I should be posting this up in the business section, but even though I'm a paid up member, I still can't seem to post anywhere else (Drew & Rob - Did you never get those messages about this??)
I'm a freelance photographer based in Dubai, and have been doing it for about 7 years.
The market, like everywhere else, has gone belly up, and work is extremely scarce. Factor in the element where the summer months means hardly any work, and I'm facing a turning point.
Dubai is a very expensive place to live, and you need to make a ton to live here. As work's bad, my wife and I are now going to downsize considerably here, and see how the next six months pan out. If it doesn't pick up we'll return, with family, to the UK.
My question is though: I've not lived in the UK for 16 years (even though I'm English) and I have no idea on the state of the market for freelancers. Can you make a living there? Is the work around? Is the market absolutely over saturated with photographers willing to work for next to nothing?
News from the UK seems to be nothing but doom and gloom, but I refuse to believe it's all that bad.
My current workload includes event, portrait, PR, concert, interior and some food photography (you have to diversify here) and all on a corporate level, so I think I have a pretty respectable portfolio.
Enough to make a living though? That's where I need some opinions?
Regarding your posting problem: I don't know about private messages that you sent to Drew or Rob, but I checked your profile in the Admin panel and all of the required permissions for posting seem to be there.
Are you still having problems? If so, PM me here with some more details and I'll take a more in depth look as to what is going on.
As to your other questions, I'm going to be much help, but, FWIW:
I'm in the UK (have been for about the last 10 years) but unlike you I'm American (wife English). I do stock sales, not freelancing, and I think the current market is terrible...nothing very much seems to be moving from the mainstream agencies unless you are a big name. I think that is largely the current economy but the micro-stock and other cheap stock sites are not helping.
Good luck and do let me know if you are still having trouble posting.
Linear Mode
