12 Bogus excuses for shooting photos for free

[Jim Bryant]

Here's something I ran across that will surely generate a discussion. 12 Excuses for Shooting Photos for Free — and Why They’re Bogus | Black Star Rising

[dakwegmo]

This guy seems to have a serious chip on his shoulder. I understand there are wannabe photographers out there completely pulling the rug out from under those trying to make a living, but a lot of the situations he describes aren't going to hurt a serious pro in the slightest.

[candidrachel]

I like the way he uses the word "excuses" rather than "reasons".

Working for "free" brings with it experience, consequences and for the right person, opportunities. As long as you are honest and upfront on the outset and state your case firmly that once this "free" session is over you will start charging full wack.

The writer of that article is just one of many who has an opinon on this touchy subject some bits I agree with other bits I don't.

[wildbird]

Very serious chip on that shoulder :-) Same as almost every business, imagine taxi drivers getting upset because someone walked to work, or like on The family guy when they had the family of nudists - and those kids threw stuff at the nudist kid in the mall and said "my dads a tailor!". As a software engineer, I see it all the time, whether it be getting interns in to do work that I could have done, it eventually gets to the point if the company wants things to work properly, they get a professional in. Same as for photographers, if they are serious, they will get a serious pro in. Companies or clients who get people in for free wre likely NEVER going to pay for a professional in any case.

Agreed. Just another whiny pro.

[Kretch]

No Offense, but that dude's seen more action than all you guys put together

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by Kretch

No Offense, but that dude's seen more action than all you guys put together

So, you're saying he's entitled to have a chip on his shoulder?

[Kretch]

No, but what you consider a chip, I consider wise experience.
Just a matter of opinion.

One of the greatest obstacles for people, is their pride in thinking they are as good or better than pros and don't want to learn from them.
You think you know everything, start your own college.

_

[BigVinnie]

Sounds like a cry baby to me.

I do agree that you should never work for free but that does not always mean money should change hands.

Examples:

I've done a shoot for a salon where payment was a stylist and MUA for one of my paid shoots.

I've shot a car for free where the car was later provided for free for a paid shoot.

Models have learned that TFP is a good way to get started. Photographers need to understand the TF??? where the ??? needs to be something of value, not just time for nothing.

That would make a much more useful blog post.

[Daisho]

Well, just because he is a "pro" does not necessarily mean he has the holy grail of wisdom and the answer to "all". Should people consider his "advice" sure, it is free . But I don't have to take what ever he says and make it into my practice.
I "worked" (funny word since I didn't get any for it), so far, only for free. Mainly because I take pictures for me and to share my "life" with my family and friends who happen to be scattered all over the globe. And only this year I've taken steps to get pro one day...

Here is the thing, I practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (if you have to look it up) and my trainer is a world champion, who has produced world champions and pros. But like in Jits, as in everything in life, everybody has an individual take to it and what works for my trainer does not always work for me, once because I am not yet as skilled as he is and second because he has a bit more dominating physiology than I do.
But here comes the kicker, I listen to him and if something applies to "my game" I'll incorporate it, if not I won't bother with it. And I have had some serious success with "my take" to the game, despite the fact that I did things he strongly advised against. Because it works for ME.
To make a long story short, if his advice applies to you, and you find yourself giving freebies only and nothing comes from it, well you should try another angle/approach, maybe his. But if you get booked because you gave a free sample (marketing people!) then more power to you.