be good to develop your own niche. aim to be the best in your niche (product shoot, wedding, architecture, whatever)

good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Kimura_papaya]

Hi guys,

I am just wondering, what is the AVERAGE SALARY for being as photographer
in Singapore?

What the most popular/wanted photography course in Singapore?

I have been working as IT and planning to switch the job as photographer in Singapore.

Thanks alot for the answer.

regards,
andri

buddy...u sure u want to be photographer?it need a good profile..it is sure not like IT where u have the tech skill u can smoke ppl..

photographer need to have good sense of art...and need profiles so that the industry will recognize u....

art is not measure by $$$.....hope u thik abt it.

kimu

 

[davsmiths]

it may also be good to develop your own niche. aim to be the best in your niche (product shoot, wedding, architecture, whatever)

good luck! :thumbsup:[/QUOTE]


yup. find ur own niche. take time off ur job and start taking pics. u dont wanna buy all the wrong lens because tt's gonna burn ur pocket badly b4 u even start work! because if u take just any job from wedding to product to sports coverage to photo journalism, u gotta have ALOT of lens to cover everything man!

anyway, All e best to you! Whether u make it or break it, it's all up to You!

 

[andrithaslim]

Guys,

Thank you very much for your suggestion.
It is very helpful and I really appreciate.

All of you very kind. :vhappy:

Yeah, open a new business is not just a flip my hand, I have to be a freelancer or employee as photographer for the start.

Hmm.... hope I can make it. :angel:

 

[andrithaslim]

Does anyboy know what is the most popular photography course institution in Singapore?

at

 

[Cheesecake]

there are quite a few institutions.

one that comes to mind is objectifs

 

[RuthBaby]

if no biz.. how ?
monthly rental very fast!!!