Q: I'm looking to apply for a photographer opening at the 100,000-circulation paper my husband works at. I have been freelancing for them for nearly a year. The thing is, my freelancing work really dried up after the first of the year. I went from 3 assignments a week down to about 1 a month. The only explanation I received was that the budget was cut. Almost all of the assignments started going to the only other freelancer, who has been there longer than I have. The thing is, I was told that I was preferred over this other freelancer before all my work suddenly dropped off.

Joe, do you think I have a shot at getting a full-time job there? I don't have a college degree or a resume with impressive internships that everyone seems to value. But I do have almost a decade of real-life newspaper experience at weeklies and small dailies. It seems photography openings come around rarely and are much more competitive than other newspaper jobs. If I don't get this job, I will have to move in another direction entirely for economic reasons. Photography jobs are just too hard to find and get.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

    Megan

A: The freelance photo budget may have been cut, but it sure seems that brunt of that fell on you. I would take that as a sign that they do not like your work as much as they like the other freelancer's and that he would have an inside track on you for any opening that might occur.

Given your years of experience, I don't think that the lack of a degree or internships is an impediment, but there is ample evidence that they are not high on your work  and are not being completely honest with you about their reservations.

I'd try other papers or avenues.