Originally Posted by
jeffde
So IMHO when someone is happy to be published, I dont want to be a spoilsport, but to me its slightly hollow if they didnt get paid for it. Its clear, that anyone can do that. And if you do that, then you're simply going to have no profession left to use your diploma of photography.
Whilst i agree in principle with you William - the provision of photos and getting published can lead to other work - if you have the profile. I provide photos to the local "free" weekly photo news paper and get a small add in return which promotes my name, what i do etc. (could say its paid then)- I get more hits on my website (monitored on google analytics) after i do this than when i put a paid advert in.
This has led to freelance work with News Ltd, (again i was referred to them by the free paper), weddings and other approaches for freelance work.
Doing the 12 Hour at Bathurst (motorsport) for myself 2 years in a row, and not getting paid but getting published, got me the ooportunity at the Bathurst 1000 last year to work for News Ltd - i got paid, got published and got a ticket that you can't buy - ie accreditation. (btw a goal of mine since my first visit to Bathurst in 1978!!!)
I agree getting published for the sake of getting published is not a long term goal -and nor should it be - but sometimes you have to start at the bottom and climb up the ladder - as long as you have a plan - work the plan - and use the media as much as they use you!!!
If doing so small local festivals for the next few years and getting published in local rags or minor mags - eventually leads to the OP attaining is goal of accreditation and paid work at the BDO - then that's OK in my opinion.