My First Photography Job Seasonal with Jostens

Breaking into photography as a career is no small feat, especially fresh out of a community college certificate program. You send out applications, you highlight your skills, you hope your portfolio speaks for itself and most of the time, you hear nothing back. Trust me, I’ve been there.

When I finished my photography certificate, I put my name in for several jobs, especially in the sports photography world. That’s the area I was really aiming for. I imagined myself on the sidelines, capturing the winning shot or the game changing play. But reality check sports photography gigs aren’t easy to land when you’re just starting out, and the responses were few and far between.

Then, something did come through: a seasonal position with Jostens, the company best known for yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, and school photography. Jostens has been around since 1897 and is practically a household name in schools across the country. Their photography division handles everything from individual portraits to full school picture days images that often end up in yearbooks and cherished family photo albums.

At first, I’ll admit, it wasn’t exactly what I pictured when I thought of my first photography job. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this is actually a great fit for me. I’m comfortable shooting portraits, I enjoy working with people, and honestly I love the “lil people.” Kids bring such personality and unpredictability to a session. No two portraits are the same, and you can’t help but smile when you get that genuine expression out of them.

This gig will be interesting for sure. It’s not a full time sports assignment, but it is a foot in the door with a reputable company and a chance to keep honing my skills in a professional setting. Plus, it’s paid experience and in photography, getting paid to learn is gold.

I’m going into it with an open mind. The truth is, it’s tough out there to land photography jobs straight out of school, even with talent and passion. The industry leans heavily toward freelancers and contractors now, and most employers want to see proven experience before taking a chance on someone new. But that’s all the more reason to grab the opportunities that come your way, even if they’re not the exact ones you envisioned.

Who knows where this could lead? Maybe it opens the door to other assignments. Maybe it becomes a stepping stone to my dream sports photography role. Either way, I’m taking it as a win, making the most of it, and seeing what the future holds camera in hand, ready for whatever comes next.