Funding

Funding


As a documentary photographer it is rare I work in the studio or work towards producing images for commercial use. Despite the fact I would regard my own photographic style as 'Documentary' working in the studio is not something I would rule out as a career prospect upon leaving University, as even my C.V states, I am completely open to working in all fields of the creative industry. 

The work I have recently been producing is documentary style photographs of particular events in the local area where I live. 

Many in the industry say it it is almost impossible to make money off documentary photography alone. By that is meant that if I were to go out and photograph documentary style images of whatever I took an interest in or felt passionate over, It would be rare anyone would then come forward and want to pay money for them, as often, my own personal documentary work will not be of much use to others.

The way the documentary industry would normally work would be I could make money from creating documentary photographs if I had been commissioned by a company or organisation to go and document something in particular, for them to then use my images for whatever purpose. This however is where photojournalism and documentary photography come very close or hard to distinguish from one another.

To gain work in this way, I would have to produce enough work to be able to show to employers or for my work to get noticed.

As a documentary photographer however, there are particular opportunities to make money or gain money to produce you're projects depending upon what it is that you photograph. 


The Aftermath project

Organisations such as 'The Aftermath project' which is an organisation set up to fund photography projects which focus solely upon documenting communities rebuilding their communities after war has took place where they live.

"The Aftermath Project is a non-profit organization committed to telling the other half of the story of conflict — the story of what it takes for individuals to learn to live again, to rebuild destroyed lives and homes, to restore civil societies, to address the lingering wounds of war while struggling to create new avenues for peace. The Aftermath Project holds a yearly grant competition open to working photographers worldwide covering the aftermath of conflict. "

http://theaftermathproject.org/story


This style photography is obviously a type of photography which informs the viewer of things that are happening in the world which not everyone would be able to know about if it wasn't for the use of photography. I can understand why this type of photography is funded by organisations such as these as the work isn't just something which is personal to yourself, it is something which is causing an impact and serving a greater purpose. People in this world need to be informed of things such as this which are happening in the world, so the aftermath project and the power of photography is doing exactly that. 




Emerging Photographer Fund

Other grants which photographs can receive especially as being a documentary photographer include competitions. By entering competitions and hopefully winning, photographers can win cash prizes or it can be a way off getting your work noticed by others in the industry and by the judges who are often professionals in the industry. This is a good way of getting your work seen and possible way of picking up work or commissions along the way.

One photographer fund which I have found while researching is the "Emerging Photographer Fund".

"The Emerging Photographer Grant ($15,000) is provided by the Magnum Foundation, and given to support ongoing work by a young documentary photographer nominated by the burn community." 
https://www.david-campbell.org/photography/grants/

Magnum agency is a photography agency focused upon documentary photography. It is probably the most renowned documentary photography agency in the world with members such as the likes of Robert Capa, Alec Soth and Eve Arnold. This is therefore an amazing opportunity for any young documentary photographer. To apply you must be under the age of 25, which makes the funding slightly different to other organisations. However this would be a brilliant way to then get you started in the industry of documentary photography, being you'd be recognised as a photographer, possibly gain work from this experience alone and have money to then begin your own projects.

Opportunities such as these are something I am very aware I need to keep in mind throughout my career, if documentary photography is field I still aim to work within, upon leaving university and in the years to come.