I bring you another text for a long discussion, and this time it’s about filming for free. The author is John Harrington of Black Star Rising
Ninety percent of small businesses fail in the first two years. With a few exceptions, working for free is the fastest way for freelance photographers to be part of that 90%.
Here are some excuses I’ve heard to work for free, as well as my answers:
This is a great way to access this so-called “free” market. How many times do you think the musicians fucked up too much and kicked the record companies’ ass?Too many to count. Don’t make the same mistake.
Romance with yourself being a hungry artist? It’s not really a good thing. It’s nice when you have a chai latte tea with your beret at the local café listening to beatniks recite your noisy poetry, but otherwise, it’s another good way to keep hungry. Making a print/CD exchange is for C-class models and photographers who almost never become professionals. And even if you think it helps you with your lighting techniques, does it help you grow in the area that matters most?your work is valuable.
It’s good to be a good neighbor. On the other hand, you may soon receive many invitations to weddings and bar mitzvah, with the suggestion: “Hey, why don’t you bring your digital camera?”We’d love to have pictures, and could you really save us money?Now, are you a better neighbor than you intended to be?and you set aside a local wedding photographer as a “peak. “Or, if you answer with, “Ah, these Christmas photos were one thing at a time, I charge for the shoots, ” you’ll probably have something like this: “Come on, neighbor, you’ll be there anyway!?
A free photo printer? I mean, one of the dozens of printers your company received for free, when you shipped the latest batch of Dell or HP processors?As someone who clicked for more than half of Fortune 500 companies, I can tell you that I earned $1,000 or more for the task of clicking on corporate picnics, celebrations, etc. It’s not glamorous, but it helps pay bills, that is, unless someone wants to do it for a free printer. By the way, who secured their personal equipment against soft drink spills or any other accidents?Let me guess: no one.
All right, word of mouth. Hey, do I know this photographer who’s going to click for free?Congratulations! You just got known all over town as the guy who doesn’t expect to get paid for his job, maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll even launch a customer who’ll offer to buy your lunch.
No, will this result in more requests to take pictures?Friends, friends of friends, then people who just don’t want to pay to have their photos, and you’ll make many new friends among professional retratists whose livelihood is harmful. !
Guess what, computer scientist? When night work in India requires more than your daytime work, don’t call me crying. Also, don’t bother trying to make a living from your ‘passion’, because you’re already doing everything you can to undermine your chances?like everyone else.
Another student photographer who doesn’t care about money. I predict that when Sallie Mae hears a call to repay the loans that financed her studies, the money will be much more important to you. And I guess you’ll have to do it, too, worry about things like food, rent and clothes. But still, Mom and Dad are paying for everything, which isn’t really for you to bray about.
Will you work for the photo credit? It is today one of the most assiduous mindsets of photographers. You’re not helping anyone, not even yourself. All you do is kill editorial opportunities for others.
Is this a photography school where you won’t have any experience!Your problem is that you just want to take pictures instead of doing homework. Don’t wait for work, you sell to people who are willing to pay for your services. the contacts you make are worth as much as your photo to them.
No, actually, pixels aren’t free, but thanks for playing. Cameras and shutters have a lifespan of a few hundred thousand clicks. Divide the number of free clicks you’ve made by the cost of the camera and you’ll get to get an idea of the cost of this test, not counting the cost of Photoshop for post-production, raw file storage, CD burning for your customers, etc.
Of course, you have offers and orders coming to you from all directions. The same goes for the drunk girl at the club who jumps over the slippery oak counter with a short skirt and no panties and says, “If you see what you want, I’ll be in the back to offer it for free. “Are you surprised a queue is forming immediately? So you’re going to help the others?How about helping those who make a living producing photographs for no less than them?This is the best way to ensure that beautiful photographs continue to benefit the world.