Ohh I see, you were referring to contracts based on photographing.

I was more so turned the conversations into speaking on how to get contracts with other businesses to teach.

My apologizes haha! Thank you so much. ✌️

Yes I was for sure thinking a non profit. I always wanted to be in education, but not in such a traditional way. So I think teaching it on my own teaching plan rather than following a district based district where I wouldn’t be able to fully teach what I would want.

Okay so contracts would be a photographer to photographer basis? I was more so thinking, once I get the business off the ground, I reach out to schools in the areas, orphanages, etc to work with the children to create a contract with them maybe for a quarter basis to do the services I provide.

Also with internships, im thinking of attending a missions school this upcoming semester where they equip me with starting a for & non profit business over seas, and it includes an internship overseas to get me set up in the exact field I want to be in. So that may help as well!

That’s such a dream! I can’t wait to get there. I’m ready for the end goal, and what comes with it.

Ahhh I can definitely see this route as well! I think when it comes to more so editorial photography in the link I sent, working with an actual agency would work much better.

I also love the idea of photographing and storytelling a local’s life, following a local around, their home life, and documenting that. This would consist of me most likely needing a fixer (contact) to help bring that to life. If you have any advice there please let me know.

I also love the idea of just street photography, taking photos of locals on the go, and it’s not so much a “pose for the camera” feel. Rather I’m getting things in the action and documenting as I go. The only fear I have there is how ethical it is, if locals catch you doing it how would that work, etc.

And for working with an editor for a story, are you referring to using my work / working alongside a fashion publication, newspaper, etc? I was thinking of doing most of my work independently, sharing it via social media, selling prints, and making books based on the story I’m trying to sell. What’s your advice there? I’d love to work with fashion publications though, which may open up more doors for opportunities.

First, thank you for giving me so much advice!

This was definitely a concern I had, the materials the countries had. I was thinking of getting small point and shoot cameras with the grant money I received for the 501c3. I’m thinking of starting it up in the states (I’m from the states) and then creating contracts with organizations in those areas and teaching it there. (If this is even remotely possible. Still going to figure that part out.) This may maybe open up a possibility in the near future for me to open up my own location for it in another country.

Where do you think I can go to find contacts/fixers?

I for sure would try to do a contract with the people I’m photographing. I would hope it wouldn’t make them thrown off too much, and they decide to not do it anymore. But we’d see, I want to go that route to make sure I’m respecting the local and also being ethical!

The end goal is to be independent! But I know for sure starting off at a publication would work. I’m just not sure how that process works completely. Are publications based for travel photographers? Would I join a fashion publication? I’m going to research on it, and if you have any other suggestions or generalized things of how it works, I’d be so open to hearing!

Thank you so much for the tips 🙂 this really motivated me.

For sure!

For sure! I’m definitely going to nail it down a bit more. It’s completely new. I’ve done fashion editorial photography for about a year and want to take that within traveling now.

In my mind I want to: Do editorial travel photography were I take quirky fashion shoots of locals and or doing street photography in the area to get a grasp on the culture. (This would be for my own personal interests)

Then for the financial aspect (because we do still need to live): I plan on opening a non profit to teach my skills to students in these areas that want to learn creativity. It would be photography of course, and my other gifts such as dance and fashion. This would require a 501c3.

I completely understand. I’m a 20F (not necessarily well off haha) But I do plan on doing this as a non profit / for profit some how working with different organizations.