Working for free

[Jim Bryant]

Here's six real life stories where photographers were expected to work for free.
6 Real-Life Stories Where Photographers Were Expected To Work For Free - A Picture's Worth | PhotoShelter

[Jim Bryant]

Please do so and many thanks!

Stuff like this happens in every industry, not just photography. Photographers just whine about it the most.

And here's my story about shooting free:

"I got a call from a major charity organization inquiring about my photo booth services (- Red Curtain Photo Booth) for a fund-raising dinner (food, dancing, silent auction) They said that they had talked to a lot of photographers, and their quotes were out of their budget. They was thinking the photo booth would be a good idea instead, but at $875, I was a bit out of their range too.

I suprised her when I said I don't charge non-profits, and we'd be happy to bring the photo booth to their event. She asked about normal photography as well, wanting photos of the guest speakers and event details. I said 'No problem', we can donate that as well.

The event was a lot of fun. Everyone had a blast in the photo booth, and I got lots of great photos of the speakers and little details. I put them all on a website for people to download...for free. I didn't get a dime for my efforts..."

...or did I? Last weekend I took the photo booth to a wedding for one of the hotel staff's (the dinner was in a hotel ballroom) daughter. She heard about it from her father and thought it was an awesome idea. Tomorrow I'm shooting an engagement session for one of the event planner's daughters, and next year I'm shooting their wedding. Another event planner was inquiring about baby photos. Suddenly, my "shooting for free" has turned into a few thousand in sales.

And pros know how these thing snowball...one good job can turn into multiple referals, which can lead to more jobs and more referals.

[summerbl4ck]

Originally Posted by Photoboothguy

Stuff like this happens in every industry, not just photography. Photographers just whine about it the most.

Absolutely--even those of us in advertising/marketing get asked for free consults! And great perspective on the photography side. I like your attitude!

[danbaileyphoto]

Sometimes shooting for free can be a very legitimate marketing tactic. Every photographer has to decide whether doing a job for free will open up opportunities for future jobs. Sometimes it will and sometimes it won't. When it comes to non profits, they shouldn't expect that you'd do the job for free, but it's perfectly ok to donate your services to a cause you believe in, or else do the job as good PR.

There can actually be a lot to gain by giving away your services for free on certain occasions. Again, you're the one to make that call whether it's worth it or not. Sounds like Photoboothguy actually came out ahead on his deal.

[Swisstony10]

I got asked to do some work for a sports equipment manufacturer, for a new product launch - I quoted the guy who called me (a contact through a charity organisation I work with) my day and half-day rates. He explained that the company he was calling me on behalf of wanted a couple of short shoots - one for an hour or so on one day, and one for an hour or so the next day, and since that was only a couple of hours in total would I charge them my day rate (which is slightly less than two half-days).

I know he was only trying to get the best price for his client, so I just explained that the shoots were on different days, and that, coupled with the extra travelling involved (twice the number of journeys etc) meant that it'd be two half days.

He didn't push especially hard, but even so, I stuck to my guns, and got the two half-day rates.

[candleman]

working for free can have advantages.., however the majority of the time its a case of being over the barrel.

OH, and once they get something for free once... the more they expect
heres a funny take on it
"It's like twitter. Except we charge people to use it."

[BK553]

Shooting for free can definitely lead to paying work. CAN, but doesn't always. You have to use some common sense and some business savvy. A lot of the advice against free shooting comes from the older photogs, worried that the free shooters are somehow stealing their work, and "devaluing" the industry. The hard truth is that dslrs are cheap, easy to use, and everywhere. This wan't the case with photography 20 years ago, which is why you have to work even harder to be better than everyone else. If another photog wants $1000 for a small photo shoot, and I'm happy to do it for $800, and the client is happy either way, it's the other guys problem, not mine. That's how it works in every industry.

Remember, the people who don't want you to work for free are the people who were working for free 20 years ago, and want to get paid now. Everyone has done it.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by BK553

If another photog wants $1000 for a small photo shoot, and I'm happy to do it for $800, and the client is happy either way, it's the other guys problem, not mine. That's how it works in every industry.

Exactly. It then becomes your problem when someone else offers to do it for $600

I don't believe that most "pro's" advising against free/cheap work are scared of losing business to the weekend warrior. More a case of their experience seeing that it's a losing game for everyone concerned. The client that ponies up $500 for their wedding isn't my concern, same as the client paying me $2500 isn't going to pay the next guy up the ladder who charges $6000.

You're right as well about them having probably done it 20 years ago, themselves. There's probably a good reason they're saying to be careful 20 years later. If I look back at decisions I made 20 years ago...geez... and those were just hairstyles and clothes, nothing as important as trying to launch a business...

[IainM]

Originally Posted by candleman

heres a funny take on it
"It's like twitter. Except we charge people to use it."

freakin' hilarious....