So there was an article that was circulating among the creative world a while back that spoke to the issue of "using" one's photographer/design/artistic friends for free services. Since I have personally experienced this, and intend to use my photographic talents as my main source of income, I decided to rewrite the article from my own (sincere) perspective.
Now hear me out before you read this, I LOVEEEE giving photos away and serving others through my work. However, I want to make the official statement that this is my job with which I will support myself, so free and/or deeply discounted services cannot foot the bill of living. Now this can be tricky when family members and close friends ask for work. If I had it my way I wouldn't charge anyone anything, but if I want to continue to bring forth my best work and provide for myself in a way that allows me to continue working in this field, I cannot give all the time. It is actually quite insulting to be asked to work for free.
Example requests:
1) "Sarah, this would be a great opportunity for you to gain some experience."
Now, at first glance this is a pretty benign statement. I love going places and learning new things, but I have crossed the point of shooting purely for experience. I have spent years delving into the photo world, talking with professionals, learning under professionals, learning in the classroom, and doing free work for experience purposes. Every shoot I go on will give me experience, that is not the issue....nor is it what I'm chasing right now. I am a young business owner in pursuit of passion driven profit.
2) "Hey you should come hang out at this event and take some pics! Anything you take will be appreciated!"
I'm sure your event is awesome! I love events and people and being creative in different environments, but something has got to pay to put the gas in my car to get there.
3) "This would give you great exposure!"
While this again may be true, the same principle as above applies.
4) All you do is make profit! You already have a camera and a computer....why do you have to ask for so much!?
WRONG! Photography is littered with expenses.....from equipment upgrades (multi-hundred/thousand dollar lenses, pricey software updates, repair costs, printing costs, gas money to get to a shoot, not to mention my time) It is nowhere near a financial walk in the park.
What the creative person wants you to know:
1) Asking us to volunteer and abusing our time are two different things. I love volunteering and will continue to do that forever, but I will do so on my own terms.
2) The short time I spend taking photos with you is only the tip of the ice burg. All of the post processing takes longer than you'd think!
3) My time is valuable. If you are coming to me to do a job for you, I'm going to assume that you don't have the skill set yourself or that you don't want to take the time to mess with doing a shoot yourself. If you don't want to pay for the product, there are other clients I could be working with that will.
4) It is insulting to me when you ask for free things. Every now and then, I get it.....but just because we know one another doesn't mean I can afford to hand out my services. Photographers normally start photographing for friends, friends of friends, and family, so excluding everyone I know from paying would mean I couldn't continue my work. You wouldn't ask your waitress to knock $10 off of your bill just because you didn't feel like paying it would you? Same applies to me.
So for all of you out there who know photographers or artists, please respect their gifts and time! Our jobs are just as real as yours, and our needs are just as real as yours. The best way to honor your photographer friends and show them that you value their talents is to hire them.
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