Looks like about time to give up on Craigslist

[funcrunch]

I was thinking about creating a separate ad in the "creative services" section of Craigslist in addition to or in place of my weekly event services ad since I've been shooting more portraits lately. I was well aware of the cheap shoot-and-burners, but today's offer takes the cake, so to speak: Free wedding photography.

Now even if this particular ad is a scam or soon gets flagged and removed, it does set the bar rather low, don't you think?

[zona5101]

I dunno. I have listened to a lot of interviews of well established pro wedding photogs and almost all of them say they shot their first few for family or for free. If you need to build a portfolio I suppose that is one way. Probably not much different that arranging a model mayhem trade for images. I think the big problem is if the people in the ad you posted continue to give it away and the "building a portfolio" is just a scam.

[andyw]

I don't actually get what they are doing though.
They seem to be saying they are already doing weddings at 2.5k normally but will do this one for free for their portfolio.

I would have thought that they would already have plenty for their book??

Who knows what goes through the minds of "craiglisters"?

[Jim Bryant]

If they are already "established" why work for free?

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

If they are already "established" why work for free?

Exactly! If they would really "normally" charge $2,500 then there is no reason to offer 8 hours of coverage for free. Which is why I think this is not entirely legit. But just seeing "Free wedding photography" in the list sets the bar so low it makes my blood boil, as weddings are the one remaining event where people still seem to be willing to shell out some cash for an actual pro photog.

Anyway, CL is not the only place I've advertised, and I have gotten several paying jobs through it. But it's clear this is not where my desired client base resides...

[MattG]

I think the interesting thing in the wording is that though they offer to cover 8 hours for free and place a value on it, there is no mention of prints or other materials at the end. So as I see it, they are waiving their attendance fee to build a portfolio set of images with the probability of charging for prints/albums/etc.

[kingpatzer]

Originally Posted by MattG

I think the interesting thing in the wording is that though they offer to cover 8 hours for free and place a value on it, there is no mention of prints or other materials at the end. So as I see it, they are waiving their attendance fee to build a portfolio set of images with the probability of charging for prints/albums/etc.

I think that's the read I'm getting too. Basically this is someone who is trying to be a $5k per event photographer who isn't getting booked. They're waiving their "pay me to show up" fee, but you still get to buy the prints.

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by kingpatzer

I think that's the read I'm getting too. Basically this is someone who is trying to be a $5k per event photographer who isn't getting booked. They're waiving their "pay me to show up" fee, but you still get to buy the prints.

If they think they're worth $5K or even $2.5K, they should have a real web presence to link to, and not be using free image hosting for their ad...

[Niresangwa]

The only conceivable idea I can come up with is that they recently relocated, and want to keep their hand in while they generate another client base..

...but even then it doesn't explain why they can't show a portfolio.

More likely they're just starting out, and have their price point established already, now need to generate a wedding portfolio before they go full bore.

I googled the studio quickly and didnt find a webpage.

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I googled the studio quickly and didnt find a webpage.

Yep, I checked for one as well. Even on Craigslist, I can't imagine going with any vendor that hides behind anonymity. I always put my full name, business phone number, and web address in my CL ads, and until recently included my e-mail address in full, unobscured text as well (I prefer to deal with the spam rather than making it harder for potential clients to reach me). When I posted the last ad I was forced to either use the anonymous address or have replies sent to my CL address, which is different than my preferred business e-mail, so I chose the former. But people can and should still click through to my web site and contact me there.

I'm now checking out Angie's List and other places where I might find a less bargain-basement mentality. (I've run Google and Facebook campaigns as well.)