Last week I spent two days freelancing for another florist, even after three decades in the industry, I still find freelancing a refreshing change. It always seems to recharge my very jaded batteries at the end of a long wedding season and fires me up with renewed passion for my art.
Its such a good way to find your creativity again, after all its not your gig its someone else’s, you are just there to provide the creative muscle without the responsibility that having your own bookings carries. You haven’t had to work out the recipes or choose the flowers or make the figures work. You can just pick up your snips and apron and go and ‘play with flowers’.
Obviously, you have to be happy to take direction and do things the way that particular florist wants them done (and it may not be how you would do it) but other than that it’s always a thoroughly positive experience. I often tell newly qualified florists that getting on the freelance circuit is a great way to hone your skills, pick up your speed, see how others run a wedding set up and learn the all-important team work that floristry thrives on. I never come away feeling that I haven’t gained some new insight.
There are a few things to make sure you have in place before starting any freelancing job. Check that your insurance gives you full coverage for freelancing, including working at heights. Have a written contract stating your hours, pay rate, responsibilities, if you need to provide your own tools and if travel time or petrol will be paid.
As a freelancer I am mindful of showing up on time and being dressed appropriately, lots of thin layers are best as marquees seem to be either freezing cold or as hot as the surface of the sun. Comfortable, closed footwear is a must and I go for a simple conservative colour for my clothing unless otherwise directed, I also take a plain apron, I don’t feel it is appropriate to advertise my business whilst working for another one.
I always check what the rules are around taking photographs of the work I have done and social media sharing, as it can be very contentious. Some are happy for you to share photos after the event crediting their business (not your own) but some have very strict no photograph rules. I’m also very careful not to be drawn into industry gossip whilst freelancing, floristry is a small world and it is easy to inadvertently ruffle feathers with no malice meant.
I love the freelance world and relish the chance to work on huge events and large installations, stretching myself out of my comfort zone is always where the most learning occurs. It’s great to have other florists to bounce ideas off and the camaraderie can be much needed in an industry where solo working is now the norm for many of us. So be brave, put the feelers out there and switch it up a bit next year with some freelancing for other florists you admire. I promise you wont regret it!
Viv Bradford trained in West Germany in the late 1980s before returning to the UK, where she has pursued many roles in the industry from running retail premises, teaching floristry, working in wholesale, business coaching florists and running an award-winning studio florist specialising in weddings.
Viv also created and runs Facebook groups Flowerphiles for experienced florists and The Floristry Geek for students and those new to the industry which concentrates on educational content.
