Freelance Photojournalism for the Scuba Diving Community - a Closed Shop?

"You can't go ahead with this - you've got to pull the plug on it"

It was the evening before my "From Photograph to Byline" presentation at Visions 2007 (Download vi sons_07_flyer_2_update.pdf ) and a well known full time photojournalist from the UK diving media was trying to persuade me not to go ahead with it. "You'll be killing the industry - you'll only be encouraging others, and they'll write for free!"

But I did it anyway - providing the audience with an insider's perspective on the world of diving related photojournalism as well as a few examples of how anyone can get their foot on the first rung to becoming an established and respected contributor.

After developing the concept further the presentation was repeated in Florida (Download florida_dive_show.pdf) and adapted for a week long photojournalism (Download og_advert.jpg) workshop in the Philippines with Michael Aw and Mathieu Meur.

So what will I be doing in Blog-world? Well, I'll be providing an insight into the niche world of scuba related photojournalism as I see it. I say this as there are no rules, books or guides to tell you how to break into this world and there are no right ways or wrong ways - just ways that work.

I'll be providing you with some of the route maps I've discovered following the publication of my first paid article in 1996. Since then I have had over 300 articles published in a variety of magazines although most of them have been in DIVER magazine. It's been a superb journey, one that continues today, and all in my spare time (I have a full time occupation as an employee of H.M. Government).

Through this blog I will share my insights and opinions as well as insider knowledge in respect of the diving related media. For those who have been on my presentations or workshops it will be a one-stop shop for advice and for sharing ideas.

How the site will turn out? Well, in some ways this will depend on you - if there is anything you would like to know about, drop me a line:

[email protected]

Oh yes, and as far as writing for free is concerned here's a top tip:

"Keep writing until you don't suck at it and someone is willing to pay you!"