“Nothing about the creative industries is linear”

Creative Career Conundrums is a weekly advice column from If You Could Jobs. Each week their selected panel of professionals from the creative industry answers your burning career questions to help you navigate the creative journey.

This week’s question:

I’m a 23-year-old photographer, and fresh out of school last year I started working in the best film lab in my country. Even though I am super grateful for this job and all its benefits, my goal is to go freelance. I already have an advanced portfolio and end up getting good opportunities here and there, but far from enough for me to be able to quit, as I can’t afford the financial instability. With my work schedule, I leave my house at 8am and get back at 9pm, Monday to Friday. I’m still able to find time to do my projects, but it just isn’t enough. I feel frustrated because I know the artistic potential is there, but I haven’t been able to establish a good plan. I’m scared of getting stuck and not having what it takes to go after my dreams.

How do I manage my transition from full-time job to fully freelance? And how should I best use my little time?

Shanice Mears, co-founder and head of culture & communities at The Elephant Room:

You’ve done so well in getting this far, and working for one of the best film labs in the country is no small feat, so I would advise you to just give yourself some grace for a moment. I mean this in the most direct and joyful way possible, but you are also 23 years old, and I think at this stage in your career, although freelance might be the goal, it’s okay to give yourself time to figure out what that might look like.

Brands, agencies, and organisations like to see when people can commit themselves to something long-term. Although I fully understand the ambition to be freelance, and I think you should still definitely keep that goal in mind, I think you should also have an open mind about what that growth looks like.

Nothing about the creative industries is linear, and I think you should think about the things that can help you excel, but in the most valuable way. There are other ways to grow in your career at the early stages outside of just freelancing and on different creative projects, although I understand how this can be the goal and fulfilling for you. But maybe seek mentorship, apply for funding schemes to help you get passion projects off the ground, attend your local workshops, seminars, and lectures to make sure you’re networking. You could start something online to begin sharing more of your work, or apply for awards that could also support your growth.

I think there are many ways that you can level up, which will then put you at an advantage to think about going freelance. If you do the above, you’ll have more relationships, a wider support network, and build a credible reputation, and so forth.

In answering your creative career conundrums we realise that some issues need expert support, so we’ve collated a list of additional resources that can support you across things that might arise at work.

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