Just got a set of questions from a female photographer, considering moving here. As usual, I’m answering the questions online so others may benefit:

a) how much work a freelance photographer might be able to find in Kathmandu

- well, that depends mostly on what field you are in. You can expect to sell some travel stories from here and also perhaps ‘oddity’ stories. Hardcore documentary, like poverty etc., yes, also a bit. But generally it isn’t a big market. If you have contacts with editors before you come here, it’s a big help. I’m getting a couple of commissions a year from the iNGO’s, not much, but perhaps you can do better than me! Don’t expect to earn anything from domestic media, they’ll give you a couple of bucks for a front page photo! Don’t know about you, but I can’t bother with that!

b) the ease of getting an working under a journalist visa.

- I applied once, just after the King’s takeover and arrest of democratic leaders – they weren’t keen at all about giving anybody a journalist visa at that time. But it should be easier now, although Nepal’s Ministry of Information do not recognize freelancers… You need to work for a magazine or agency. You also need to show them some of your published stories from Nepal - pretty hard when you haven’t been here yet! So you’ll probably have to stay on a tourist visa at first and get something published before it expires – maximum 5 months. Otherwise you need to go to India or so, and come back after 1. Jan next year to get another 5 months… Really stupid…

- Alternatives to journalist visa are student visa and marriage visa – as things have turned out, I’m now staying on the latter!

c) other things as safety for a female photographer traveling in the country, living expenses etc

- Nepal is fairly safe, also for females. Normal people are quite friendly and peaceful. But you do need to be careful if you plan to head into the wilderness with a single Nepalese male guide or so. They tend to get some ideas! Also, walking the small streets of Kathmandu, alone, after dark, you need to be a little careful. Don’t dress yourself very revealing!

- Generally speaking, the law and order situation is going up and down a lot, depending on the political climate etc. The Tarai part (Southern flatlands) of Nepal is probably the most lawless part. But still, 99% of people are friendly and helpful.

- Living expenses, that’s the good news. Depending on your standards, you should be able to find a totally decent little apartment for about 5000-10,000 rupees per month (100-200 USD). If you prefer to eat in Western restaurants, perhaps you need a similar budget for food. Eating in the local tandoori and momo shops is dirt cheap, a dollar per meal or so. Quite tasty too, but your stomach probably needs to get used to it! Cooking yourself is also quite cheap, of course. - Getting around, busses are cheap but slow and anything but comfortable, small 12-seater airplanes criss-cross the country every hour and will cost you a couple of hundred dollars for a seat. Inside Kathmandu, just take a taxi or get yourself a bike!