looking for work

[SteveH11]

Hi I am looking for work as a freelance retoucher and looking to achieve regular work with somebody. Has anybody got any advice on how to get the work or where to get it?

[Photoshop_Nerd]

I am in a similar situation and am interesting in people's advice on the mater.

[franko60]

If you're any good and have a portfolio that demonstrates your skills, you could do worse than contacting local photographers. As it seems that today anyone with a digital camera, plastic lens and a laptop calls themselves a professional photographer, you may well find that they are more than willing to sub out the post production of their work. OTOH, those who are true professionals also often prefer to sub out post as their time is better spent shooting than pp.

[SteveH11]

Thanks for your reply. I have over 15 years experience as a retoucher mostly on glossy magazines. I am looking at setting up a website portfolio

[franko60]

Then I can't imagine you'll find any difficulty getting work. If I were you I'd cold-call ad agencies, advertising photographers and printers getting appointments to show your work.

Incidentally, I find I get a much better response by taking my hard-copy portfolio to potential clients than simply ringing and pointing them to my web site. There's something about an 11 x 14 print in your hands that's much more compelling than looking at a screen. But then, I'm a photographer rather than a retoucher but I think this will still hold true.

Some people don't like cold-calling. Tough; get over it, it produces much more results than any other means of gaining clients (or hire an agent/salesperson on commission. It'll cost you more but they'll do the work for you).

[SteveH11]

That's sound advice. I will take that on board. Thanks