This add brings a smile to my face

[scootermcq]

Here is the actual add:

Photographers/Brides - City of Toronto Photography & Video Services - Kijiji City of Toronto Canada.

I got a chuckle when I read this one. If it is someone on this site.... kudos. We should all behave this way instead of cutting each other's throats.

When it expires, I have cut and paste it below here......

Hire me, I'm not cheap

Now for my add
I am Seeking hardworking service providers...
I'm a fabulously wealthy photographer / artist making money hand over fist.

Here's what I need: A mechanic to overhaul my custom '57 Chevy.
...A maid to clean my house on a regular basis
A doctor to perform some minor surgery on me.
A band to perform theme music for me where ever I go.

A carpenter and electrician to build an extra wing on my sweet house in East Austin.
A nanny to watch my spoiled kids.

Of course there will be no pay involved. In return for your services you will get FULL CREDIT on my website, AND you can add all of this work to your PORTFOLIO! If you ask me, this is an absolutely awesome deal!
I hope to have you work for me soon!

-------
So the short of it is, DO NOT GIVE YOUR WORK AWAY
And on the Client side, DON'T ASK FOR US TO DO IT FOR FREE. because we can use your photo for our website....
When you sign a contract you sign a model release form, this includes you the bridal party and everyone at the event.

But then again, it is us/you the Photogs killing the market, stop it and get out.
Forget the freebies, you will never be worth anything if you keep giving it for free.
Go get real training from a workshop or two.

Brides/Clients....Budget for the limo, the cake , the dj , or the flowers these will not be around for your kids, or grandkids to see/eat the photos however WILL last forever.
cherish them and pay properly for them.
I regret 9 years ago paying $800 for FILM and only getting the photog for the church and park.
I wish I spent the funds and got a real hard working Artist.

That's a REALLY old joke.

Been posted only 4 or 5 million times in other capacities.

~Eric

Yeah, just another angry old pro venting on the internet.

On the flip side, I got a call from someone this week who said "Thank you for donating your services to the American Cancer Society. We love the photos...can we put you down for next year? And are you available to shoot my daughter's wedding next fall?". So yes, shooting for free can pay off in the long run. It's a risk, but so is every other marketting tactic.