I guess I should introduce myself a little bit.
I finished high school with a grand plan to study engineering and science and become a great scientist or design robotic prosthetics. After graduating from the science degree (anatomy and neuroscience) I went hunting for an honours project. I couldn’t find any projects in Australia that I thought would fit for me so I went in search of an alternate path.
I applied to different schools, different courses and received some offers at the first round which included physiotherapy, masters in science and photography (this one i had applied for on a whim). I decided to accept and defer the physio and take up photography. From there i’ve never looked back.
After three years studying at RMIT, with a six month stint in NYC at Parsons school of design, I ventured out into the world planning to hang my shingle as a photographer.
During my time in NYC I interned at one of the larger photo rental studios MILK studios in the equipment room. This gave me a great understanding of all the equipment – how it worked and what to do when it broke. This was invaluable, not only did i know what was going on, but I also made contacts with a lot of assistants. After some time a couple of photographers would come by looking for replacement assistants and I got a few jobs out of it. I’ll write more about this way of getting into the industry a little bit later.
When I came back to Australia I hear that a similar rental studio were looking for someone – Sun Studios (formally Baltronics). I did the same thing here, although here I was paid to be in the equipment room. Using this job I got to know most of the photographers in Melbourne and also a different set of equipment.
Just before Christmas 2007 I was made redundant from Sun Studios. It really couldn’t have happened at a better time. I had finished studying and was itching to get out and get my hands dirty. I’ll write a bit more about losing your job and what it can do for you later as well.
Following that I enrolled into the NEIS program (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme). A program for new businesses funded by the Australian Government. http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Programmes/NEIS/
I finished the business course part of NEIS at the end of May and since then have been getting my photography business moving from a non-entity to something that will start to bring in some money.
I plan on posting updates on what i’m doing to get off the ground, problems i’m facing as i go, aspects of business that i learn and just general stuff about starting a small business.
