Freelance Photographers's Market Handbook 2010

Press Release:

With the launch of the 2010 edition, The Freelance Photographer’s Market Handbook marks its 26th year of publication. With nearly a thousand listings, the Handbook continues to provide an invaluable tool for the freelance and aspiring freelance photographer. It is bang upto-date with all the information you need to sell their photos for cash!

Published as usual on the 1st October, the Handbook includes information on hundreds of markets looking for pictures. Detailed listings specify the type of pictures – and articles – required by specialist, trade and consumer magazines. As well as the subject matter required by each publication, each entry details formats required, fees paid – and exactly where to send your pictures and to whom they should be addressed.

As well as magazines, the Handbook includes other markets for pictures including books, greetings cards, postcards, calendars and posters. Again, each listing sets out to show... What They Want, What They Pay, and Where to Send Your Pictures. National newspapers are also listed, with picture desk phone numbers and contacts.

So how much has the market for pictures changed since the first edition of The Freelance Photographer’s Market Handbook was published just over a quarter-of-a-century ago?

Looking back at that first edition, one would first be struck by the emphasis on black and white photography. It may seem hard to believe now, but in those days most magazines relied almost entirely on monochrome photography and photographers supplying the market were busy producing black and white prints.

For the majority of magazines colour was reserved for covers and sometimes for a few sections inside. But the number of full-colour magazines was small indeed and the market for colour photography correspondingly limited.

We have since travelled through the explosion of colour and the long dominance of the film transparency, to the modern era where now all is colour and most is digital.

The picture agency scene has also changed beyond recognition. That first Handbook listed just over 40 picture agencies, which represented nearly all there were in the UK at the time. This edition lists well over 100, which represents only a judicious selection of active players from amongst the multitude of agencies that now exist.

But what has stayed much the same is that magazines, agencies and other outlets continue to rely on freelances to supply the bulk of their imagery.

The Freelance Photographer’s Market Handbook continues to provide an invaluable guide for the enthusiastic amateur photographer as well as the semi- and full-time pro looking for more markets to sell their pictures. It is available through WH Smith and other good booksellers. Alternatively, it can be purchased direct from the publishers at £16.95 including p&p. Phone 020 8882 3315 to order or send a cheque to BFP Books, Focus House, 497 Green Lanes, London N13 4BP