Shoot free / Teach free = same / same?

[Jim Poor]

I'm curious how you all feel about this one.

Many of us fight against the whole "I'll shoot for free" bit quite regularly, yet many of us also coach/teach/advise for free on a regular basis.

In the 'real' world, I also do photo instruction and get paid for it.

On another forum, I spent countless hours teaching, coaching, critiquing, etc - all for free.

So, why do we do it?

Is it self promotion?
Ego?
A need to "protect" the industry from the uneducated?
Philanthropy?

[mad editor]

It's called mentoring.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by mad editor

It's called mentoring.

Okay, but I pay $90 per hour for "mentoring" from a marketing coach.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

I'm curious how you all feel about this one.

Many of us fight against the whole "I'll shoot for free" bit quite regularly, yet many of us also coach/teach/advise for free on a regular basis.

In the 'real' world, I also do photo instruction and get paid for it.

On another forum, I spent countless hours teaching, coaching, critiquing, etc - all for free.

So, why do we do it?

Is it self promotion?
Ego?
A need to "protect" the industry from the uneducated?
Philanthropy?

I don't know? But it doesn't go unappreciated! I guess this would be a good opportunity to say thanks to you Jim, and everyone else who has helped me on my photographic journey!

[candidrachel]

You do it because you choose to do it.

I've seen people completely ripped to shreds on this forum with no proper advice or mentoring. It's actually really upsetting and I've shed a few tears on their behalf In those cases its usually the pros who remain completely smug but in the real world its normally the pros who are more than happy to spill the beans on what it takes to become successful.

It must be an internet thing.

[mad editor]

I mentor teenagers. I have mentored adults as well. I know it's all semantics, but I'd never call paid coaching "mentoring."

[SusanH1970]

I help out others to give back to the photographic community. There's so much I've learned (for free), so it just makes me feel good to be in a position to do so myself. I guess that would be philanthropy. All the reasons you stated seem pretty valid, though.

[mad editor]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

You do it because you choose to do it.

I've seen people completely ripped to shreds on this forum with no proper advice or mentoring. It's actually really upsetting and I've shed a few tears on their behalf In those cases its usually the pros who remain completely smug but in the real world its normally the pros who are more than happy to spill the beans on what it takes to become successful.

It must be an internet thing.

You are SO right! It's a lot easier to tear someone up online than in person!

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

You do it because you choose to do it.

I've seen people completely ripped to shreds on this forum with no proper advice or mentoring. It's actually really upsetting and I've shed a few tears on their behalf In those cases its usually the pros who remain completely smug but in the real world its normally the pros who are more than happy to spill the beans on what it takes to become successful.

It must be an internet thing.

Yeah, there's a bit of that. Like this sort of bashing that was a complete non-sequitor which basically labeled a poster as being from a trailer-trash family?

The wedding that you did - are they relatives of yours? The wedding couple didn't seem to make much effort with their attire especially the Groom I mean why was he getting married in t-shirt?? and were they having their reception in a trailer??

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by mad editor

I mentor teenagers. I have mentored adults as well. I know it's all semantics, but I'd never call paid coaching "mentoring."

Okay, but why is it perceived as okay to give away "mentoring" when it's not okay to give away work?