Starting out as a freelancer is often the result of following a passion. Rarely does a fledgeling freelancer express a desire to sort out their accounts, file their taxes or plan marketing strategies. Business tends to come into focus at a later stage. However, understanding the basics and knowing a bit of business jargon can help a freelancer no end. Here's our rough guide on blagging it as a freelancer.

How to create a fashion portfolio, you ask? Images from paid shoots, personal projects and test shooting. There a many ways to produce work but putting together a fashion portfolio that resonates with your target market is no easy task. It requires a fine balance to attract the top clients and entice collaborators you want to shoot with. To help solve this timeless conundrum, The Freelancer Club dipped into our little black book and asked one of London's biggest modelling agencies, M + P Models, how to create a fashion portfolio that gets you noticed.

Mikko Largerstedt, a fine art photographer, captures hauntingly beautiful night-time landscapes in low light conditions. Patient, technically astute and deeply rooted in Nordic nature, Mikko has an eye for the spectacular. He first pointed his lens at the stars almost 10 years ago having taught himself the craft. We caught up with the Finnish night crawler to hear his freelance story.

In a time when 'content' is in high demand, content-creating freelancers should be reaping the rewards. Why then are so many photographers, videographers, animators, graphic designers and fellow content creators struggling to find work?

We love getting to know our awesome members and hearing their extraordinary stories so we caught up with makeup artist Carl Stanley to hear his. From banging on doors through the streets of Birmingham to becoming the Prime Minister's makeup artist, enjoy the ride from this makeup artist's life.

It can be easy to kid yourself that providing you and your client had a quick chat to outline what was expected, everything’s fine. 

What is a test shoot? We get asked this question all the time and, worryingly, we hear the wrong the wrong answer more often than not. Knowing what a test shoot is, how they work, why they are important to your brand, portfolio and career, and the best practices around test shooting will set you up for successful freelance life.

With an eclectic client list that includes Star Wars, Netflix and Adidas, photographer, Mr. Whisper, is not resting on his laurels. He generates around 50% of his work via social media and continues to land exciting projects. We asked him how he does it.