Free Freelance Photography and Graphic Design Work
Need work? Need money? Unfortunately sometimes just getting the work is work. Keep in mind that you will not have jobs handed to you for the most part. Getting work will, in the end, come from you doing a lot of work to promote yourself and your talent.The fastest and easiest way to get a design or photography job is to network. The biggest mistake people make here is thinking they only need to associate with people from their chosen field. While it can be fun and build up your skill set to associate with other creatives, it won't always lead to wonderful new job opportunities.
Meet people not only in those fields but in other fields anyone and everyone, in other words. Some of the best job offers I've seen have come from friends and acquaintances who thought of me before posting to online sites and such. Work may come from an old instructor or a friend needing a business card. Small projects like this for people you know can often lead to other jobs either with them or with people that they know. If you need work, you also need to keep in mind that no job is really too small. Someone unwilling to pay for your skill at all is another hurdle altogether. You may just be starting out, but be mindful of selling yourself short. Even creatives who are new to their respective fields deserve to be well paid for their efforts even if they earn less than their professional counterparts.
If you're still in school, talk to teachers and other students. I have a standing freelance job maintaining a site for a former teacher. Even family can get you hooked up. I designed a complete identity for the side business my mother's friend runs. Look under every possible stone and always keep in mind that you never know who may need your help. Don't be scared of singing your own praises and being confident about what you do well.
If all your contacts fail you, hit the papers. Creative positions can be hard to come by, but it's worth scanning the sheets. If nothing turns up there, try online. Even community-oriented art sites like DeviantArt offer job sections. The main thing to be careful of when looking for freelance positions online is that many people and companies will try to offer you less than you are worth or nothing at all. Be aware of pay rates per hour and per job in your area and refuse to take less. Quality work is worth quality pay. It may mean missing out on a few smaller jobs, but in the end you will not only end up with freelance work, you'll end up with freelance work you can be proud of.
