ISM- INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name:
Printed Name of Person
Interviewed:
Role of Individual:

Courtney Smith

Period:

Wendy Larsen

Place of Business:

___Mentor ___Other Professional #1

Lakewood Photography

__x_Other Professional #2

Business Address:

1010 E Main St, League City, TX 77573

Phone Number:

(281) 554-9700

Date of Interview:

11/30/14

Type of Interview: ___ In Person ___ Telephone* __x_Email*

*Documentation Required (Attach E-mail to Interview Verification Page)

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)
Fantasy: Professional photographers spend all day taking beautiful photos.
Reality: In order to run a successful business, most time is devoted to the business side of things and a
comparatively small amount of time is actually spent behind a camera.
2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
(educational level and requirements)
Bachelors degree plus Certified Professional Photographer certification. Constant continuing education
and training are required to stay current with the latest trends and techniques. I estimate I spend at least 100 hours
per year on continuing education, attending workshops, classes, and online training.
3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
(day-to-day activities)
The typical daily activities includes marketing, billing, speaking with potential clients, ordering supplies,
retouching photos, processing orders, and in person consultations, image presentations, and portrait sessions.
4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
(job security)
There is very little job security in the field of photography. The future is bleak.
5. What is a typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
(salary)
$10,000 - $30,000/year
6. What potential for growth is there in your field?
(growth potential)
Very little. The field of photography in general has taken a huge downturn over the last 10 years.
Professional photographers making above $30,000/year are very few and far between.
Revised Fall 2013

7. What is your favorite thing about the job?

wen
I love capturing memories and preserving the important milestones in my clients lives.
8. What originally caught your interest in photography?
When my kids were babies, the importance of those precious family photos drove me to make a career
change and go back to school to study photography.
9. What is the most difficult aspect of the job?
The hours of behind the scenes work required
10. 10. What is your least favorite aspect of the job?
Explaining to clients why professional portraits cost as much as they do.

Revised Fall 2013