Trying to get my foot in the door...for free?

[packerfanmag]

I'm a new food photographer and I'm trying to get my foot in the door, get some experience, and build a portfolio. As such, I am pretty clueless about the whole photography industry but I am learning!

Here's the issue: I recently met a woman who runs a cupcake business out of her household. In looking at her website, I realized I could offer much better photos than what she has on her site. Her cupcakes are amazing but the pictures are quite sad I was considering contacting her and (tactfully) offering to take some pictures of her products. I was going to do it for free, partially because both her husband and I are veterans but also because I have only had one paying gig thus far and I was paid in a case of wine.

Am I crazy to do things for free?

Also, I would like to be able to use these photos for my portfolio and potential future use--is there something that I should have her sign if she takes me up on it?

Is this the kind of things that newbies (should) do?

Thanks for any advice!

[Jim Bryant]

Yes, you are crazy for offering to do it for free. If her cup cakes are so amazing, maybe you two could swap services. Photos for cup cakes. Go to Barnes & Nobles, Border Books and check out their food books as well as those in the photography section. Food photography is pretty specialized and you need to know styling, lighting and camera angles and a lot of time involved in order to make the food look good.

[Eastree]

The only benefit you would get is portfolio building; just keep that in mind.

Really, no one is going to look at her web site and think, "I wonder who photographed this for her?" At least chances of that are very, very slim.

Unless the woman running the business knows someone else needing a product photographer, word of mouth likely won't happen. And if it does, you might be promoted as, "... and he did it for free! He just wanted photographs for his portfolio." Asking for a sitting fee at that point might lose you the job.

I'd maybe suggest doing some example work on your own, and using that to show her what you can do. It would also build your portfolio. Also, start off asking for a fee, but if you're willing to do it free, this could get REALLY touchy.

OK, on to your questions:

No, you're not crazy for it. You're just running some risks for doing it free.

YES! Have her sign something! EVERY shoot for other than just fun needs a contract and/or release. It's where the time, number of shots, expectations, and terms of usage are laid out between the photographer and the client. I've listed a few sample terms below.

As far as whether this is something people new to professional photography SHOULD do, that's very much up for debate. If you play your cards right, it can potentially work to your advantage. There are some other threads about that floating around here.

OK, some items that could be used in a VERY simple contract (discussion of terms is why a consultation is so often necessary before a shoot):
* If you plan to take a light tent/seamless white backdrop or box, list it.
* If you plan to use the bakery itself at the setting, list it.
* Time of the shoot
* Amount of time FOR the shoot
* Who will be present AT the shoot
* Whether the shoot will be in the dining/ordering area of the building, or in the kitchen, or what
* What comes of the cupcakes? They really can't be sold after being handled.
* Time expectations for delivery of the final product: prints? Files on CD? Just the re-touched web resoluton images? Full resolution? Both? Will she be able to rely on you for further manipulation? (If yes to the final, put it in the contract. If not, the client is responsible for manipulation, adaptation, and creation of advertisements ... or something like that).
* (Minimum) number of photographs to be taken
* Number of photographs expected at the end result
* Whether you retain copyright (you should, unless this is being considered a work for hire, in which case she will have the copyright, but you retain permission to use the photographs in your physican and/or online portfolio(s)), and allowances for the bakery or its owner to use the images and how, and allowances for YOU to use the images, and how. Why? If you upload her cupcate pics to a stock photo site, you've devalued her advertising to "stock photos" of cupcakes that anyone can download and use.

This could easily go on and on. Some contracts are many pages. It's partially why discussion of terms before the shoot is so very important. Let her read the contract before you set up the first bit of equipment, so she knows it reflects what you have agreed to.

[packerfanmag]

Jim,
Thanks for the response! I assure you, I'm not another person with a P&S trying to water down the profession I have taken some classes, read some books, and attended a seminar on food photography. I'm not insinuating that I'm a pro; I'm just ready to start letting people besides my mom and my husband see my pictures I figure I gotta start somewhere!

Would an appropriate message be something like:

"Dear Sally,
I really enjoyed your cupcakes the other day! I came across your attractive website and I would like to offer you some photographs of your products to put on your site. Would you be willing to do an exchange of services? I am trying to build a portfolio at the moment so I am not looking to capitalize off of you. However, I would really love some of your (fill-in-the-blank)!

Please let me know if you are interested. I can send you some of my photographs I have already taken, if you would like to see them. I look forward to hearing from you soon."

[packerfanmag]

Wow Eastree!
Thanks for much for the thoughtful response. I'm really itching to get into the industry, I just want to do it right--and to proceed slowly.

I'm not interested at all in publicity. I'm looking for some practice and portfolio building-I figure this is a good opportunity because I could not possibly do any worse than what she's got now-ha!

Thanks again!

[fotoworx]

I think Eastree nailed it, listen to good advise and I hope you do well.


Photography Tips

[sk66]

No, you are not "crazy". When I first started making custom guitar electronics, I gave them away to professional players...It's called "product development"..I got their professional opinions, I was allowed to modify their guitars, and was able to refine my skills and product to where I now charge high prices for custom wound pickups.
You will get the same, refine your skills and "product" so that you are "marketable".

And as far as using the pics, you will own the rights to the images so a contract is not required.

Having said that, I would not first choose to work for free and a contract is still beneficial in making sure expectations are aligned and to prevent miscommunication. You are giving away a product that will be of benefit to the receiver and they are giving you nothing but some time (from their perspective). Getting "something" in return and having some form of contract will both go a long ways in your being perceived as a professional..(even if it's as an "aspiring professional" wanting to build their portfolio)

[Jim Poor]

Did you by chance take photos of her cupcakes?

Send one as a sample (watermarked) and then offer your barter.

If you didn't, find an excuse to order a batch, shoot them, and see above. :-)

I shoot for free frequently. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. I even offered to shoot some senior portraits recently for free, just because I've never done it before.

Will you get more business out of it? Possibly. People tend to hang out with people of similar interestes. The cupcake lady probably knows a lot of other people in the food industry, and it's not a bad idea to have a reference for future work. You can always say "For an example of my work, look at the cupcake lady's website". It's a good way of portraying that you have experience and give the client a warm-fuzzy that you'll do quality work.

Old pros diss shooting for free, but I think it has a lot of benefits. Experience. Portfolio. Marketting. Sure you don't want to do it forever, but it can get the ball rolling.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by packerfanmag

Jim,
Thanks for the response! I assure you, I'm not another person with a P&S trying to water down the profession I have taken some classes, read some books, and attended a seminar on food photography. I'm not insinuating that I'm a pro; I'm just ready to start letting people besides my mom and my husband see my pictures I figure I gotta start somewhere!

Would an appropriate message be something like:

"Dear Sally,
I really enjoyed your cupcakes the other day! I came across your attractive website and I would like to offer you some photographs of your products to put on your site. Would you be willing to do an exchange of services? I am trying to build a portfolio at the moment so I am not looking to capitalize off of you. However, I would really love some of your (fill-in-the-blank)!

Please let me know if you are interested. I can send you some of my photographs I have already taken, if you would like to see them. I look forward to hearing from you soon."

I didn't say that did I? You assumed I would have said something tacky as such.
In fact you answered just how you would approach the subject with her. All I'm telling you is not do it for free. Your time and effort is certainly worth something to you. (1.) Besides, I'm not a food photographer, even through I do take killer food shots. (2.) you're not in my area to be competitive. (3.) And certainly not in my league.
To -- Eastree -- Great advice and more thoughtful advice than what I mentioned, but I was on my way out the door to shoot a corporate assignment. Sally, sorry if what I said offended you, but maybe I would have waited until later to answer your question. If you still want me to view some of your food shots I'd still like to see and comment on them.
Regards,
Jim