Dear potential photo buyer,
If you have been directed to this page, it is likely that you have requested the use of an image or images for free or minimal compensation.
As professional photographers, we receive requests for free images on a regular basis. In a perfect world, each of us would love to be able to respond in a positive manner and assist, especially with projects or efforts related to areas such as education, social issues, and conservation of natural resources. It is fair to say that in many cases, we wish we had the time and resources to do more to assist than just send photographs.
Unfortunately, such are the practicalities of life that we are often unable to respond, or that when we do, our replies are brief and do not convey an adequate sense of the reasons underlying our response.
Circumstances vary for each situation, but we have found that there are a number of recurring themes, which we have set out below with the objective of communicating more clearly with you, and hopefully avoiding misunderstandings or unintentionally engendering ill will.
Please take the following points in the constructive manner in which they are intended. We certainly hope that after you have had a chance to read this, we will be able to talk again and establish a mutually beneficial working relationship.
Photographs Are Our Livelihood
Creating compelling images is the way we make our living. If we give away our images for free, or spend too much time responding to requests for free images, we cannot make a living.
We Do Support Worthy Causes With Images
Most of us do contribute photographs, sometimes more, to support certain causes. In many cases, we may have participated directly in projects that we support with images, or we may have a pre-existing personal relationship with key people involved with the efforts concerned. In other words, each of us can and does provide images without compensation on a selective basis.
We Have Time Constraints
Making a leap from such selective support to responding positively to every request we get for free photographs, however, is impractical, if for no other reason than the substantial amount of time required to respond to requests, exchange correspondence, prepare and send files, and then follow-up to find out how our images were used and what objectives, if any, were achieved. It takes a lot of time to respond to requests, and time is always in short supply.
Pleas of “We Have No Money” Are Often Difficult to Fathom
The primary rationale provided in nearly all requests for free photographs is budgetary constraint, meaning that the requestor pleads a lack of funds.
Such requests frequently originate from organisations with a lot of cash on hand, whether they be publicly listed companies, government or quasi-government agencies, or even NGOs. Often, it is a simple matter of taking a look at a public filing or other similar disclosure document to see that the entity concerned has access to significant funding, certainly more than enough to pay photographers a reasonable fee should they choose to do so.
To make matters worse, it is apparent that all too often, of all the parties involved in a project or particular effort, photographers are the only ones being asked to work for free. Everyone else gets paid.
Given considerations like this, you can perhaps understand why we frequently feel slighted when we are told that: “We have no money.” Such claims can come across as a cynical ploy intended to take advantage of gullible individuals.
We Have Real Budget Constraints
With some exceptions, photography is not a highly remunerative profession. We have chosen this path in large part due to the passion we have for visual communication, visual art, and the subject matters in which we specialise.
The substantial increase in photographs available via the internet in recent years, coupled with reduced budgets of many photo buyers, means that our already meager incomes have come under additional strain.
Moreover, being a professional photographer involves significant monetary investment.
Our profession is by nature equipment-intensive. We need to buy cameras, lenses, computers, software, storage devices, and more on a regular basis. Things break and need to be repaired. We need back-ups of all our data, as one ill-placed cup of coffee could literally erase years of work. For all of us, investment in essential hardware and software entails thousands of dollars a year, as we need to stay current with new technology and best practices.
In addition, travel is a big part of many of our businesses. We must spend a lot of money on transportation, lodging and other travel-related costs.
And of course, perhaps most importantly, there is a substantial sum associated with the time and experience we have invested to become proficient at what we do, as well as the personal risks we often take. Taking snapshots may only involve pressing the camera shutter release, but creating images requires skill, experience and judgement.
So the bottom line is that although we certainly understand and can sympathise with budget constraints, from a practical point of view, we simply cannot afford to subsidise everyone who asks.
Getting “Credit” Doesn’t Mean Much
Part and parcel with requests for free images premised on budgetary constraints is often the promise of providing “credit” and “exposure”, in the form or a watermark, link, or perhaps even a specific mention, as a form of compensation in lieu of commercial remuneration.
There are two major problems with this.
First, getting credit isn’t compensation. We did, after all, create the images concerned, so credit is automatic. It is not something that we hope a third party will be kind enough to grant us.
Second, credit doesn’t pay bills. As we hopefully made clear above, we work hard to make the money required to reinvest in our photographic equipment and to cover related business expenses. On top of that, we need to make enough to pay for basic necessities like food, housing, transportation, etc.
In short, receiving credit for an image we created is a given, not compensation, and credit is not a substitute for payment.
“You Are The Only Photographer Being Unreasonable”
When we do have time to engage in correspondence with people and entities who request free photos, the dialogue sometimes degenerates into an agitated statement directed toward us, asserting in essence that all other photographers the person or entity has contacted are more than delighted to provide photos for free, and that somehow, we are “the only photographer being unreasonable”.
We know that is not true.
We also know that no reasonable and competent photographer would agree to unreasonable conditions. We do allow for the fact that some inexperienced photographers or people who happen to own cameras may indeed agree to work for free, but as the folk wisdom goes: “You get what you pay for.”
Please Follow-Up
One other experience we have in common is that when we do provide photographs for free, we often do not receive updates, feedback or any other form of follow-up letting us know how the event or project unfolded, what goals (if any) were achieved, and what good (if any) our photos did.
All too often, we don’t even get responses to emails we send to follow-up, until, of course, the next time that someone wants free photographs.
In instances where we do agree to work for free, please have the courtesy to follow-up and let us know how things went. A little consideration will go a long way in making us feel more inclined to take time to provide additional images in the future.
Wrap Up
We hope that the above points help elucidate why the relevant photographer listed below has sent you to this link. All of us are dedicated professionals, and we would be happy to work with you to move forward in a mutually beneficial manner.
Note to photographers: You can use the above text under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Please ensure that you include a link to this page. If you’d like to add your name to the list below, please use the contact form. Text by Tony Wu.
Signatories
Tony Wu
Matthew Oldfield
Gunther Deichmann
Douglas David Seifert
Tom Bourdon
Heber Vega
Johan Peijnenburg
Jason Isley
Jon Cornforth
Ezra Millstein
Norbert Wu
Barbara Dengel
Edie Howe
Robin Black
Steve De Neef
Thomas Ozanne
Stephen Dickson
Bernie Greene
Kevin Michael Snyder
Mike Veitch
Jessy Eykendorp
Megan Lorenz
Markus Roth
Mike Spinak
Jon Milnes
Olivier Chapelle
Jeffrey de Guzman
Kah Kit Yoong
EunJae Im
Lee Shelly
Gary Little
Wendy Capili-Wilkie
David Richter
Martin Bay
Alan Majchrowicz
David Farmbrough
Phillip Colla
Maria-Louisa Rosendal Søltoft
Scott Thomas
Serdar Ugurlu
R. Clayton McKee
Billy Suratt
Shariq M. Bijli
Richard Karp
William Neill
Luke Massey
Michele Westmorland
Brian Rueb
Michael Hansen
Zach Frailey
Vicki Gray
Marli Wakeling
Marjo Aho
Michael Russell
Greg Russell
Benjamin Richards
Luca Giustozzi
Neal Pritchard
Stian Holmen
Christian Fletcher
Janice Meyers Foreman
Daniel Hancock
Stacy A. Niedzwiecki
Scott A. Miller
Robert Fisher
D Dipasupil
John Tucker
Michael Steiger
Patrizia Corriero
Thomas McVea
Andrea Ranalli
Ron Lowery
Rob Smith
Dan Hartwright
Erika Szostak Cooper
John Watts-Robertson
Chris Martino
Danielle Melnyczenko
Garry Bowden
Lovella Paradiso
Mark Youlden
Chau Nguyen
Russ Bishop
Olivia Kwok
Carlton SooHoo
Christopher Rusho
Armando Ribeiro
Jane Hobson
Jennifer Langille
Paul Briscoe
Nancy de Flon
Chad Andreo
Robert D. Jones
Brian Mollenkopf
David Arnspiger
Martin Kurt Haglund
Frederic Neema
Thornton Cohen
Jon Luton
Nick Tapsell
Benjamin Hiller
Pierdante Romei
Chris Rakoczy
Jamey Price
Jeremy Cove
Alan MacRae
Cort Anderson
Daniel Appel
Enrique Gijon
Aga photoTOM
Christopher Kimball
Stefan Jeremiah
Bryceworld
Christina Rollo
Gary Brown
John Robinson
Big Sam Photography
Laurent Paillier
Ray Chuss
Penny Hardie
Matt Leitholt
Roger Cotton
QT Luong
Jonathan Martinez
Tiffany Atwell Tertipes
Joe Giron
Jaclyn Tremont
Jarrad Seng
Katja Ogrin
Clay Dewey
Greg Gard
Marcelo Lopez
Rich Soublet
James Stewart
Julie Badrick
Barbara Cook
Jason Bradley
Christopher Hardy
Jerry Greer
Arvind Hoon
Chris Roque
Twyla Lapointe
Zaida Warner
Lenny Warren
Steve Covault
George S Blonsky
Archisman Misra
Joe Carwile
Christy Garrison
Heru Lesmana Syafei
Nik Thavisone
Robert A F van de Voort
Kiran Bhat
Dimitri Visser
Ron Niebrugge
Richard Leonard
Kate Pollard Hoffmann
John Early
Frank Gasteiger
David Henry
Gerry F McHarg
Jason Wilder
Breanna Strauss
Thomas Pickard
JW Hanley
Roshan Crasta
Betty Huth
Daniel Colegrove
Nikhilesh Haval
Jenni Thayer
Robert Serbinenko
Brady Williams
William Alan Photo
Curtis Jermany
Preston Aldous
Harry Kikstra
Cubic Foto
Jep Señir
Eric Zaworski
Julia Chesky
Phil Ejercito
Tunc Yavuzdogan
Matt McLemore
Karen Bobotas
Natalie Dawn LeBlanc
Christian Champagne
Lori Kincaid
Richard B. McGee
Mariya Mova
David Gardiner García
David Robert Perez
Kelly Bolin
Clark Miller
Nik Muhammad Hafiz
Jett Britnell
Daniel Knighton
Warren Baverstock
Arvin Clay
Luke Austin
Mike Melnyk
John Cornicello
Decky Arrizal
Chris Pearsall
Acumen Photography
Melwin Silva
Marco Magallona
Jane Morgan
Premala and Adrian Arul-Gehri
Neil Doig
Jeff Johnson
Susan Gary
Richard Smith
Saquan Stimpson
Siddharth Sirohi
Matthew Farrugia
Bharath Srinivasan
Alex Mustard
Sandra Ford
Mark Gee
Radu Rosca
Sarah Rowland
Souren Mousavi
Charlotte Riddervold
Daniel Ha
Nigel Summers
Zulkiflee Abdul Samad
Dru LeHoux
James Hedley
Trevor D Russell
Bin Photos
Edwyn Low
Matevz Paternoster
Justin Sutcliffe
Marcia Colelli
Clifford White
Dougie Thomson
Cherry Alexander
Chris Winter
Charlie Giblin
Paul Clements
Louise Roberts
Doug Mcgoldrick
Anne Gilbert
Sorin Papuc
Rich Gastwirt
Andy Wright
Laura Luongo
Mary Beth Kratsas
Scott Weldon
James Ferris
Cindy Strickland
John Randell
Mary Stack
Lokhman Hakim
Vishal Dang
Ken McCurdy
Roberto Soncin Gerometta
the pedalling photographer
Aey Komsom
Richard Addison
Karine Aigner
Charlie Varley
Jeff Lynch
Kent Kerschner
Glenn R. Brûlé
Izabelle Hesselberg
Nadine Hutton
Kelly Angard
Tom Bower
Nildo Scoop
Mark Meyer
Tee Batinich
Harvey Mills
Benny Rytter
Worm Carnevale
Chris Keep
Tam Nguyen
Christian Rudman
Robert N Thornhill
The O’Briens
Ram Mohandas Rao
Miikka Skaffari
Kyle Lewis
Fran Ruchalski
Mark Paris
Alessandro Reis
Brad Evans
Melissa Ponder
Louis Allen
Tammy Griffin-Vincent
AYRTON360
Emma Patterson
Timothy Gray
Tony Bullard
Richard Wong
Lara Luz
Tom Sparks
Denise Worden
Jerome White
Jacqueline Perry
Richard Ellis
Sam Whited
Rahul Saha
Rashun Drayton
Adam Gibbs
Lisa Jayne Konopka
Mark & Kerri Lydell
Roger Harman
Jimmy Ng
Bob Caddick
Troy Braun
Antoine Magnier
Dan L. Vander Beek
Naomi Lasdon
Matthew Kovalcik
Mauricio Escruceria
Jason Collin
Riley Kaminer
Stan Evans
Wendy Mayo
David Haas
Natasha Japp
Liza Piper
Rob Baynard
Zowi Stapleton
Edward Chan
Doug Jefford
Haji Iqmal
Chuck Vosburgh
Youssef Ismail
Jo Mertens
Peter Arboine
Michael Earley
Jan Shim
Phil Simha
Nico Zwaneveld
Marco Marzocchi
David Cheok
Anthony Er Photography
Mohamad Radhi
David Barrett
Robert Graham
Abel Guerrero
Gary Gardiner
Tatiana Walker
Stephen Potts
James Brunker
Ónodi Zoltán
Jackie Wu
John Armstrong-Millar
Alex Lloyd Gross
Richard D. Cole
Gavin Slabbert
Elizabeth A. Miller
Alessandra Paul
Sonya Melescu
Martin Tosterud
Felice Fornabaio
Mehmet Imer
CF Salicath
David Neesley
Darren Day
John Moss
Julie Kremen
Syv Ritch
Chris Mallet
Bob Julius
Jason Wilson
Brian Burt
Norris Carden
Phil Taylor
Alain Briot
Nick Coyne
Larry Ledwick
Simon Wedege
Tito Herrera
Karlest Ford
Larry Gasinski
Emmi-Sabina Forsberg
Todd Langkamp
Patrick T. Power
Thomas Geiger
John Chapman
Jim Hunter
Thomas A. Wilson
Pat Brownewell
Keith-Alan DeFranca
Jamie Vesay
Michelle Tricca
Gary O’Brien
Dean Reid
Nikki Wagner
Nathan Clendenin
Guinevere Burnard
Steve Brown
Moya McAllister
Christopher East
Sally Mais
Paul Burdick
Marwan Mahmud
Leon Reid IV
Martyn Chillmaid
MJ Cadle
Steve Karanikos
Paul van Oss
Frank Yuwono
Greg Vojtko
Jim Anderson
Michel Gilbert
Najib Joe Hakim
Josh Jensen
Adam Bacher
Ross Gudgeon
Phil Sokol
Megan Long
Petar Todorinski
Mark Strickland
Barb Mahokin
Ray Akey
Kevin Fitzmaurice-Brown
Matthew Lamb
Marvin Steindler
Colin Lee
Jason Ryman
Dan Beauvais
Thomas Vignaud
Don Johnston
Mario Babiera
j. kiely jr.
Lucia De Giovanni
Dan MacDonald
Carina C. Kircher
Hope Duffy
Antony Scully
Jim Haefner
Demon Lee
Nina Jungbeck
Almond Butterscotch
Richard Ford
Mike White
Shelley Paulson
Nathaniel Abuan
Christoper Michael
Linus Öhman
László Mudra
Jim Dedmon
Andreas J. Focke
Keith Murray
Steve Widoff
Cynthia Wood
Nicholas Penkovsky
Ted Weinstein
David Michael
John Slemp
Karen Carnahan
Mitch Kloorfain
Casey Myers
Serra Wallerius
Alessandro Casagli
Annemarie Gruden
Cary Dean
Raymond Parker
Stephen Matera
Matt Shumate
Nuno Alexandre
Vangelis Feleris
Adam Seward
Ed Book
Gavin Goh
Alejandra Guerrero
Mike Gunnill
Carlos David
Papa Simpson
Jim McNally
Tamela Wooden
Chance Garrick Williams
Paul Hofman
Francesco De Marchi
Thomas Valenzuela
Ralph Mortimore
Quinn M. Bailey
Joy Underwood
Walter Psotka
Michael Raffin
Lisa Daubermann
Richard Olivier
Jordi Benitez
Raimundo Fernandez Diez
Arturo J. Telle
George Mitchell
Savio Rodrigues
Laura Mellcion
Rachael Taylor
Andrew Elsdon
Geoff Moore
Andras Wirth
Heather Rivlin
Timm Eubanks
Paul Franks
Charlie Silverlock
Al Diaz
Mark Andreani
Henk Venter
Dale Rockell
Christophe Naslain
Fredick Impraim
Steven Wayne Rotsch
John Daly
Chris Barton
David Finch
Eric Beracassat
Brianna Owens
Adam Schallau
Chloe Ferres
Ivan Bakardjiev
J. Emerson
Ab Sier
Peter Suba
Paul Spinelli
Hopper Stone
Diana Rui
Albfor
Auditya Venkatesh
Claudia Pellarini
Lynn Redmile
Odille
Mark Thorpe
David Vagg
Freda Roetjens
Bartolomy
Antoni Font
Srinivasa HarshaVardhan Atluri
Diego Alvarado
Martha Busse
Shoaib Mohammed
Rita Delille
James Reid
Simon Cowling
Mary Konchar
Devendra Purbiya
Kevin Gauthier
Torben Raun
James Dittiger
Recreating Reality
John Fowler
Julie Towner
Emil Bosch
Ben Riches
Greg Downing
Guillermo Johnson
Kris Kendrick
Thien Nguyen
Paul S. Robinson
Ray Chin
Nathan Cox
Piers Golden
‘Foto’ Andy McSweeney
Jim Thorp
Moira Pomeroy
Ken Jones
Joergen Geerds
Toni Fong
Matthew Meier
Holger Schulze
Andrew Bodrov
Gerd Deichmeier
Kristina Jentzsch
Riefa Istamar
Thomas Kummerow
Stephan Daub
Juliane Herrmann
Steffen Oliver Riese
Michael Hughes
Joern Sackermann
Anne Oschatz
Peter McFadyen
Francesco Ricciardi
Juergen Held
Jim Hawthorn
Greg Smith
Rutger Burger
Jamie Scott
Robert B. Fishman
Photography By Monica
T. C. Knight
Mike White
Cliff Lawson
Joe Branske
Scruffy Dog Photography
Paul Frederick Chiongson
Reuben Chin
JosepB
Guillaume Groen
Brianne Krilanovich
Jack Ratana
Georgios Athanasiadis
Mark E. Martin
Eddy B
Gordon Lukesh
Diana Miller
Tony Nandi
Mischa Purcell
Claire Leverick
Veronica Sheppard
David Friedlander
Vera Schimetzek
Matthew Kleinrock
Subir Basak
Chris McLennan
Anupam Singh
Sharon Miller
Matt Lit
Emmanuel Coupe
Andrea Marshall
Nassopoulos Spyros
Kostas Petrakis
Jim Chagares
David Brookover
Karola Grabara
G Dan Mitchell
Ron Yates
Jess Lee
Rafael Rodriguez-Vargas
Ben Chase
Eman Ismail
William Morton
Kaspar Palsnov
Ben Gundy
Alex Hewitt
Nick Chill
Nicholas Samaras
Petr Hlavacek
Jeff R. Clow
Portraits by Bukool
Graham Palmer
Georgie
Travis Shpeley
Pinto Horse
Katie Sindle
Rolf Hicker
Jimmy Reed
Chan Raymond
Greg Vaughn
Sheila Smart
Michael Burr
Pearl Bucknall
George McCallum
Rod Datoc
Stan Pritchard
Simon Woodcock
Mike Perris
Irene Becker
Ed Brown
Charles Lupica
Giorgio Guglielmino
David Slater
Mary Hemsworth
Chris Costello
Alex Ramsay
David Tyrer
Sally Montana
Sergio Amiti
Oana Hogrefe
Andy Farrer
Jack Thomas
Alex Maxim
Helen Wallace-Thomson
Teddy Tan
Ng Sok Eng
Stuart Walker
Cumbria Photography
Dinendra Haria
Susan Seubert
Roberta Murray
Elizabeth Edwards
Ken Hurst
Doug Keech
Susan Dabritz
Eirik Grønningsæter
Peter Carroll
Jean Day
Janos Kis
Kent Kerschner
Karl Baird
Thom Wolke
Dave Jackson
Fred Zara
Gavin Gough
Stephanie Kretzschmer
Charlie J Round-Turner
Andrew Wilkinson
Tamzin
David Saunders
Vincent Kostiw
Josh Sterrett
Guy Schlacter
LLemadeo
Dagmar Gester
Lars Schneider
Puneet Vijay
Len Kaufman
Fred Buyle
Parikshit Rao
Karo Holmberg
Stefano Buonamici
Elizabeth R. Rose
Angela Datre
Andrew Clark
Evan McClane
Arj Muñoz
Uge Ferradas
Muhammad Fadli
Darren Williams
Thommy Auguzth
Parth Sanyal
Yohanes Mangitung
Tanya Malott
Brigid McAuliffe
Dalen Stauffer
Paige Eden
Gary Fotographic
Jeanine Thurston
Bryan Mitchell
Robin Lee
Paul-Henri Cahier
Willem Wittenberg
Jason O. Watson
Kory Lidstrom
Veronica Lounge
Craig Ferguson
SaundraU
J. Dennis Arceo
Karen Briggs
Gabriela Gjurekovec
Bryn Williams
Valerio Berdini
Dave Ayerst Davies
Tomas van Houtryve
Valentí Zapater
Dan Coogan
Edgard Marques
Nicole Neuefeind
Dawn Butcher Msp
Maximiliano Brina
Peter Grijmans
Eleanor Kee Wellman
Raymund Isaac
Waffy Casem
Andrew Chester Ong
Stephen J Edgar
Seville Media
Diane Edmonds
Angel M. Sanchez
Alvaro Gonzalez Novoa
Ostro Quentin
Phoenix
Theresa Mount
Jesus Ramon Campos Rodriguez
Donn Parris
Pat Lovell
Lynne Glazer
Ken Chernus
Erik Meza
Lucas Schifres
Lester Rosebrock
Bridget Carlson
Angel Trotter Oyarbide
Seth Butler
Daddy Tjeuw
Mona Dienhart and Chris Lebas
Adam Hanlon
Mark Walker
Patrick J Garrett
Hannele Lahti
Patrick Dekeyser
KenPornillos
Kevin Hill
Emil Mandiraatmadja
Ivan Virgili
Alex Wise
Alain Bouvier
Chris Woodage
Michael Rovnyak
Miguel Angel Paredes
Steven Fogarty
Martin Buckingham
Christina Bentheim
Andre Mustapha
Tina Schwarz
Roark Masbad
Adrien Bernard
Art Brewer
Piotr Pociecha
Rebecca Watkins
Clovis Gauzy
Alan Scholl
Rich Kessler
Weizhong
Attila Volgyi
Nazim Lokhandwala
Angela Allan
Pete Webb
Damien Lovegrove
Henley Bailey
Cengkih Studio
Iskandar Ibrahim
Brian Tremblay
Simon ‘SIMpixels’ Tainton
Christopher Brick ABIPP
Chris Dee
Graham Baker
Denise Swanson
Kayla Walls
Stan Glass
Andre Mouton
Parris Whittingham
Gozzee Photography
Ahmed Alharthy
Nathalie Vu-Dinh
Maria Munn
Jose P. Gegundez
Aydin Tuna Palabiyikoglu
Jared Krauss
Stevo Vasiljevic
Lee Roth
Christian Beier
Daniel Padavona
Samer Momani
Jeffery. A. Baker Sr., CPP
Art Eugenio
Steve Cockram
Jack Jones
Craig Reynolds
Isabel Rodriguez
Bruce Leventhal
Mark Krauss
Cynthia Mead
Joe Stokes
Avihai Levy
Matt Brading
Alexander Ponce
Mark Berkery
Bill Paris
Birgit Rhoads
Jun Reynales
Dennis Rito
Arun Madisetti
Jo Walker
Fernando Cruz
Aaron Feinberg
Leisl Marelli
Shanmuga Sundaram
Paul Nimmo
Wayne Toutaint
June Tan
Bruno Portela
Mandy Milford
Clint Crawford
Inger Vandyke
Scott Bosshardt
Vonikaka Dora
Simon Brown
Dan Ryan
Mike Guevarra
Steve McKenna
Joe Urbz
Karen Willshaw
Josh Mitchell
Linda Matlow
Suzanne Wille
Todd Bannor
Chris Hutcheson
Damon Herota
Roeland de Bruijn
Jo-Ann Brown
Levi T
Christopher Barr
Jane Janssen
Sara Atkins
Derek Schultz
Bonnie Al-Rifai
Mark Jarder
Carin Krasner
Liz Vance
Carolyn Schneider
Ceci Snow
Lady G
Cory Clements
Stephen Cotterell
Edvar S
Tian Chad
Sami Fayed
Mac Dy
Jenny Hardcore
Tim Rock
Andre Seale
Pedro Serra
Kevin Thompson
Harald Slauschek
Jim Dawson
Thomas Wiewandt
Graeme Vaughan
Neil A White
Matti Ovaska
Nick Miners
Ralf von Kaufmann
Bente Haarstad
James Branaman
Jukka Tilli
Hafiz Ismail
Stephen Booth
Jeff Freeman
Christine Clark
Dave Harley
Robert Simmerman
David Spencer
David Mareuil
Kenneth Malcolm
Ian Ivey
Alan Janaszek
Keegan Spera
Mary Romijn
Lorne Thomson
Enzo Dalverme
Jacques Smit
Monte Trumbull
David Taylor
Jay Goodrich
Nigel Harris
Vitalia Daza
Laurence Cremetti
Graeme Cooper
Danny Kash
Gautam Narayanan
Candice Hintz
Pam Murph
Geert Vanden Wijngaert
Robert Ottenburger
Axel Lauer
Francesco De Maio
Solitary Photographic
Martin Diver
Betina Skovbro
Shelley Watson
Mark Wikkerink
Daniel G. McNulty
Rinzing Kelsang
Zbyszek Swirski
Gabor Ruff
Adam Urban</a
Marian Majik
Derzsi Csongor
Hajdú László Photography
Kulcsár Dávid
Darlene Almeda
David Bell
Mario Bere
Erika Weisz
Rodger Shagam
Filmantróp
Alen Lin
Mark Sass
Akos Solymosi
Benjamin Uy
Romeo Balboa
Judith Loniak
Steve Douglas
Dave Brown
Deborah Pietrangelo
Seth Anderson
Russ Campbell
Rudi Keuntje
Thorsten Knottek
Cruiser Photography
Fiona Harper
Alan McBride
Roderick Eime
Steve Monell
Barney Douglas
Phyllis Miller
Marc-André Pauzé
Simon Dewey
Chris Slack
Diane Mackey
Jason Smith
Ottawa Wedding Photographer
Johann Brandstatter
Annie Watson
Betim Beqa
Isabelle Hayeur
James B. Jenkins
Suzi Eszterhas
Buck Shreck
Eric Healey
Roxanne Granzow
Riaan Roux
Carole Edrich
Kim Carmichael Varrie
Annette Naude
Andy Haynes
Craig Jones
Handheld Films (Paul Dyer)
Julie
Peter Redman
Jack Fleming
Robert Kenney
Andrea Hanks
Erwin Beckers
Nannette Ricaforte
Brenna Whitson
John Armstrong-Millar
Birmingham Photographers
Nebojsa Novakovic
Anthony Morgan
Vladimir Levantovsky
Robert Babylon
Ola Gruszczynska aka Ola Maj
Paul Burdick
Yusuf Gunawan
Jason Roberts
John Krutop
Chad DiBlasio
Arek Rainczuk
Mymimp
Ben
Woody
Douglas Fresh
Ken Boddy
Amanda Wilson
Bret Edge
Pauline Yates
Ian Payne
Mary Lou Davison
Liam Reynolds
Jesse Dybka
Paul Blonde
Edward Fury
Scott Ferrede
Lifetime Reflections Photography
Phillip Knoll
Freger Reyes
Liz Arcus
Katherine Dykstra
Steve Scalone
Melissa Sheed
Cathy Crawley
Alvar Herrera Zeppelin
Siddharth Kumar
Loren Carman
Brenda Schouten
Vinayak P Menon
Cam Cope
Christoph Schiffer
Kimberley Metz
Charles Buckley
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Professional Photographers 
I agree !
May I borrow this as a template too? I have spoken to so many photographers that are desperate for attention that they are ready to give their work away in the slim chance that it will elevate them, when in reality it only perpetuates the problem. Great article, thank you.
I Certainly Agree… I have had clients that would actually try to change invoicing to lower the price and make an excuse they wasn’t going to use the images for their marketing material and then later finding that they did use the images. Which puts a bad taste in your opinion of them.
Now I refuse to provide any images without being paid and I collect a deposit prior to doing the work. It only takes one bad apple to to spoil everything.
You have done a great job with this. Please add me to the list.
I totally agree. Equipment is not free, so, why work for free? Services rendered by photographers should be paid for.
This is so true. The time and effort put into my craft, to then be asked for a freebie is beyond ridiculous.
This is fantastic! Please add my name to the list as well.
I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER BUT I AGREE 100% WITH THIS ARTICLE. NO ONE WORKS FOR FREE IN THIS SOCIETY UNLESS YOU’RE MENTALLY CHALLENGED AND DON’T KNOW ANY BETTER. BUSINESSES HAVE MONEY OR THEY WOULDN’T EXIST, SO, LET THEM PAY FOR WHAT THEY GET.
SINCERELY
LENNIE HARTMAN
Actually, many mentally challenged folks in town work very useful and productive jobs and are rewarded with both financial compensation as well as pride and satisfaction of doing a good job and being contributing members of society. It’s generally not a good idea to try and draw parallels between mentally challenged people and the actions taken by otherwise fully-competent folks that you feel are ill-advised – the wiser person in those comparisons is almost always the ‘mentally challenged’ person.
I don’t think the writer was referring to the “mentally challenged” as a group, as your response reflects.
I’m not the writer, but the way I read it was that if you work for free in America, you are not too bright, or the person is dense, stupid, whatever you want to call it. This particular writer called it being “mentally challenged.”
A very reasoned response, and very useful.
I do find it ironic that getting ‘credit’ doesn’t mean much, but you accept creative commons attribution in lieu of payment for use of this template 😉
Nice! I suppose the main difference is that I undertook this with the specific intent of helping others. Plus, there are no photos involved!
Really???? I mean really? You sir, are an instigator. You sir, are why so many do not speak up. No one asked this person to write this article for free. What you suggest is that I cannot ask for monetary compensation unless I NEVER go out of my way – even to speak out for a cause I believe in. I do not know who you are, but if ever I see your name again, I will KNOW to be on guard since you will absolutely pick apart anything I might say or do, and you will do it publicly even if I’m trying to help people who are simply asking for compensation for work they are solicited for. Wow. After reading this, i was grateful. Grateful that, through this article, I might be able to articulate better the need to PAY MY BILLS by working and earning money. But thanks to you, I see why people become callous and grumpy and burnt out. This article is trying to bridge a gap in communication between those who might not understand our position as professionals and those of us who don’t want to be made to feel guilty or self-rightous for NEEDING MONEY OURSELVES! Then you try to undermind it by suggesting that the author is a hypocrite for not demanding compensation for every ounce of his time, personally. Exactly how much should he charge us?????????????? I HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK FOR FREE IF I WANT TO! I HAVE THAT RIGHT! I ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEMAND PAYMENT, AND IT IS NOT UP TO ANYONE ELSE TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON THAT! How much pro bono should we do??? Do you go to a furniture store and say “Can I have that couch for free? I don’t have any money, but I’ll be sure to tell everybody who sees this couch that you made it. I mean, I really need a new couch and I really love yours. You do such nice work. ” I’m so angry that you would choose to bring any negativity whatsoever to something that means sooo much to sooo many. I have children, a house payment, studio space, equipment, NO HEALTH INSURANCE, and I get “please work for free” request EVERY DAY. After a while you start to feel like an asshole and — I’ve done nothing wrong!!!! People turn their noses up and act as though I think I’m too good for them. Why? Because I can’t pay my bills even though I have invested my life into a viable, skilled career to include a college education, years of unpaid training and internships and a ton of stress and strain. Not to mention how much money and time and energy I’ve invested in equipment alone so that I feel comfortable calling myself a professional. “Professional” means I guarantee that I guarantee I can do what I say I do. How dare you pick such a ridiculous point to bring attention to! I’ll bet you’re going to find a spelling error in my statement so that you can argue with me and have the last word. Or maybe you’ll just dismiss my entire post because you didn’t say we should work for free you were just saying……blah blah
My point, sir, is that you had to make a statement to bring negativity….well it did. And you are responsible. Congratulations. How about making another one in response and saying that I’m crazy and taking it too far instead of acknowledging that what you say DOES MATTER-and it accomplished just what you wanted it to. It called attention to the point of the article you found most interesting. I now know what kind of person you are. You have told me what you find interesting. Congrats for what it’s worth. I’ll make sure I give you credit.
Hi Todd,
I’m pretty sure he was joking, with no harm intended
Cheers,
Tony
cool story bro
Todd I would like to exploit you, your bank account, your pride, self-worth and loved ones – please send me a big cheque. thanks
Sorry Todd But your out of order here… People who offer up services for Free Hurt the industry as a whole and make it more difficult for us the working professionals to make money. Unlike you guy’s we do this as a primary way to make a living, we don’t have part time jobs to supplement our income, unlike the average amateur who will work 9-5.
We have Professional Equipment to invest in, also to update softwares and hardwares, Employ people for tax purposes and have Public liability insurance to pay, all the fundamentals that you guy’s don’t have to ….
Excellent, where/how do I sign up?!
Please use the contact form on this site. Thanks
Well Said!! Thank You!
I too am not a photographer but this does go hand-in-hand with most creative fields. Things like programming, webdesign, pixel art, and so on definately fall under the same general rules listed above. Time and effort were put into all of these works and giving it for free just isn’t a practical way to continue creating things as a profession.
As a professional dancer i can tell you that in our field we face this a lot as well. I think artists in general are devalued as skilled professionals in our society. It’s sad.
It’s called exploitation and it’s as old as greed.
Bravo. As a graphic designer I can say that we are often in the same boat with our creative cohorts behind the lens in matters such as these. The above applies as much to design spec work as it does to photography. I may direct the occasional client to this post with the instructions to substitute “designer” for “photographer” while reading. Good stuff!
I’m sure you run into similar issues. By all means, please feel free to adapt and use the text as appropriate. Hope this helps!
Be it design work, photographs, software, music, movies, ebooks, or any such digital output, it seems that the ease of copying the bits translates subconsciously in people’s minds to ignoring the enormous amount of work that goes into the creation process. Because it is so easy, cheap and quick to make one additional copy, the subconscious tells us it is not wrong to copy. Perhaps there is an understanding of the effort involved in making the original work, so is it that the extra copy costs almost nothing to make that leads to the request for it to be free-of-charge.
well said.
Well said. I fully agree. Thank you for writing it.
I want to be a signatory.
Note: I received this link from Mike to his site. Worth clicking through for more reading on this topic.
http://naturography.com/when-publishers-request-freebies/
100% agree, although I am only a photographer by hobby and not a pro, It really annoyed me that certain people (steal) photos, for their own use. Its the guy who takes the time to produce these images that should be rewarded for their efforts.
I am not a professional photographer, but as a professional musician I often get treated similarly. May I borrow the format and prepare a similar text for Singers/Musicians and distribute amongst colleagues in hopes to start a movement of sorts?
Of course! Please do. I’m sure many people in creative professions face similar issues.
100% agree, although I am photographer by hobby and not a pro, It really annoyed me that certain people (steal) photos, for their own use
Hi Tony, I’m a professional photog and national president of American Photographic Artists (APA). Thank you for sharing this and making it accessible to others! One area you don’t mention that is imperative to our livelihood is how a professional Photographers business is built on the licensing model. We license our images for periods of time. Without that we would not be in business. Also, at least on my iPhone it’s a bit long. Keep in mind the buyers who we want to read this are extremely short on time. Hope my feedback helps and thanks again! Cheers, Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for taking time to provide feedback! You’re right on both accounts. I had to cut quite a bit out during the editing process, until I got down to the current form, which I thought struck a balance between length and content. There’s certainly a lot more that could, and perhaps should, be said, but as you rightly point out, buyers are often short on time. I had shorter drafts as well, but then I felt like I was leaving too much out. My compromise was to post the text under a CC license, so that everyone could feel free to copy, paste and amend as appropriate.
At the end of the day, I’ll be very happy if as many photographers and creative people as possible use this as a template to send back polite, constructive responses that convey our position clearly. And hopefully, there were be some positive outcomes as a result.
Cheers,
Tony
This is a conversation that I have with people who are photographers and non-photographers ALL the time. It is a bit insulting to be asked to work for free or little to nothing.
I totally agree. Whenever anyone asks me to take photos at their event for free all I hear is “You seem worthless and I think your profession is a joke, because I see people use point-and-shoot cameras all the time.” insulting indeed!
Tony,
This is great. While more and more of us have seen our earnings diminish in the photography field (particulary in stock photography), I get asked all the time for freebies. This clearly explains in simple language that although we may support some causes without remuneration, that is our choice and not to be expected. Well done. Please sign me up.
Marli Wakeling
100% agree
Dead on Tony. I get touched quite often by charities big and small and I selectively support a few. What galls me more are businesses that ask for elaborate work or time consuming projects of great detail only to balk at the cost! I’ll definitely use this piece to help in my ongoing education efforts! Well done.
Excellent, thank you,
i totally agree!
Wonderful, wonderful thanks for putting this into words!
Word!!!
Great text Tony! This text is a great tool. I agree with previous post above: since we are n the subject, it might be helpful to add a bit on wonership, copyright and licensing. Perhaps there could be a separate text on that subject, and other “FAQ” we as photographers are faced with explaining: a “photograhers standard answers to FAQ toolkit”.
good points…now we have Fashion Week asking me to pay them to take pics when they are (or should be ) aware of the quality, expertise, and insight in the work…high class indeed…not amusing…
I am not stupid – I will never work for nothing !
Great text!
You have eloquently captured the thoughts of all of us professional shooters. Well said!
Thanks for your efforts, Tony. As a designer and builder of custom underwater housings for cameras and other scientific instruments, I also receive the same requests. Thanks for providing a well-reasoned and articulated response.
Ken Sexton
ken610@gmail.com
http://www.thesextonco.com
thank you for this well written response to the question I must answer on average at least once per week …
Bravo! Well said. I am always astounded that anyone would have the audacity to ask someone to work for free in this country and in this day and age. Negotiate – sure, but not to $0.00! Thank you.
Well said.
Please add my name, John Tucker, to the list. I have requests weekly for free images. People don’t realize that I can’t feed my family on a photo credit!
Totally agree
Hi!I’m a young professional freelance photographer.My name is Patrizia. Can I translate this interesting post in Italian? Of course, I will put the direct link to this website.
Thank you,
Patrizia
Hi Patrizia,
Of course, please go ahead. And if you translate it and send me a copy, I’ll create another page with the Italian version so other people in Italy can benefit too!
Cheers,
Tony
One area that you did not touch on is the numerous requests to donate art/photos etc. for auctions to benefits museums and or causes. I never see that solicitation going out to lawyers, doctors OR plumbers to donate their time/expertise. But somehow they expect that artists to “give willingly!”
Sue, what you say is not true. Lawyers do pro bono work. Doctors often join NGO’s in providing services for free. Even plumbers do sometimes carry out jobs for… well pay in kind is enough I guess. haha but yea, the plumber aside, alot of professionals do donate their expertise for free for the benefit of their interest (society, etc.) As Tony already said, you may still choose to do pro bono work, but it must be on your own terms and not “to be expected of.”
Thank you for saying this – and in such a clear, reasonable, diplomatic way. All the best!
Amen! A well structured and thought out letter, hitting home on many aspects of the photographers livelihood. Can especially relate to the “We Have No Money” paragraph.
Well-written, and very much needed. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
I haven’t been in photography very long comparatively-speaking, but have been doing graphic design and photo restoration since 1997 – in addition to free requests, something I have run into many times, is giving a quote, and having them try to haggle the price, negotiate or flat out tell me THEY think it’s too much. I want to ask these people if they go to their grocery store to buy a rotisserie chicken that’s marked $4.99, and tell the cashier, “I see it says here $4.99, but I only want to pay $2.50.”? Uuuummmm, no. Go git your chicken elsewhere, lady. A product is a product.
Sorry for the rant. Thanks again!
Please add me to the list! And thank you for your efforts Tony.
Well written, please add my signatory.
Please add me to the list if signatories. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for taking the time to write out what all of us would like to have the time to do. Very well written! Please add me as a signatory. http://www.jenniferlangille.com
Thank you Tony! Now all I have to do is copy and paste this link in an email to these customers, this will speed up my email workflow ten-fold!
Sign me up!
Paul Briscoe
http://www.briscoephotography.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/briscoephotography
I had to quit being a professional photographer because of situations like these.
Especially in my country Uganda, the copyright law is non existent to the extent that somebody can download a photo from a blog and use it for their website or publication. Publishers feel like they are doing a favor to credit your picture. Its a total jungle here.
Same problem in France ! It is a globalisation.
Like it a lot
Thank you. As a creative, I am often asked to do work for free, or promise of payment once the client starts making money. I do a serious amount of pro bono work, but I also have bills to pay. I will be linking to this on my journal.
It is often the case that picture editors or those granting accreditation to a sports event will expect images for free this is due to many reasons but it part because there is always someone who is; maybe just starting out who wants something in print, or is promised work in the future, or just takes photos on the weekend, either way by offering images for free they are making life harder for everyone in the business.
Thank you so much! I’ll gladly add my name to this document.
i agree. John Robinson
It’s the assumption that because it’s digital and that there are no development costs, that somehow its free. My Education wasn’t free, my equipment wasn’t free, my time isn’t free and my rent isn’t free.
Beautifully written.
Great letter!! It hits the nail right on the head.
Great article. I would like to add my name to this list.
Thank-you Tony for a very eloquently written piece! I’ll gladly add my signature.
Wonderfully put! Thank you!
I agree totally, I must get three or four requests weekly and it drives me nuts. I have received several requests from journalists and when I have asked them if they are working for free they have been suprised at my attitude. I di’nt study for 9 years and spend thousands on equipment to work for free. Photography students should take the above points on board. They are undermining their future as photographers everytime they provide images for a credit in a publication. I hope the prospect of working for free excites them.
Babs
Thanks for this letter. Nice to know other photographers feel the same way.
In addition to the ‘Please Follow Up’ section, I have found that the only time I have had images misused (maybe I’m lucky in this), have been with clients using donated images. We photographers should bare in mind that if we are approached by parties that have “no budget” for photos, it’s often a red flag that their project has little value in art and design. So, I try and do the best I can to sift through requests from parties that truly have no budget from those that don’t value photography. Today, this is generally restricted to parties and organizations that I personally know or have worked with. And overall, I donate MUCH less than I used to because of all the misuse by ungrateful clients.
Thank you for putting this in terms everyone can understand!!
A true assessment of the dire situation that daily occurs…..well done for writing this so diplomatically.
Thank you.
Excellent article. I totally concur!
Excellent! Perfectly succinct- I’ve heard most of these already in my short career. Please add my name to the list. Thanks!
Touche’ ::
I recently did a shoot for a client who I happily licensed to use my work on the web. At that particular event 5 other people asked if they could use my photographs, one of which were a newspaper, another a magazine, another was the event organiser and two were bloggers. Because it was a non exclusive license I emailed the 5 the next day to say that it would be possible for them to use images on payment of the appropriate fees. This was met with resounding silence except for the event organisers who thought they shouldn’t have to pay as they held the event. They have since linked through FaceBook to the original client’s website. This is something that is happening with increasing frequency and there is nothing I can do about it. However eloquent the arguments for paying photographers are, the sand of righteousness is still going to slip from under our feet in various devious ways untill we are flat on our faces with a begging bowl.
Agree 100%. It’s getting harder and harder to make a living as a Professional Photographer.
Please add my name & link as a signature. Thanks for putting this together!
Perfect. It says everything that needs (and needed) to be said. Please add my name to the list.
KUDOS!!!
Thank you so much for this article!
Couldn’t have said it better!! Please add me to singatory.
Excellent article – the request for free images is endless.
Ron Niebrugge
Well said & elegantly put – add my name to the list!
Well said…
I am not a professional photographer but I support this notice. I’m fortunate to be part of a company with an outstanding product that’s not so easy to come by. It’s not unusual for photographers to offer their services free of charge or product exchange for their service. On nearly every occasion we’ve declined, insisting we pay for their services.
It costs us a lot of money, time and decades of experience to come to the great product we offer. Redundant though because time and experience are also monetarily valuable. The same goes for a skilled professional photographer.
I appreciate you giving us the opportunity here to share our thoughts on the matter and show support for your photography business.
Indeed !
Very polite and diplomatic answer to a difficult situation for many professional photographers. This applies to not only for “freebies” but also to ‘friends and family’ who feel entitled to substantial discount on their photography packages. Well said! Please add me to the list.
I agree
Nice article, brad!
A long career and I have heard most all the reasons I believe.Please add my name to the list. Thanks JW
Because T-Mobile and VISA don’t accept photo credits. -SIGNED-
Totally agree!!
In full support.
Marco Magallona
http://www.Shuteru.com
Thanks for the efforts.
Thank you for this, even though we may be shouting into a strong wind here. I’ll gladly sign on to this – Daniel Colegrove Photography http://www.dcolegrovephotography.com
Absolutely perfect article.. bookmarked immediately, please add me to the list. Another problem I regularly face is companies distributing my images to interested 3rd parties for their own use without my authorisation when the license clearly mentions otherwise.
Absolutely perfect words!
We should also remember that this practice ( asking for free photos ) is global.
Absolutely perfect words!
We should also remember that this practice ( asking for free photos ) is global.
This is fantastic. Thank you for putting this down on paper – In a much more eloquent way than I have been able to.
Love the article and couldn’t agree more! Sign my in.
Well said, thanks for sharing. Now we need a similar answer to send to people who actually stole our images and use them online without payment.
Cheers, Harry
well said! Ive paste the links to my fb acc. Hope people in my country which is malaysia will change their mind when reading this. Creative people in our country normally get treated this way! Thanks!
100% on, thank you for writing this! If one more person tells me it’s for credit or that they have no budget but are a multi million dollar brand, I will pull my hair out. I’m most concerned that the people asking for free work are indeed being paid, beyond twisted.
Very true & very well written. Some good points raised by my co-respondents, too. My husband is a wedding/portrait/event photographer and has been asked why some clients get charged a different rate to others – they just don’t seem to get the fact that spending four hours at a sporting event with the prospect of many sales to many people is very different to spending four hours trying to get their three uncooperative brats to all sit still and smile at the same time, to produce a family portrait they will be happy with but only they will be interested in buying.
Well written, Nice work!
Bravo! Can you add an image to the article so I can “pin” it on pinterest? (I hope this request doesn’t fall into the category of asking for free stuff.)
Actually, pinterest is a huge copyright infringement issue. They copy your image and host it on their servers and expect you to do nothing. Expect pinterest to get law slapped eventually.
Agree completely! I’m a digital artist trying to go professional, and about 99% of the requests I get ask for it to be free. “But it’ll get your name out there, and it’s just a hobby anyway, right?” *headdesk* People think that just because something is a “hobby” to someone right now, that it’s a) Not something they plan to do professionally one day or b) Not difficult as they “clearly enjoy doing it”.
I Agree too, with cell phone pics being bought by generic medias the trend is going down even faster.
Thank you, thank you thank you!
Add me too please,
Thanks for the article.
Thank you for providing this essential tool for all of us to use. I suspect it took a significant amount of your time to write. It is insightful, respectful, and comprehensive.
Very, well said!
very well written….good job.
Couldn’t agree more! Please add my name to the list! 🙂
Visiting this page again after first reading it this morning, I think I would be more apt to send a client to it directly if it didn’t have the comments section.
Hi Chris,
It would be nice if the page were cleaner, but it’s what it is now. I can’t really delete the comments. Maybe copy and paste the text, with a link if you want to keep your reply free of the comments section?
Cheers,
Tony
That was the plan… thanks for your work in putting it together.
Thjs is some great stuff! How do we get EVERYBODY on the planet to read this!?!
Great job!!!!
I can relate to it. It’s about time people realize that we also need money to survive.
Totally agree and have my full support!!! Kindly Sign me in tnx
Thanks tony for a lovely article which indeed addresses the current major issues in creative field. I am a professional photog from India and here problems are worse than anyone can imagine. but these are some well made points. Thanks once again 🙂
Regarding the exposure argument – if you were really in need of this additional exposure – how come they found you in the first place.
Local and regional press are bad for this – if they can pay agencies they can support their local freelancers………………..I just sent out my terms and pricing structure to one – AGAIN !
Brilliant, totally agree. Would you please sin me too. Many thanks
Glad you posted this because I need to send a lot of people here to read it.
Absolutely. A beautifully eloquent statement…
Agreed!
Please add me to the list!!
I totally agreed and felt it…
Absolutely 100% agree! I put a lot of hard work on it always…
100% true.
Agree 100% well put, please add me to list.
Totally agree 150%!
Totally agree 150%!
yep
Beautifully said. Please add me to the list.
Perfectly said!
If you haven’t seen this video – “The Vendor Client Relationship” by Scofield Editorial – you’ll all enjoy this. is a story that connected with more than half a million viewers in less than 14 days. When a story goes viral, it is finding a truth, touching a nerve or making people laugh. It’s one of my favorite examples of how ridiculous it is that every other profession expects payment so why should we be treated any differently? http://www.vendorclientvideo.com
Yes, enough is enough, time to get some respect for our skills and craftmanship!! Will definitely share……
I completely agree with this as I have been asked numerous times to provide services for FREE. And when I refuse they just move onto the next photographer. Even some magazines want to barter for ads. Why do they think that we don’t have bills to pay like the rest of the world. Bet these folks don’t work for free!
Thank you so much for this well-written piece. In this world where individuals try to utilize every second of their time (via phone, computer, ANYTHING), it is interesting that the time and talent of the artist of any form is no longer valued.
Please add me to the signatory list.
Randell John
This is great!!! I am going to use it!
cant agree more.true n indeed its true.
I’m a professional photographer and agree to it 100%. In fact I have had a couple of experiences like this when someone asked me for some free work and since it was for a charity cause (that’s what I was told, I’m not sure if they made profit and kept it themselves or really used it for charity) I agreed to provide some of my work for the noble cause. At a later date when I did inquire about how the show went no one really bothered to give me a proper reply. The person who contacted me for the images was ‘un-contactable’ for some strange reasons. I didn’t bother their ‘happy lives’ but after reading this article it opened my eyes. It was one and half years ago so its past now but I’ve learnt my lesson. I would like to be a signatory to this article.
Great post and well explained Tony.
Heard every one of these excuses, been promised the moon only to never see it and more……….
I may copy your text as a general reply if that is OK as yours is much more polite than my responses have been over the years 🙂
David Haas
http://www.haasimages.com
Well said.
Please add me to the list.
Roberto Soncin Gerometta
At last, well said, we all think we’re the only ones
Excellent article.
Excellent!
Wonderfully put, much more polite than ‘f-u.’ Requests for work for free are a constant. As you so clearly point out, ‘non-profits’ are
often the worst offenders. Everyone else is paid, so why should the professional photgraphy be expected for free when it will be used to
promote the ‘non profit’ to assist in the raisng of funds? Newspapers/magazines are no better with the ‘Can you send it ‘On Spec’ request.
I was recently asked by a German childrens’ magazine publisher if I could put a ‘Selection of images available for free.’ A simple Google
search revealed the size and cash available to the publisher. The editor tried it on and was clearly embarrased when I called her out. Too
many amateurs posing as professionals looking for their 15 minutes of ‘fame’ are killing this business. Too many PR companies shifting
our work sideways for corporate advertisements, clearly breaching the original photo coverage contract. Too many newspapers/magazines
attempting to claim copyright of images supplied on assignment for them to syndicate through their own ‘stock agency’ regardless of our
own agency affiliations with a ‘take it or leave it or get blacklisted’ agenda. We spend hours sitting at our desks trying to keep up with it all
when we should be out shooting images. What a mess. Where did morality disappear to? Please add my name to your list. Thank you.
I totally agree, and with the Facebook instant gratification, it makes it even worse. I have been told my prices are to high. My prices are what the market shows. Every area of the Nation has a different pricing structure. If i didn’t charge for it, I couldn’t afford to do the profession I do. Same with them If their employer didn’t charge their customer for their product/work. That employer wouldn’t be able to pay the employee. Same thing.
Please add me to the signature.
thanks great work.
Please Add me to the Signatory List – this letter is a beautiful thing!
Glenn R. Brule
http://www.thewayiceeit.com
Amen!
many thanks for sharing such an eloquent response!
Totally agree.
No one works for free.
Nildo Scoop
Brilliant, perfectly stated and very very usable. Thank you for this public servic to photographers !
Thank you so much!
great read
would love to sign !
I totally agree – how do people think the bills get paid – we dont get free rent, free food, free equipment, free training, free travel costs, free petrol etc.. etc.. how do they think we are supposed to pay for all this? with fresh air and photo credit? And like everyone says other people are paid to work and pay for things they want and need, why not photography? There’s a limit to how much free stuff and time you can give.
Tracey Dunn
Please add me to the Signatory List
Ram Mohandas Rao
100% true and accurate, people who aren’t photographers don’t realize that it’s so much more than showing up, snapping a few pictures, saying a few words to people and leaving. They don’t see the behind the scenes work that goes into the before, prepping your equipment, checking out locations, making sure forms and paperwork are in order and the after, hours of editing, organizing and creating to get everything just right. Not to mention being on your feet for hours, not eating at the recption because you are taking pictures, listening to everyone else tell you how to do your job etc…I’m a freelancer, I do photography on the side, I have a regular full time job but it still chaps my hide when I hear people talk down about photographers and how “hard to get along with” they can be or how easy their job is. It’s not, we do it because of a passion we have to create and share, not becasue(at least not in most cases)of the money. We work hard to earn our payment and we deserve it 110%!
Bravo!
The same situation happens in Brasil.
I am not a professional, but someone deeply in love with photography.
Damn fine response – please add my name…
Relatedly, here’s writer Harlan Ellison’s response to donating work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE
Perfect! Thanks for the link
Well said, sir. Please add me to the list of endorsing photographers.
Louis Allen (roving i Sydney)
Sydney, Australia.
I’m with you guys
Being a photographer for the last 36 years made me be upset so many times with this kind of requests.
Thanks for sharing this
A
I would like to be a signatory on this document please. And thank you for taking the time to write such an eloquent and thorough statement.
Tom Sparks
It is essential to inform all clients and potential clients of the above points. It’s even more important for photographers NEVER to give work away (other than to bona fide charities). It is also essential for our professional bodies and unions to promote our professional requirements and for us to support them.
Fantastic, perfectly said with style, without sarcasm or being patronising. I would like to use this if i may (with link)
Regards
Matt – Please go ahead. Amend the text and use as you like – that is what is there for. If possible, please link back to this page. Matt
Totally agree with all points… Please add my name to the list of signatories.
Thank you for organising this.
Roger H. Harman
Well and concise. Thanks Tony.
May I be added to this list to ?
LOVE THIS!
-Emily Crenca Photography
Nice job Tony. Thanks for putting down in words what is sometimes so hard to articulate, especially when I am frustrated with this sort of scenario from time to time.
Troy Braun/PhotoAgent
Thanks so much for the comprehensive and excellently written letter. It makes it a lot easier to answer requests for low- or no-paying jobs. I won’t change a word of it!
I want to be added to Signatories list pls !
Thanks for the eloquent response please add me to the list.
Please add my name to the list. I agree wholeheartedly! http://www.wendymayophotographer.com
Well done.
Please add my name as a signatory to this. Youssef Ismail, http://www.organiclightphoto.com
Thank you for this. It helps me put things into perspective. I struggle with this constantly.
i totally strongly agree.
Thank you.
I would very much like to be on this list.
Martin Tosterud. http://www.martintosterud.com/
Hi Tony,
Thanks for sharing this. It’s simply BRILLIANT and helps in responding to unreasonable requests in a calm way (instead of reacting and typing out anger). Do you think I can adapt this and re-phrase it for designers in general?
Cheers,
Jason
Hi Jason,
Sure thing, please go ahead and do so. I’m sure designers face similar issues.
Cheers,
Tony
Well said, I agree with all points… Please add my name to the list of signatories.
Thank for putting this together .
Nico Zwaneveld (www.nicozwaneveld.nl)
I agree with all of you, on all points…
Please add my name as a signatory, Mehmet İMER , http://www.mehmetimer.com
You hit the nail in the head, Tony. Thanks a lot.
Very comprehensive and on point. Excellent points.
I strongly agree with all that’d been said… Can add my name also please….!
This is fantastic, just hope everybody will able to read and see all importance of Photography industry and work we do!…
Thanks a lot……
Regards Tatiana Walker (www.prime-photography.co.uk)
Excellent, many thanks for sharing! Please add me to the signatory list as well.
All the best!
James
Its Awesome using it – Nitin Gupta.
Comment: Very good answer to a frequently asked question, well done.
I have addressed the misconception that “digital = free” here:
Please feel free to spread the info,
Stephen
I fully support this. Please add my name to the list!
Thank you!
I would like my name to be included in the signatures.
Nicely put – please add my name to the list
What is even worse is some of these photo contests or gallery shows that require an entrance fee (I’ve even seen it in widely respected magazines like National Geographic, etc.). There is a very successful annual photo/gallery show one in my city (it has been going on for 6 years or so) where each photo you submit is $25 or $50 and the curator/producer receives thousands of submissions from all over the world. The work is stunning, but why should we, as artists, be funding his show? He has nothing to lose when all of his costs are covered. Imagine pulling that off in another industry – can you imagine Home Depot charging their vendors to stock tools in their store and then they might never sell them and the vendor is out the money! I will NEVER pay an entrance fee to be in a show! Shame on these organizers for not being proper business people and getting the funding elsewhere.
It should be mandatory that what Tony has posted here is taught in all photo classes worldwide; better yet, it should come with every camera manual and be posted in every retail camera store (as well as the online ones)! It is the younger wannabe photographers who usually ruin it for the rest of the bunch and spoil the clients to think that everyone will give it away – they do this not necessarily by choice, but just out of ignorance and lack of education. This has killed our profession for sure, I’ve more or less gotten out of the business for this reason, sadly.
I’ll proudly add my name to the list. Thanks for standing up and speaking out for us, Tony!
Would you please add my name to your list of photographers:
Syv Ritch http://www.foto-biz.com
Thank you
Thanks. I’ve been looking for something like this for months now. FINALLY I got it. Thanks again.
Bob Julius
Dittos!
Thanks for providing this method to communicate the value of creative works.
Please add me to your signatory list.
Larry
Yes…
Nailed It!!
Everywhere in this world it is the same – thanks. I try to translate it in german.
Please add my name to the list !
Paul Burdick
http://pburdick.smugmug.com
Seconded.
I cannot agree more with this piece. Please consider me a signatory.
Pat Brownewell
Brownewell Photography
http://www.BrownewellPhotography.com
http://www.360ProductPhotographer.com
Sign?
Free and business do not go together. This virus has spread throughout the creative industry. If you have the interest, I blogged about this last year.
The Non Cents of Free http://www.jamievesay.com/Vesay/Blog/Entries/2010/8/3_The_Non_Cents_of_Free.html
Thanks of your words. May they stick to clients.
Perfect…Nicely stated. Could not have come across this post at a better time.
So totally true for all creative professionals. In addition to my photography I am a woodworker trying to make my hobby pay. Many times I have been asked to donate one of my hand-crafted wooden items to give as a gift to international visitors. Sorry, but I’ve spent thousands on my woodworking machinery, hundreds for the fittings for my pens, keyrings and other items, even more hundreds for the specialty native timbers I always use, and everything I make takes time and technique. Don’t insult me by asking me to donate the results!
No doubt they also asked the airline that flew the international visitor over for a “free ticket” and the restaurant where they fed them for a “free” meal and the grocery store for some “free” food. Maybe this is all a holdover from the days of patrons for the arts that subsized art…but we don’t have one, unfortunately. I don’t understand the attitude towards wanting/expecting artists to donate.
It would be great if people actually read it.
You make some excellent points. I’ve never been too fussed about being paid though. I love doing work for free especially if it’s helping someone out or for something I support. I think people care too much about money these days. Especially people that get so obsessed with the idea of someone else “stealing” their photos that you can barely see their work underneath the mountain of copyright symbols. I think the day I start caring about the money first and photos second is the day I stop being an artist. I’ll be poor a lot, but I plan do die a happy either way.
The day you start caring about photos second? Being remunerated for your images shows that there is real value to the pictures that you produce and choose to communicate with. It’s highly arrogant, naive, and childish to presume that professionals who make a living with their skill and commitment to their art are in some way ‘selling out’. Nobody has suggested that there is a hierarchy where money comes before good photography anyway.
The naive ‘money doesn’t matter’ tone of your comment suggests to me that you have never gone hungry or had to worry about a roof over your head, in which case, lucky you. There are many who would love to be able to spend all their time caring about their art but are faced with the harsh reality of having to care about money or starve on the streets. When you face that situation, you’ll start worrying about people stealing your work, too.
Well done Tony – love it! I used to refer to that hilarious YouTube vid (that’s linked to in your other post) but now I can just point people here! Awesome!
Happy for you to add me as signatory if the list isn’t too long already?
Chris
I wish I could have seen something like this last year. I’m a graphic designer and my husband is a web designer, and we have lost a couple of clients over the fact that they didn’t think they got what they paid for (despite the fact that we were practically cutting our throats with the prices we charged them). One of them became so adamant about it, that he came to our house (while we had friends there) and started acting rudely, saying that we “did him and [one of our other clients] wrong”. My husband explained to him that we gave him 6 months extra of web hosting, at no charge, AND did photography for his site (going to his establishment every Friday to take pictures during his business hours) without extra charge. And we let him know that his friend (another client) ignored mine and my husband’s numerous emails to him that we sent 3, 2, and 1 month, down to 2 weeks in advance; letting him know that his hosting was coming due shortly, and if he wanted to continue to use our services, that he would need to pay and renew his contract with us. I believe my husband also tried calling him about it. But he never responded to either of us. Well, both client’s hosting was past due, so we took down their sites. And WE were the one’s who got chewed out about it by one of the said clients. Needless to say, we changed our business habits very quickly, and vowed to never put ourselves through anything like that again. It’s crazy that anyone would actually try to pull something like that. Especially considering that most graphic/web designers and/or design firms would have charged them twice, if not triple, the amount we did. We have definitely learned our lesson in dealing with customers/clients.
I have recently started a photography business, which is off to a slow start, and I will definitely keep this page on hand. Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
Joy – Thanks for you info. I wonder if you had created a very detailed agreement / contract spelling out exactly what you were providing. It is one way to manage client expectations.
That’s a great suggestion Joe.
In my case, it’s usually photo sales, so there’s not much of a need for a detailed contract. In the instances where I have assignments, I do put everything in writing if the other side doesn’t.
No good deed goes unpunished. When I was a young photographer, working for reduced rates and narrow margins went hand-in-hand with unhappy, demanding clients.
Clear, succint and sadly true.
Please add my name.
Thanks
Sally
Great article! Please add my name into the list..
Thanks!
Marwan Mahmud
Excellent reminder to the professional and wake-up call to potential clients! Thanks!
Thanks for writing this Tony, you’ve saved us all a lot of work.
Excellent article beautifully reasoned. As a photographer of 63 I have come across this problem on a regular basis but it is now much more brazen and frequent than in the past. I shall be borrowing this article and would like you to add my name to the list.
Best wishes
Martyn f. Chillmaid
Very well said. I do, from time to time CHOOSE to donate my time/images to causes that are near and dear to me, and will continue to do so. I take no offence in being asked, as those askers should take no offence when I turn them down – but more often than not, they do. Thank you for having the courage to say what most of us couldn’t or wouldn’t!
I have tried to gradually educate some of my ‘fans’ on FB as well as others about this issue in the hopes they will keep this in mind as they ask me or other artists about ‘giving’ away our work or copying things off the web. I try to get them to think in terms of their own work and needing to be valued. Drawing parallels between them having to provide all their own computer and work tools, being asked to work a full day, then being asked by the people driving the nicer cars to please donate their days work AND (in the case of copy/pasting someone elses image without any credit etc…) being asked to do it for no credit whatsoever – not even a thank you.
Please add my name: MJ Cadle
Very well written Tony!!!
Well said – I can only echo similar sentiments.
Please add my name.
Charities, pay themselves salaries, but expect images for nothing. The corprates pay themselves often unwarranted and undersevered salaries, and often expect others to work for nothing.
This arrogance will have to change and is changing. Throughout the world.
The irony of this post is that you’re using WordPress. A software package developed for free and distributed for free. If you’re all about just compensation why are you using open source free software & templates?
I’ve distributed this text for free. The translators have provided translation for free. Many, if not most, of the photographers who’ve put their names to this have donated images and work, at times and circumstances of their own choosing, to parties of their own choosing.
No one is “all about just compensation”.
You’ve either misunderstood the whole point, or you have chosen not to understand.
Wfinley, I am a professional photographer and I host all my work on a WordPress.com blog that has since Nov 2006 received 1.06 million page views. I chose WordPress.com not only because it’s free but because it’s not going to expire and wipe out all traces of my hard work leaving search engines with countless bad links after I die. I chose WordPress to leave a legacy of my work for my children to discover when they grow up. For this reason, self-hosting is a sure way to kill any chance of that when you no longer keep up with hosting fee payments.
For the same reason, Tony’s message is here to stay for current and future generations to discover for as long as WordPress.com continues to exist.
WordPress has a business model as well though: to buy access to the Akismet anti-spam plugin and other features for large sites when hosting one’s own instance of WordPress has a cost, and organizations like my employer feel that it is good value to spend money for WordPress. Yes, the WordPress platform was developed “freely” (there are different meanings of the word “free” that are at play here), but there are people around the world who make a living working on WordPress.
Thank you for bringing to life this excellent idea.
I would like to be on the list.
Paul
Count me in!
Cheers
Frank Yuwono
http://frank.yuwono.com.au
Perfectly said – for anyone to understand. Please add my name to the list.
Cheers Barb
Well written and 100% spot on! Add me to the signatories list!
Ray A. Akey
Very well stated. Thank you, Tony. Please add my signature to this document.
Regards,
Dan Beauvais
http://DanBeauvais.com
Thank you for taking the time to compose such a well written and thoughtful response!
Jason Ryman
http://www.jasonryman.com
Well said. Appreciate the effort and back links are better than credits!
Sums up many of my feelings. Thank you for posting this.
Thanks!
My experience: Some people asks not only for free pictures but for free work! I did that twice in the early years when I started my photo business in 2004. The promise was that there would be regular paid jobs in the future… What happened: They used the pictures and I never heard of them again because for the next job they find another fool working for free. My advice to all new photographers/artists/designers… don´t expect anything they don´t care for you or your talent they just want it the cheapest way!
Respectable clients may ask for a special price if they hired you on a regular basis (which is absolutely OK). But enquiries for free work/service/photos either come from people who got no idea about prices, license fees, production costs… (often they let the apprentice call you) or from the “very smart ones” trying to find a beginner or desperate “pro”.
Great piece….! Excellent
Perfect!
Mike White
Commercial Photographer in Chicago
http://www.mikewhitephotography.com
p.s. I’m posting and linking to this from my site.
Signatory please. Thank you.
Tony – Thanks for your posting. Good way to educate a prospect. Someday, I might use it as a starting point for a shorter version.
Free will always be a way for prospectives to approach getting work done. However, I think that creatives need to consider their target market & branding, if free is constantly being requested. – Joe
Please add my name to the list: Andreas J. Focke
I am all for this
Matthew Ashton – AMA SPORTS PHOTO AGENCY
Fantastic!
Finally a decent article to put people in their place.. they all seem to think free photos are OK! Im a semi-pro photographer and i simply try to make some money from my photos mainly to pay for all the expensive equipment and im struggling. I have to work full-time in another job. If it weren´t for the passion i have for photography i would have left ages ago.
Thanks ever so much for this!
Regards from Tenerife, Canary islands, Spain
Please add my name to the list: John Slemp
Thanks!
John
Well said. I to would love to work for free, but we have to make a living. I’m always willing to work within a budget if the client is reasonable.
We’ve all been saying it for years (in my case, for more than 25). It’s nice to see it here so succinctly in writing. Thanks!
Please add me to the signature list.
I am frequently asked for TF, TFP, and/or TFCD. It’s time I address my needs to pay my bills. Photography is not an inexpensive business to get into. I have thousands of $$$$$ invested in my equipment and education. Just because the current technology is digital, doesn’t mean we don’t have costs associated with it.
Thank you so much.
Karen Carnahan
Thank you. I am happy to give sometimes to a charity of my choice and be paid sometimes….all at my discretion. If I give a shoot for a charity auction to a breast cancer group to honor a family member fighting the big fight I will. This doesn’t mean that every non-profit gets me for free. My images. My rules. My heartstrings.
Tony,
Well Written!
Could you please add me to the list.
Thanks.
Cary Dean
http://www.carydeanphoto.com
This is a well written rebuttal to a problem that only gets worse with time. Buyers think the cameras do all the work anyway so why should you be compensated for your time?! When my landlord takes a credit in return for my rent then I’ll start accepting them for photographs. Until then it’s cash only! Please add my name to the list.
thanks,
Jim McNally
http://www.commercialfactory.com
Hear, hear!
Add me to the list.
As a freelance photographer, I would be very grateful if you could add me to your list of photographers.
Thank you
Mike Gunnill
Sir,
I principally agree with all the points on your list, it confirms the widening gap between client and photographer is a worrying issue for many new and established commercial photographers in the UK. Having a studio hire service open to all commercial photographers and understanding just how difficult it often is to make an honest buck from their chosen trade, is one that needs to be revolutionised globally.
It is a general rant that I hear weekly and one I do not envy anyone. Alas, as the success of my business is in line with the equal success of the photographers in my country, I have to fully support this list of reasons. I would ask your permission to re-blog the article to hit the 4000+ people who read my blog each month.
please add my name to the list above.
Regards.
Papa
Superb!
Concur!
please add my name to your list. Michael Raffin of http://www.miaphoto.com
I am a freelance photographer with more than ten years of dealing with people who use this approach. I have over the years become quite proficient in sign language. This article is well written and succinctly expresses how many of us feel about this. “Stop Freebee’s”. Thank yo to the author and please add me to your list.
Well said !
I do a lot of work for charities…and they often wonder why I ask for compensation…even at a discounted rate. For every hour I spend photographing an event I usually spend at least 2 hours editing the photographs and optimizing them in photoshop and then uploading them to an on line site. An 8 to 10 hour event can take a whole week to finish. How often are other professionals asked to do a week’s worth of work ” Pro Bono “
Well I am so glad to have been directed to this blog and its contents. A well written article and it states exactly what we as photographers experience on a daily basis. Thank you Tony Wu!!
I shall be sharing this link.
GREAT JOB!!! Perfectly explained!
Please add my name to the list!
Tony
Thank you for posting this.
Please add me to the list 🙂 very well said, Laura
I had not thought about things in this way. I am not a pro and have no plans to quirky day job, but I will be much more selective in what I agree to donate. I have a pro set-up and get inquiries frequently ia word-of-mouth. However, I will now refer folks to local pros if I think they can pay for it.
Well done… An interesting perspective that I’m sure we’ve all experienced.
Good work.
The perception is that we just take a few pictures and its that easy. Often this comes from people we meet at events who stand there with their latest model, top of the range camera, which is set in Auto Mode. “It`s not that hard, look at this one I took today” as they show you the back of the camera. Yes, congratulations you have taken a few lucky shots, with all the praise going to the software in your camera. If you were asked to deliver a full range of creative shots, on time , to a brief you would struggle. It is time that our profession is taken seriously as it once was. A photographer has to have great organisational skills, people skills, creative foresite, instinct and passion. Thanks for this blog and it`s contents, very welcome and timely.
Well said Tony! Thanks! I am not a Professional (meaning I do not make a living from photography). I am an avid non-pro selling images here and there, asked and will be having a show in two or so weeks from now, have over 13,000 images in my website, used to shoot a Nikon F5 and now use a Nikon D700 with all sorts of lenses, have a good photo printer, and have thousands of dollars in associated photographic gear.
I do give my images of a plantation (where I am a volunteer and on their Board of Directors Friends group) for free to the plantation management to support the plantation. I also volunteer for a group that is rebuilding/planting/making more useful all the squares in our historic town. I give them my images to support their efforts, too. I also volunteer for a group that locates drowning victims for the Emergency Management Agency in our town. I give them my images of what we do to support our effort.
I feel these are very worthwhile efforts and I actually volunteer and do grunt work for all of them. If nothing else, my name is getting around that I document these things and also am very good (selfless self-promotion!).
All that aside, these folks have no real idea of the costs to myself to be able to provide them with my equipment and expertise – though they certainly gain the benefits. I have no issue with them.
It is the others, as you mention, that want images for free when we have no vested interest in them and they have none in us that makes us all so mad. As I said in the LinkedIn post, I will be asking what they will give me for free as long as I don’t think it will be detrimental to me in the long run with that particular group.
I love your letter. I am thinking of “re-creating” it in a manner that covers the non-professionals more specifically. We, too, have paid thousands and thousands for our gear over time, spent thousands of hours perfecting our “non-professional craft”, and our spouses are probably getting tired of supporting our habit!
I will look for that link to add myself to your list of photographers.
Kudos to you for telling it like it is…or should be!
Troup Nightingale
Southeastern Photography
http://www.southeasternphotography.com
troup:
you are too generous! the obvious question we all have, is how do you afford all your expensive gear when you don’t charge for your work? a separate income, i presume..? as a professional, i urge you to act more like a business person, and charge for everything to cover your costs. even simple philanthropic donations, once consistent, become detrimental to us all, because they set a precedent, however small, that photographers usually give stuff away. my rule is that i donate once to a non-profit, then, if they want me again, (which they usually do because i am good at what i do), then i charge them. the hard-working and honorable among them are always fine with this, and understand that i need to finance the great work i do for them. the takers will move on to the next fool who wants to give everything away, and the consistency of their brand or product will evaporate. you should try this too; please stand up for your effort and help everyone in our business!
best,
ac
Thank you for writing this, Please add my name above.
Thank you so much for this article – no more guilt and no more freebies.
I totally agree will all that’s been stated in this article. As professional photographers we run into all kinds of scenarios with people and their budgets. We too have budgets and try to make it in life. We must all stick together with what we do best, PHOTOGRAPHY. Stick with your pricing.
Michael.. I’m sticking to my pricing and not being a shoot an burn photographer. It pains me that people think its “funny” they have a point and shoot camera set on automatic, snap of hundreds of pics and post them on facebook for everyone to take for free, from an event I worked,and try to sponsor. Thing is I cant compete with free crappy pictures.. guess I will be NOT sponsoring them. Im sticking to my prices.
If you give it away it is a gift. A gift should always be appreciated. Make sure your gifts are given to those that deserve them.
Perfectly put together, thanks Tony.
It is surprising just how many people ‘don’t have a budget’ for photography, as often happens to professional colleagues of mine with weddings.
Add me to the list!
Fully agree with this!
I will use it, probably too often.
Excellent and well said. I do sometimes contribute to local environmental non-profits and am glad to do so. Beyond that, working for free just tends to lower the value of the work of professional photographers and make it even more difficult to make a living from their art.
This extends to business places who want to hang your art. Exposure is their rational. It makes their place look nicer but the likelihood of selling a piece is about 1%.
Add me to the list please
thank you thank you thank you
It pays dividends – one of the readers of your link that I posted on LinkedIn runs a local business group and I have been invited to speak to these business people next week on the importance of using a Professional to sell their Services and Products, Copyright Law and Rights Managed Images…
So people, carry on giving out the link to Tony’s excellent piece, this could lead to a couple of more LOCAL clients for me…!
agreed
love this it was very helpful and motivates me to charge because yes it does cost a lot be in this profession thank you again
Yes, the .org’s are the worst when it comes to wanting a photo and saying they are “non profits” …willing to pay the printer but not the photographer. Next, are the magazines who want photo(s) “tomorrow” and after delivering via email (after hrs of more editing and downloading), there is no reply and 2 months later, you see the “flikr” type image appear in double postage sized stamp in the feature article for which they originally requested!!!Our profession has become diluted, over saturated, and mediocre with undiscerning eyes. The term “professional” is now used by anyone and everyone.
Agree 100%.
If anything, it would be nice if people could also understand that in many instances (particularly event/wedding work, which has inconsistent lighting, meaning insane time spent editing and post-processing every image individually without batch work — correcting exposure and white balance at minimum), “10 hours” of shooting can easily equal anywhere from 40-60 (or more!) hours to finish the images. Add the post-processing time, the actual shoot time, the travel time (and gas), the pre-wedding consultations, drawing up contracts, marketing, etc., and that’s a LOT of time and money.
As it is, many people scoff even at more modest wedding prices on the lower $1,000 end. Woe is we.
Put me on your list Tony, a very welkom initiative.
Please put me on your list, Tony. And thanks for the great commentary and even better idea (this website).
Damn right! I will send my BS “potential clients” to this blog. please put me on the list.
Al B. For
Photographer
A very good piece. I struggle to sell photos but the rationale of giving them away has never resonated with me. If something is worth having it is worth paying for. If you give your work away that means your value to yourself is nothing!
I did donate one image for an auction to raise money for a special school, in return they gave 3 months pre-publicity on their website, with links back to me, and the images were still there 6 months after so it was 9 months of web presence for nothing.
The plumber would not fix your leaks for nothing just because you were broke – and not many people would have the hide to ask!
Great response and a timely release of the site too.
Congrats Tony.
P.S Please add my name up there mate.
I fully agree – well said – could not have put it any better!!
An example I think should b added, which I fine typical in my particular field, is as follows. A small clothing shop or designer needs photos for their ad/catalogue/etc they pay a model, a hairstylist, a MUA, sometimes cash and partial trade, generally they offer some store credit to u for the photography but they place the credit value at their retail price and yet ask u to place your value at about $15-20 hr for shooting time, then they ask for 10-20min worth of photoshop to b done to 100 images which translates into an additional 16-32 hours of your time which they don’t want to pay you for, and uf u complain they just ask u for them on a disc do they can have a friend do it for free. If u counseled you have given up all creative control over your images and your rights as to how they are used. I’m sure like many photographers out there (who have been in the industry for more than a few years) I have more than $50,000 in equipment, lights, cameras, lenses, etc, not to mention the thousands of dollars and time spent building my cyclorama. Even with the low rent I pay it cost $2000 a month just to keep the lights in and the doors open, u add the wage if my part time photo assistant $400wk and suddenly we are looking at $3600 a month, and I havnt even paid myself yet. U decide that into 18 sessions a month and the $300 setting fee only pays me $50 a week more than I pay my assistant, and I work twice the hours she does. So when the ask for everything on a disk I’ve just been cut off @ the knees because the only profit I make is the print sales. No one would ever go to their home-builder and say I’ll buy some wood and you can build my house for store credit @ my shoe store, they would get hit with a hammer.
Add me to the list … Nicely written
Swesome text! Business here in Quebec (QC/CA) don’t understand this…
Please add me to the list to support.
Kevin Gauthier / http://www.urbanhdstudio.com
Thank you.
Here I am, thinking it’s only in the Netherlands that the photographer is the only part that is asked to work for free, because there is no budget for photography. Seems like it’s a world wide phenomenon after all.
Love this! We come across so many people who say I don’t have money.
Great article!
add me to the list.
I haven’t been asked to work for free this week. Yet. But then, it’s only 6:37 am.
Forgot to mention in my previous comment:
Please feel free to add me to the list above. Thanks, Tony! 🙂
Please do add me to this ever growing list 🙂
Add me to the LIST!
I strongly believe photography is art it’s not just snap and print.
Very well written and a much needed article. It is important for us as photographers to try and educate the general public that we cannot work for free. That we do have expenses and have to pay our bills like everyone else.
Pleas ad my name to your list.
Eloquently put and well said. The situation is so bad that after nearly 20 years it looks like I may have to leave photography……..
Good job, Tony! Please add me to the list, also:
Moira Pomeroy
http://pomeroy-photography.com
This is a great idea. Please sign me up. Although lifelong photo collector and historian, I only turned professional photographer a few years ago, having spent many years previously running a specialised small retail business, which taught me much about the psychology of buying and selling, the customer’s perception of a bargain, etc.
I found that one of the biggest mistakes was to undercharge for your product or service. The less you charge the less you are valued, and often the meanest clients are those who can most afford your fees, but see it almost as a game to try to get something for virtually nothing!
After retraining in professional photography at art college, I spent large amounts of money on equipment, not just digital cameras + lenses, but 5×4 film film camera, scanner, studio lighting, A2 printers, computers, professional quality VDUs. Then there was insurance, travel, marketing costs, etc., quite apart from the fact that you usually have to spend several times the amount in time of the actual shoot on each job before you are completely happy with it.
Sometimes a potential customer will claim that they can get the same service cheaper elsewhere, in which case I politely decline to negotiate saying that I know that what I am offering may not be cheap, but it still represents excellent value for money, and while I am working for them I will give 100% of my energy and creative input. My reputation rests on my results, not on freebies.
I agree with this whole heartily.
Thanks Tony, I may add this on my new site with a link-back of course.
You can add me to the list as well.
Totally agree, add me to the list 🙂
also helpful is http://shouldiworkforfree.com
Well done. Politely explaining, in a non-confrontational manner, what can become a very emotional discussion. Thank you.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Verry good. Tru story.
Free Photos ruins the stock market . People who ask you for free photos don’t respect our work. Harlan Ellison’s – pay the writer (photographer) has the right answer for any request for free creative work:
LOVE this!!! thanks for sharing. how deeply would i love to send this out to so many of the commercial queries that i receive!!
Very well done, Thanks! You can add me to the list.
Please add my name as a signatory. As key author of NPPA’s Cost of Doing Business Calculator and several other resources, I find this an excellent explanation. And I will share it.
— greg smith
NPPA National Board Member
Bluffton, SC
Add my name! And what is even worse than paying a fee to be in a show..having to pay $50 to go to the gala opening! without the artist…there would be no show!
You’ve git the point. I am very much willing to join, a very short version of this would be very helpful. I van hardly imagine anyone reading through this long text. Thanks yrs Robert
Excellent piece.
well said
Its a very well done piece, I am definitely sharing this… Thank you
Totally agree and clearly explained. The value of a photograph declined a lot after the introduction of digital photography that some forget it is a profession.
I support this message.
Business cards are easy to make, same as website, blog, and fictitious business name. However, investment, education, and pure intuition in knowing the art, is not. I appreciate this, and shared it.
Thanks for writing this.
Excellent! Thank you so much for articulating it so well!
Very well said! Thank you for taking the time to make this for all of our benefit!
Please add me to the list.
I’m in – my name on the list. Couldn’t agree more!
Thank you so much for putting this out there for all the hard working Professional Photographers! It has been linked to on my website!
Add my name..Fade up with all those request.. I thought ,I am the only free photographer in this planet…:P.. you have hit the right spot….
Thanks for the enjoyable read. Very true and a problem we all face all of the time. I hope this helps photographers as a group to stand their ground and demand what their work is worth. Well done!
Thank you! Its an amazing article i get request for free images everyday. and couldnt agree more with ur article!
Amen.
And…PLEASE! Add my name to this list!
i think its a common problems at around the world, how we can educate the client about it?
So totally worth reading for everyone on this planet! Really.
The message in this article is essentially ‘common sense’. And as we all are aware, common sense is not so common these days. Being a Graphic Designer, I feel so low sometimes because people just DO NOT realize the amount of work we put behind what we do. Sometimes it is unbelievable what happens to us. I love the couch example in one of the comments, I gave a similar example of luggage to one of my clients when I was asked to do some spec work. Cut to the point easily, and I’m glad he was someone who could understand.
There’s an interesting talk by Mike Monteiro of Mule Design Studio here http://vimeo.com/22053820 and I’m sure most of us in the creative fields will have a smile on our faces watching it.
About time…Could not have said it better myself! Thanks for taking the time to articulate this point so well!
Please please add me!
RE: Teguh’s comment: Teguh…this is NOT about educating the client. (when all of you are done screaming at me…) Ok…this is about educating photographers on how to conduct business. It needs to happen in the schools. It needs to happen through mentorship. It HAS GOT TO start with the photographers. Clients couldn’t give a damn about our business; if they can get it for free from an uneducated (in the ways of business) photographer, then why the hell not?! Until photographers learn to conduct a business then nothing will change.
And I could not resist posting this as an example. This person is a bane on the photo community with this type of attitude.
“”just finished photographing two BEAUTIFUL log homes here in (location delted)…..I could do this all day long and NOT get paid! I love being in these beautiful spaces!”
Mind you that these are (on average) $1 million dollar homes. Images are being shot for realtors (sorry, i Refuse to capitalize that term!) who make approximately 5-6 percent of the sale value. Oh, and the photography is not done well. Period.
i couldn’t agree more. (and realtors are the bane of the photo community. i’ve had them sit in my studio and slam my work in front of their client, refuse to pay $1,000 for professional architectural imagery that does justice to a multi-million dollar listing, and then produce hysterically bad pictures with their own point-and-shoot which frankly harms their client’s sale prospects. oh well. time to avoid that market segment!)
you cover the problem…
Jim Chagares – sign me up.
I got three request just this week for free usage of images and it is only Tuesday. Here is one of them just as mentioned above:
As you can see, we own a bed and breakfast in Brookville. We are currently in the process of updating our website and adding new photos.
We mentioned to Don a few weeks ago that we are trying to get a photo of an eagle on Brookville Lake to put on our website in an effort to promote Brookville Lake, and our bed and breakfast. Don mentioned you and your work, and just sent us a disc of your photography. You definitely have an impressive collection.
Anyway, we were wondering if there was anyway we could use one of your photos on our website either by giving credit to you and/or possibly a link to your website.
Also, we have seen you photos at Wolf Creek Habitat. They are gorgeous. Your name sounded familiar and now we know why.
Thanks so much. We hope we can work together on this.
Great text. I am at start of the path of becoming photographer, but already noticed people thinking/saying-if you love taking photos, why do you want to get payed for it.?!
I will be giving direction to the above text, thank you for it.
Please add my signature
Karola
Well done. Thank you for so clearly articulating the elements of this issue – including the fact that some of us do, indeed, donate work in cases where we believe that doing so is warranted.
Can you add my name to the list?
Thanks,
G Dan Mitchell
I am not a “pro” by a long shot, but I agree with this article 100% since this applies to a lot of other things other than photography. I know a lot of friends of mine that photography is their day job, their 100% source of income and I know how much sacrifices they have to make in order to pay their bills, so I sympathize with all of you.
Keep up the great work!
Rafael
What else is there to say…great piece and true!!
This is a well thought-out and articulated explanation. Please add me as a signatory!
Thanks,
Ben Chase
Thank you!!
Excellent!
Great initiative! Maybe we should pay a text writer to write a simple and more clear version of this?
Wonderful post. I will be sure to keep this on hand, as I receive many such requests. Thank you for this.
Excellent read! Thank you for investing your time to clarify this burning problem. Lets hope that this will be read by those who it concerns and help professional photographers to hold the ground.
Please can you add me to the list?
Thank you,
Petr Hlavacek
Great article! I’m thinking of reposting this on my website or place a link but unfortunately, not all of the points are applicable to me or to the place where I’m at or where I’m shooting most of the time.
If I can rephrase some of the words or maybe add some points, with your permission, this will be a good reminder to my future clients.
Portraits by Bukool
Cebu Wedding Photographer
http://www.bukool.com
As an aspiring photographer, really insightful – Thank you
Great – nothing else to say. Please add me to the list too.
Thanks
Rolf
A very insightful article! I am an aspiring photographer and I’ve given up the hope to own a good DSLR camera after I heard its price! Really very expensive! I completely agree with your view that photographers have every reason not to provide images for free!
I am planning to provide my images for free, because they did not meet the quality requirement for sale! (I hope people won’t demand quality to get the images for free.) My digital camera and its (fixed) lens aren’t adequate to produce high quality images. I know that to capture good images costly instruments are as important as the skill, experience and judgement of the photographer!
Thank you for the great article!
Prem, don’t make the mistake of telling yourself and your potential customers that you should give your photographs away for free because they were taken on your inexpensive, fixed lens camera. Thinking that way will never get you into the financial position to buy the DSLR of your dreams! Even not-so-great images have a place in the photographic market – for example, they make terrific starter images for the many teach-yourself-Photoshop magazines that are emerging.
If you start valuing your own work, others will value it also. As Jim Thorp said above, it’s all about the psychology of buying and selling: ‘The less you charge the less you are valued’. Putting a price on your work immediately plants the idea in a buyer’s mind that they are getting something of worth. If you think your work is worth nothing, the one receiving it will think it’s worthless too; they’ll value you less as an artist as well – which is not a great way to make a career doing what you love..
Fancy equipment does not a photographer make ;0) you can have the best stuff out there and not have the ability to make art from your images. You can put a very basic camera in someone’s hands and, if they have the talent and knowledge, they can produce wonderful works of art. Granted, you may not want to do large prints with some of them … but the point is that YOU are what makes the photo, the camera is the tool you make it with.
Fantastic! Your words mean much to me and have experienced this “phenomena” many, many times in my 30 year career as a professional photographer! Just recently, I had a friend of my wife, who lives across the country, send me an email asking me to send her many of my landscape pictures to her so she could use them as she sees fit! Not even a please or offer of any form of payment other than a lot of praise–which I have learned many think is a form of payment! Such nonsense! I am going to send her a link to this page!
Please add me to the signatory list! Thank You!
From someone who is sooooo tired of trying to justify that I, too, have to make a living in this tough climate, this article is long overdue. Add me to the list.
With you all they way!! A perennial problem that has only gotten worse in the current economic climate. Add me to the list.
Add me to the list please, I´ve being replying similarly for years ;O)
Regards
George
Excellent article. Add me to the list please.
There are far too many people jumping onto the photography bandwagon for “fun” and literally giving away photos for ‘credit’ in turn giving companies that “anyone with a camera can take photos” attitude. This article really brings it home and tells it like it is.
Rod Datoc
Now to enlighten the masses…
As someone else said, “I thought I was the only one”.
I get an average of one request every 2 weeks for me to do “free photography”, yet the entities in question are rarely short of money; one was a subsidiary of Siemens.
An excellent article, thank you so much. Please add me to your signatory list.
Please add me to the list. I’m a pro British Wildlife photographer and regularly get requests for photos that often turn into requests for freebies when I reply back suggesting I require a fee (even a small fee). I usually ask for the magazine’s usual rate. Replying to such requests takes time and effort. I suggest someone should compile a list of freeloading papers and magazines to shame them. I would start with a company who showed me no regard to the amount of TIME photographers spend on getting images, and that is TIME MAGAZINE. Here is the opening email I had from Katy Steinmetz earlier this year: Note how suddenly she drops out of any negotiation once money is suggested.
“Hi David – We’d love to write up a post on your [wildlife photography] experience. May we have permission to use your photos, and would you be willing to share any more than the three the Guardian had? Any comment you’d like to send about your experience would also be great. ”
Thanks,
Katy
I then asked what her usual rate is as a guide for a fee, she replied..
“Thanks for getting back to me Dave. We wouldn’t pay for the images, so I think it’s probably not meant to be. But good luck with your work.”
–Here’s my reply to her abrupt reply…..
Dear Katy,
That’s really sad! I didn’t realise that contributers to TIME magazine didn’t get paid! I had to ask [for a fee] and would have been happy with just a few dollars an image, not hundreds, because my professional income has bottomed to subsistence level due to photography becoming seen as worthless by much of the media. If your magazine is genuinly in need of charity, and in the spirit of mutual cooperation during hard times I will offer to send you something for free.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you still want to go ahead.
David
—
And this is her final response…..
David,
It’s not a general policy [to pay for photos]. I was pursuing this for a short, fun post rather than a feature we would budget for. I completely understand your valuing your work. Please disregard the request and again, best of luck.
TIME Magazine
1130 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Office: 202-861-4016
Cell: 417-569-2757
Wow. Just wow.
Thanks for this, Tony, and please add me to the list.
Excellent article which rang true as only this afternoon I got the ‘can you ‘just’ do some photography for us? ‘Us’ being a very successful, award winning wedding business who have already benefited from my work in the past.
Please add my name to the list, thank you.
well said
Excellent…you’ve put into word what we would like to say to so many potential clients. In future I’ll just send them to this article…well written !!!
well said. I’ll be directing all requests to this statement from now on.
Please add me to the list
Brilliant piece, Tony! Very well written. Diplomatic, too It just makes so much sense!
I get asked about once a week for free work, so I’m not surprised by any of this. Thanks for taking the time to expound on this subject.
I am with you. Well written.
Completely agree with everything said, well done! I will be linking to this everywhere.
Please add me to the list of signatories.
Helen
Edinburgh, Scotland
Helen Wallace-Thomson
Wallace Artworks Photography
How about accepting food as a payment?
I’m with you!
You have nailed this perfectly.
Please add me to the list
Dinendra Haria
Photos by Dinendra
http://www.photosbydinendra.co.uk
http://www.photosbydinendra.wordpress.com
Thank you for writing this. Please add me to this list.
Excellent article. We must all do more to educate our clients and the general public – few consider how high our operating costs are, let alone the years we’ve invested in our training and development, and the time we invest editing and perfecting our images. I frequently add educational features to my Blog and I hope more photographers will do likewise. Please add me to the list.
This is perfect. Please add my name to the list.
I am adding my name here, not so much as a photographer but as a digital artist and oil painter also. I just was asked for a free image and am glad to be able to send here. Thank you!
Well written article. Totally agree. Please add my name as a signatory.
Very well-written. Thank-you. Please add my name to this list.
In total agreement. Please add my name as well.
I totally agree.
Agree and please add my name to the list.
I recently got “chastised” because I don’t give pictures away for them to have so they can put them on facebook for free.
But then we pros have to put up with things like this “well, that’s the only way I can get my name out there is by putting it on facebook. and they make comments like, but don’t steal them, this is how I make a living. If your work is good enough or bad enought, ( it will speak for its self).
Sorry, I don’t work for free. kinda hard to pay for the equipment that puts food on the table.
Thank you for such a well written and truthful article.
Just received the offer to trade for credit from a major university. Not the first time this has ever happened, but at least now I can reply to that ‘offer’ with this well thought out and organized letter.
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
please add my name, many thanks.
Dave Jackson
Unfortunately, this is an ongoing dialogue/battle with clients. Thank you for such a clear and succinct text to refer unreasonable clients to. Please add my name to the signatories.
Excellent, though long and many potential clients may not read all of it…
Well written though!
Charlie
/signed!
Brilliant. Please add my name to the list.
This is great. Although I’m just starting out in the field this will be very useful for when I do begin trying to make an income.
Thanks for the convenient link and consise commentary..
Best Regards,
Guy Schlacter
http://schlacter.smugmug.com
http://www.GreatRentalKeystone.com
Brilliant.
Please add my name to the list.
Thanks.
Very Well Said – Please add my name to the list as well
Amen!
Very well written page covering almost all points that I’ve been fumbling to tell cheap clients – potential or in hand.
Specializing in food and interior photography for restaurants in India and despite having a flexible chargesheet, client’s standard response is usually, “Woah! You charge that much money! We have a budget constraint and can only pay you this much” And these are owners of places that charge about $50 for any main course (it’s a lot in India!).
I’ll be sure to include this page in most of my future correspondence with such clients. 🙂
Thanks Tony, this is invaluable.
This is so true 🙂 You can sign me in 🙂
Please add me to the list:
Elizabeth R. Rose
http://southwestliz.smugmug.com/
Thank you!
Well said. You can certainly add my name to the list.
yes indeed! please forward this to every photographer you know, but more importantly to every design professional, every magazine editor, art director, ad-man, amateur photographer, webmaster, “non-profit” manager, friend and beggar you meet!
Hi Tony, It’s absolutely true. Please sign me in. Thanks!
Hi guys: I really liked this post, which reflects my continued discussions with many of my clients. Could translate into Spanish for my site? Of course I would link to your page!
Sign me in!!! http://muhammadfadli.com
Hi Tony,
I’m absolutely agree with you. I hate people that buy photos with low price and their sell it again for high price in another website.
Please sign me in. 🙂
Thanks
Hi … This is absolutely correct … very well said. Whenever it comes to photography assignments the client go short of budget, always !!!!!
Totally agree! If we can’t appreciate our own works, who else can? Add me to the list. I support this!
I want to add that I am finding blogs a large part of the problem, and I see no way to combat them. They rarely give proper photo credits, and they certainly don’t pay, and yet their survival depends on the contributions of photographers. I shot some interiors for a decorator friend, and my images must have appeared on well over a dozen different blogs. Maybe half of those bothered to credit me or include a link to my website. Several of them were happy to put a link when I asked (no money of course), but I was surprised they had no idea who the photographer was. Clearly they are not in the habit of asking. I have many bloggers asking for images, the NY Daily News asking for images, and a high end Middle Eastern magazine asking for images. None of those will pay. Often I don’t even bother to respond. Where does this stop?
Darrin Harris Frisby
…cannot work for free
http://www.DarrinHarrisFrisby.com/
Awesome, sign me up!
Excellent article, well phrased and presented, much better said than the slighted emotions we feel having to state this to customers.
You hit the nail squarely on the head, Tony. Please add my signature.
Kory Lidstrom
Fine Image Photography
http://www.fineimagephotography.com
Agree – please add me to the list
Well done! Feel free to add my name to the list.
I am writing here to support your article, sign me up!
Please add my name to the list. Thanks for the good work.
100%!! Please add me to the list
I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for creating this.
Jason O. Watson
http://www.jasonowatson.com
Add me
Great timing on this article. Lately, I have been encountering clients who are trying to get services/images for peanuts if not totally free. This should make potential clients, buyers and agencies think twice before they even con us pro photographers into giving our services/images for free or even low-balling our worth in exchange of exposures and credits. This will also make beginning photographers think hard before giving away their images and services for free and realize that they are ruining the road to their future. Kudos to the writer Tony Wu!
I’d like to add my signature to the thousands you’ve got already. Your points apply equally to journalism (I’m a freelancer who considers herself 75% words and 25% images); we’re all fighting the same mindset.
Excellent article and so much of it totally true.
Congratulations! I’m with you. Add me to the list if you wish.
Valerio Berdini
Count me in. This is great
Valerio Berdini
http://valerioberdini.com
Thanks to Tino Soriano and other photographers for sharing the above text!
Thank you for the excellent well written post. Please add me to the list.
Very well expressed. Please add me to the list also.
Do you have anyone working on a Spanish translation? If not, let me know and I’ll see what I can do, as I live and work in Spain. Please write me an e-mail directly regarding the translation. Thanks!
Please add me also. 🙂 It is perfect.
Thank you very much for this! Will definitely have some clients read this. 🙂
WELL SAID!
Thank you! This fine articulation is a game changer for me. Great Work!
Great post. I constantly argue the same point, especially with charity events, in which case I point to the following PDF ( http://www.charitynavigator.org/__asset__/studies/2010_CEO_Compensation_Study_Revised_Final.pdf ) . Charge or barter.
Excellent article! Written in such a professional and non-sarcastic way that it really gets the point across without offending anyone. I am a surf photographer, which means my equipment is VERY expensive and heavy! I have to research swells, tides, winds, etc. to decide which spot is likely to have the best waves on any given day. I spend huge amounts of time driving from beach to beach to do surf checks, spend lots on gas and parking, walk long distances up and down cliffs and across soft sand lugging very heavy equipment, then spend hours shooting (I need to make enough money to pay for Botox since I am always staring into blaring sun). Once I get home I spend countless hours sorting, uploading and then the time-consuming process of editing the photos. I charge $10.00 for a high res digital download, so nobody can say I am gouging. I get lots of fan mail from surfers who love my photos, but, these same surfers EXPECT me to give them their shots for free! And, the sad truth is that if I say no, there are dozens of other guys who are happy to give their photos away. Many kids “friend” me on Facebook, only because they hope I will post their surf shots on my Wall and then they can “use” them for free. I can’t begin to tell you how many charities I donate my work to (very long days shooting and many days editing afterwards) who then provide MY work to dozens of websites and publications and I get nothing (the charity gets “exposure” and I get “photo credit” sometimes). I love what I do and because I appear so happy at my work, far too many people think there is no “work” involved and therefore, no need to pay me for my time. The worst situation I have run into is when low budget/no budget surf magazines solicit photographers to provide high quality surf photos for free and then they get many of the photo credits mixed up! It is a very bad feeling when I open a magazine and see one of my photos with someone else’s name on it, but it is even WORSE when a publication puts MY name on someone else’s photo. Another wise photographer once told me, “Free only begets more free”.
Well said, and well done Mr. Wu…
Thanks a bunch!
Greets from Central Spain
thanks …traslate to spanish!!!
Merci…
Merci de défendre la profession…
Yes! Perfectly stated!!!
Pleas add my name to your list.
Agree with this !
We donate back to charity alot when we do events, and sometimes will give the odd image for free if it benefits us.
Thank You posted on my group page on Facebook hoping many fellow professionals also read post forward and follow.
Very well done, I agree wholeheartedly! Our field of work is no different than any other, we expect to be paid for our time, experience and talent.
Excellent for all creative professionals.
YES!
Excellent article! I hope that people who hire photographers will read this, not just photographers.
Magníficamente bien explicado.Con contundencia pero sin perder la educación.Entre todos podremos convencer a los clientes que esta profesión no es solo darle al botón de una máquina fotográfica.
Yes Yes Yes!
Great article, it’s all true. I hope more “Photographers” take this guide and use it as it should be. A strict guide. Too many point and shooters simply handing out images just to become a friend or post pictures to a forum or facebook have left us with crowded sidelines at drag racing events in my area. There is no “exposure” to handing out images and taking away from the “official” track photographer. Stand your ground.
Spanish Traslation in:
http://www.stopclausulasabusivasalosfotografos.com/2011/12/como-responder-cuando-te-piden.html
or
http://tinosoriano.blogspot.com/2011/12/si-te-piden-fotos-gratis-enviales-esta.html
This is a Spanish Group in FaceBook fighting against the abusive clauses in the photographer’s contracts. Below the traslation in Spanish.
Gracias por la traducción al Español . Por mi parte hare circular esta pagina para hacer conciencia en muchos fotógrafos.
Saludos
Yeee-up!!
well said
Thumbs up… big time !!!
I’m with you and please add me to the list, if you wish.
Thanks, Ivan
Couldn’t agree with this anymore. The point about ‘free’ and ‘credit’ totally hit the nail on the head.
Thank you for taking the time to distill and express the experience of so many hundreds from photographers and aritsts. Thank you!
Please permit me to use your template and to quote you whenever relevant and useful.
Absolutely. This should come with every new DSLR sold. Listen up kids.
This is perfect. Thanks for your time to put this together.
Just had a few photos used in two publications in NYC that I was to get paid for and now they won’t even return my emails. New York Times Mag and New York Mag. !!! Beware !!!
Send certified letters to each. Give them 30 days to remedy the situation. Let them know you’ll file a warrant in debt in small claims court against them if they do not pay.
Thank you for this… love it!!!
Thank you for letting us use this. I’m going to blog it now.
I once got a call from the organizer of a large engineering conference who offered me $5 to put my photo on the cover of the conference brochure, on the poster, throughout the conference. Five dollars. “Photos are only $1 on iStock.” she said. “Then I guess you should buy your photo from iStock.” I said.
Brilliantly articulated!! This is amazing! Thank you for sharing and letting us use it.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the article. I am sharing the link.
In addition to being a photographer, I am also a copy editor. So I cannot help myself, but…
Please put all commas and periods inside quotation marks. And remember, there is no “judge” in “judgment.” Re: “Taking snapshots may only involve pressing the camera shutter release, but creating images requires skill, experience and judgement.” {cringe}
Hi Kat,
Thanks for the tips. I guess that’s why I’m not a copy editor!
But: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/judgement?q=judgement
When there are dual usages/ spellings, I tend to go with the Brits, since they invented the language 🙂
Thanks Tony – you got there before me! In these international times it is really tricky navigating the cultural niceties of language. (I agree on the punctuation, though!) Perhaps we should all shoot in black & white to avoid referring to colo(u)r…
I was never good with punctuation, but I did take Kat’s advice to heart, and just corrected a sentence in a draft of something else I was working on. Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks?
Perfect and so true thanks again for spelling it out . art brewer
I agree too !
Where do I sign ? ^^
Gracias Tony
Excellent! I’d love to be on the signature list.
Great article! Glad this was put up to educate the public 🙂
Where do we sign?
I agree.
I agree with all that you have said above. It’s the same in my field as a professional writer and editor and a music and entertainment writer for magazines (Rolling Stone, FHM etc). It’s great that you have shared this information as it applied to many of the arts field. Thank you for taking the time to outline this.
Excellent summing up. I’d be pleased to be added to the list as well
Well explained and very balanced. I agree with everything here.
Nicely put. I don’t think a lot of people really understand how much time and effort goes in to photography.
Being an easy to pick up difficult to master skill, people tend to not realise or possibly appreciate the finer points of photography.
I’d be happy to be added to the list.
Text originally written in English by Tony Wu.
read on
http://titoherrera.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/respuesta-a-los-que-piden-fotos-gratis/
tito is a mercenary that does not know the word solidarity … not only is a mercenary tito tony wu but also seems to be the original author of the text
when he says: “Especially in projects and efforts related to areas such as education, social issues and natural resource conservation. It is fair to say that in many cases we would like to have the time and resources to help more than just sending pictures. ”
I firmly believe that when it comes to education issues, social issues and conservation of natural resources when we have more responsibility to report, help and give our photos without asking anything in return ….. the contrary would be good for us to help NGOs on all who make more than superhuman efforts which nThe ye that are there do not earn salaries but make time for their families, their jobs, their vacation to help a company better …. . if they have “time” and want to report this type of mercenaries and disseminate this thank you
The views of this kind seem to me contemptible, and the attitude that I really did antisolidaria question if not totally opposite thing to do …. people like this is what feeds the big global business news, are the vultures who do not want to end to wars, hunger, trafficking in arms and persons as they are the business ends.
So not only is a mercenary tito tony wu but also seems to be the original author of the text
Alavro,
No one is preventing you from working for free as much and as often as you’d like. By all means, it’s your choice.
Attacking people and calling them mercenaries that feed big global business news and “vultures who do not want to end wars, hunger, trafficking in arms” says more about you than it does about your targets.
Take a chill pill and have a good holiday
Tony
Very well written explanation, please add me to the list.
Never was truer words written.
Well said!
Nicely done!
Absolutely spot on. I completely agree also
I am a budding professional photographer and have, literally, just started doing professional work. Already, I have had a few people ask for free pictures to ‘build my portfolio and get free advertising’. It is very frustrating to have people expecting you to just give them freebies. Like someone said earlier, because you like to do it it doesn’t mean it’s not work. Equipment, websites, etc. cost money and time. This article can be a helpful tool (to people such as myself) to explain why our work is valued and comes at a price. I can get extremely frustrated (and admittedly, outright angry) at times and lose the ability to articulate well. That is where this article can be handy, at least for me.
Example: My husband and I went to a wedding party for one of his colleagues. As we were sitting at one of the tables the new wife of said colleague approached me and said “Oh, are you taking pictures?” (as my camera was sitting out in front of me on the table). I told her I had it with me to take a few photos of the people we (my husband and I) knew and some of the landscape and such, then she went on about her business. A week later I received a message that she was wanting to know when I was going to send her photos to her and that I was taking too long. My jaw completely dropped! I replied trying to explain the situation to her nicely and received nothing back. A month later, I found out that she had started to harass my husband to try and get the photos from him because I was ‘being ridiculous’. Thus came the outright anger…grrr
Please put my signature on the list. And thank you for the article.
So true, over the last year we are finding new advertising customers coming to us for their work. Doing it in-house was not producing a magazine level product. Old adage “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR”
500 guys agreeing so hopefully a small dint in the free images brigade & a thumbs up for the industry. Merry Christmas everyone…
EXcellent. Professional photographers really need more collective actions such as this one.
Brilliantly said Tony! Thanks a million for being our voice!
Thanks for the “letter”
I’d like to have my name added to the list, Jared Krauss or J.E. Krauss.
I’m not a professional….yet! 😉 but I’m working on it.
Cheers,
Jared
Thank you so much for this. Can I borrow this template?
By all means! If you’re posting online, please link back to this site, so other people can find the text and translated versions.
Thank you for finally saying this, and please add me to the list!
and more I just can’t think of,. good work.
This is so true!! Please add me to the list. Thank you.
Very well written and very true, I love to help people out if the cause benefits but our bills need to be paid too.
All the best,
Steve
Truth!
Please add my name to the list..
Thank you for articulating this point so clearly.
Please add my name to the list.
regards,
Bruce Leventhal
Brilliant.
Please add my name to the list…
Amen.
Please add my name to the list
(Cynthia Mead)
As someone who is trying to take his love of photography to the next level. I have found all the realities of your article to be so true over the last year. Luckily for me i have a my regular job and my photography is a additional endeavor. I seriously do not see how most professional photographers break even as a business more or less make a profit from it. With that being said i know that most photographers are not doing it for the money but because they enjoy doing it. Good luck and continued success to all.
Tony, you have managed to write what many of us think every time we’re asked for freebies. I specially like this section [Getting “Credit” Doesn’t Mean Much]. When you’re starting out seeing your name on your photos seems like a lot but in fact it’s requirement (as you mention). I am guilty of giving away a lot of good work. It wasn’t until I noticed that I was getting zero business from these “projects” that I stopped.
Please add me to the list and thanks for allowing us to use this text. I’m sure I’ll use it very soon
Hi. I had a request for a Free image of an old school on my Web Site. As an older photographer (+50years in business) I had taken the requested image
in 1960/61 and the building was gone…. long time back. The school in its
present building was setting up a Web Site to show the history of school.
The school is moveing to a new location . I requested again for no fee , for my Web Site , to record pictures of the new building shots of a
modern school room. (room no children) The move to the new building
is soon, and so far no responce nor have I any up date
on the use of my picture.
With a high street location we get many requests “A Donation for…..”
No Chance.
Very well said! I donate photos to my hobbies/causes. I have also been the victim of internet theft of my photos, several of which have gone viral. That hurts! I have seen my photos used on websites without credits given, my watermark removed. The public can be clueless. Thankfully, I have a passion for photography, whether I sell or not.
Please add my name to your list. Thank you…I will share on my FB page.
A very good article.
Add my name to the list .
i totally agree on this statement!
Please add Images Dominica to the list
Well said! Please add me to the list.
I concur. I absolutely love what I do and couldn’t imagine life any other way, however, it’s a livelihood and not a hobby. For that reason, I operate as a business. I do donate a ton of hours and work to worthy causes but I do (of course) expect payment for all other clients.
My example for people telling me they’ll give credit is, “I don’t ask a dentist to keep my teeth nice and in exchange when people tell me I have a nice smile, I’ll tell them it’s because of the dentist.” That’s a joke. People respect that profession and expect to pay … so why would offering credit be any different for a photographer? I’d prefer payment and credit. =)
Plus, last I checked, I can’t pay my bills with, “Did you see where I was published last month?”
Agree,Please add me to the list.
I absolutely concur, Tony. I worked several years in a different field, then retired, in part, so I could move to a more creative venue. I found being: 1) an entrepreneur; 2) in a service industry; and, 3) a business that functions by way of “intellectual properties”, gave the impression the service being performed was cost-free. I am always amazed by folks who want something for nothing…and feel they are entitled to it.
Please add me to your list.
Tony,
thank you for this. I’ve read just about everyone’s comments!
What does it mean to be added to the list?
Hi Laura – Tony is on a boat at the moment, I am looking after the site. ‘Adding to the list’ just means we will add your name to the long list of signatories you see at the bottom of the post. An expression of support…
Exactly!! Please add my name to the list!
Thank you for this post and please add my name to this list
Amen, please add my name to the list.
Absolutely! This is the stand that every professional photographer should take. Thanks for the webpage.
Thanks Tony, you can add my name to the list also.
I am a freelance photographer.
I love the comment “we are on a tight budget”, “bla, bla, bla” etc……. Sorry, but your excuse for not paying in full doesn’t cut it.
Have your rates and stick to your guns. It’s better to walk away and not gain a new client, then to have gained a new client and spend now and into the future working for them for next to nothing an a cut rate.
They wont appreciate you and your, they’ll push you harder for less, also your next client will want to pay you less then what they paid.
Thus begins the endless cycle down, down, down to the point where now they come up to you and go “Hey, if you shoot my images for free it’ll look great for your portfolio”.
Don’t do it.
Thanks Tony, this is excellent. We’ve all been there, repeatedly. I’ll share this via my Faceberk, sorry Facebook page. I arrived here via LinkedIn, Diane Harrison’s blog http://www.imageandlightphotography.co.uk
I have, and will provide work for free to support things I feel are worth supporting. The key here is the phrase “things I feel are worth supporting”. One thing I’ve found with some “charity” pests is they can’t understand one of the reasons I won’t give work to them for free is I am ethically opposed to what they do. They choose to forget the right to dissent applies to everyone, not just them.
Thanks so Much for sharing this! Posted it on facebook aswell! Love it!
Very True.. Ive been in the same situation countless times, if not this it would be haggling. ( they woul ask my price for such a job and before I even tell them my asking price, they would mention out other people,, because they have a friend who’s willing to do the job for just this amount.) no respect at all.. When ever I come across such people I just turn around and tell them politely that I think it would be much better If you just give the job to person you know, after all they know you better than me and you already know what to expect from his work…. Great article, thanks, I needed that off load.. 🙂
pls. Add me to your list..
And can I post a link of this on my site?
Many thanks
Mike – By all means post a link. The text and site is there to be used! Matt
Fantastic response to an everyday question. Thank you for addressing this challenge. Please add me to your list. Cheers – Karen
Agreed. Please add my name as well.
I’d love to be added to this list.
I am a photographer just starting out professionally, and I agree wholeheartedly with what you wrote. The only free work I do is that of compiling enough for a decent portfolio so I can showcase my work. But now I’m charging, mostly because I can’t afford to not get paid.
Add me to the list!
I may post a link to this on our blog!
Excellent article!
This hopefully will enlighten consumers as well as photographers….
Need to have it translated in Dutch as well as it is so true! Thank you and add me to list please.
Roeland – We have a Dutch translation available here – https://photoprofessionals.wordpress.com/dutch/. Please feel free to use it… Matt
Wow! For years I have been looking for a way to not be destructive in my responses. You covered it! Add me to your list and thank you!
Please add me to the list as well. Really well written and like others, I’ll be referring this to others.
Add me to the list!! !lol
Well said!
Yes! Please add me too!
Please add me to the list!
Add me to the list Tony. Great points and I would like to use it and spread it a little further. I think I would like to use it as a template and change a couple of things if that’s OK? But I’ll put your link on it of course as the creator.
Hi Derek – Matt here, I am looking after the site whilst Tony is away. Please go ahead and modify the text as you wish – it is there to be used, as a template or otherwise. I hope it proves to be useful. Perhaps you could put up a link here so others can see how you are using the text? Matt
A link to my usage.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=238158116268569&id=131153450286980¬if_t=like
Thanks Tony!
😉 D.
I’d love to sign this!
Add me to the list bro! 🙂
Please add my name to this list, and thank you for such a well-written piece!
Well stated. Thank you for speaking on behalf of professional photographers in general. Please add my name to the list: Ceci Snow
Please add me to the list.
Please add me to the list
Stephen Cotterell
stephen cotterell photography
http://stephencotterell.com
I fully agree. Please add me as a signatory.
Great article!
Now I know where to direct them to if they ask why-you-no-free-photos? Thanks for this post!
Excellent write up, thank you. Please add me to the list.
Great Job, man! You’ve summarized the feeling of millions of us… not only photographers, but video makers, bloggers and a lot of other people tired of this.
Add me to the list…
Pedro Serra
http://blogsemdestino.com
This type of posting never grows old. Thanks for this. The next time someone asks me to do pro bono work I’ll send tem to this post 🙂
Excellent Summary, Tony!
I would propose only one addition :: Working for Trade ::
Especially when negotiating usage fees with not-for-profit organizations, instead of lowering my fees to an uncomfortable level, I suggest a combination of cash plus trade for merchandise in their gift shops, dining in their restaurants, etc. This saves them money and both parties walk away happy.
Wonderful!! keep up with the great articles!!
I had a leak and phoned a plumber to come and fix it. We fixed a time for him to come, then I informed him that I cannot pay you and expected the work done for free. He thought I was joking then began to realise that perhaps I was mad, he then told me to fxxk off!!
Please sign me up… thanks! Nick
I’ll sign on to that
I agree 100%
Please add me in the list.
/Jukka Tilli
Andrew Clark sent me this link, and I love him for it. I wanted to share with you the reply email I sent him. I hope it gets the conversation started…
What an excellent link. I had to chuckle because this is the way pro wedding bloggers feel about PR people. My inbox is polluted with requests from PR people asking that publish and promote their products for free. In their eyes, I’m getting “free content.” In my eyes, I have to spend valuable time sorting through requests, and, if I do decide a product is the right fit for my readers, I have to take the time to at the very least write about it. If I’m doing a product review, I have to take more time reviewing it and hoping that I can take pictures that don’t suck.
Giveaways are the worst. Readers love them, but they are a time suck to administer and promote. Companies see it as I’m getting free stuff for my readers. I see it as a huge time commitment and I turn into a promotional machine on behalf of the company.
Just like your photographer friend has suggested, I have started charging PR people for what is essentially my time and my work. Unless I have some sort of relationship with a company, or unless they are a mountain wedding vendor, they get a media kit with my rates for sponsored posts and giveaways. The newest thing is companies and brands who want to “guest post” on my blog. The post essentially is an advertorial and is riddled with links back to their site with keyword rich anchor text. Um, no!
I have spent many thousands of dollars on my blog. I have paid to have it designed; I’m paying to have it re-designed; I pay for web development and coding; I pay for hosting; I’ve paid for recording equipment for my podcast; I’ve recently purchased a video camera for a new project I’m working on; I’ve paid for advertising on other blogs, and I am just gearing up to do Google ads and Facebook ads during my relaunch. I’ve also paid to travel to meetups and networking events.
I’ve also put thousands of hours into it. I have a business and marketing plan in place, and I get up at 4 am each day and work all weekend to develop content and promote it. This is a real business for me. I too feel I should be compensated for the time and money I have put into growing my readership as well as cultivating a positive relationship with my peers, who help me promote my posts and my vendors.
So when I read your photographer’s link, a light bulb went off. Yes photographers do spend time prepping photos for bloggers. And, after you hear it enough times, the “free publicity” pitch wears thin. Just as the “free content” pitch has worn thin for me. I understand the sentiment.
However, when it comes to wedding photography, it is a bit disingenuous to say you all are not compensated for your photography. And the coin of the realm online is inbound traffic, which is hard to get without someone promoting and linking back to you. I have always understood the relationship between bloggers, who ask to publish your pictures for free, as a symbiotic one. Just as you have put in the time to hone your craft, so to have I put in the time to grow my readership and strengthen my place in my niche. The trade-off is this: I get “free” pictures and you get “free SEO” from my higher traffic numbers and online reputation. Ideally, you’ll also get leads, but it depends on the blog. I believe niche blogs and regional blogs are better at generating leads than more general nationally-focused blogs are.
Still, it’s totally annoying to get email after email saying the same thing: Hi blogger/photographer, I love your blog/work…blah, blah, blah…
I believe that forming real, and mutually beneficial relationships is key. But it’s difficult and time consuming to find the right fit and the right relationships when your inbox peppered with pitches from PR people and bloggers who really don’t know you and who are contacting everyone else with the exact same generic pitch.
LOL, we are in the same boat Andrew!
Then there’s the problem of the up-starts we spoke of on the phone. The fly-by-night, here-today-gone-tomorrow, make-a-quick-buck types. During my last blogger meetup in NYC, we discussed how these bloggers ruin the reputation for pro bloggers. It seems you photographers see all bloggers in the same light: as lackeys who can’t afford a “real magazine, so they slap up a website.”
Yes, some bloggers are just that, and you can tell who they are immediately. They have a blogspot blog with a stock template. They just started blogging a month or two ago, and they have the audacity to contact you, one of the best wedding photographers in the world, and ask for you images for free.
But you can tell the difference between them and someone like me, or Every Last Detail, or Elizabeth Ann Designs? You can, can’t you? Look at the template. See how it’s original? A real designer designed that, and, like I said, I had to pay her real money. Then, I had to have a developer code it. Again, real money. I also pay for service like fresh books to track my invoicing, and I just purchased landing page software. These are real investments to promote a real business.
But having a real business doesn’t entitle me to your images, does it Andres? No it does not. Let’s not get started on the current directory listing or advertising model. It’s broken. There are plenty of bloggers are real business women, and who are in it for the long haul, but I’ve heard more complaints from photographers about directory listings than anything else. The sentiment I hear is from photographers is: blogger want their money, but you won’t publish their work. Or, blogger take their money and the photographers never hear from the blogger again.
So again, I think forming real relationships with real people and mutually supporting each other is the key. Pie in the sky? Maybe? But as each of our respective industries becomes increasingly glutted, we will need to be increasingly selective of who we give our time and energy to so as not to waste our valuable time and resources on here-today-gone-tomorrow folks.
So there it is: a blogger’s take. I really think this discussion needs to continue on a bigger stage. I’d love to see professional photographers and professional bloggers share their experiences and insights and come up with creative ways to solve some of these problems. There need to be some standards and protocols in place that center around mutual respect for each other’s business model.
Your link made me realize that, indeed, our problems are similar, and thus, we are in a unique position to creatively solve these problems and help support one another.
You photographers have your forums; we bloggers have our own. We all have the same complaints. I think it may be time to get together and start an open discussion. I think it’s important for each group to hear what the other group struggles with, and to find creative ways to support one another.
Thoughts?
Christie
Thanks for this thoughtful, constructive contribution Christie.
A brilliant post about a problem that’s getting worse and worse by the day.
Please add my name to the list
Well done, please add my name to the list.
Thank you,
Jeff
Well, that had to be written down and the way you wrote it Tony, is just perfect.
Thank you,
Venzo
Very well written Tony. Please add my name to the list – Dave Harley.
I am an amateur photographer, but I have a lot of time and expense put into my photography. And yes, like everyone above says “would you do a shoot for free – dont have much money….as they drive away in a new Lexus! (This is no lie; it happened.)
Perfect. Please add my name to the also.
I agree.
I appreciate the mostly-non-sarcastic approach to walking through this issue. Thanks, Tony, for putting it out here for us to refer to. Nicely done.
Heard.
Please add my signature to the list!
I agree!
Please add my name to the list.
Thank you!
Mary
Awesome right up, mate!
Yes, add my signature too !
Please note that now you can educate your “clients” with a short youtube video http://bitly.com/HmtzAx
Hi,
Thanks for the post I may use it in the future.
can you please add me to your list.
Thanks
Lorne
http://www.lornethomson.com
Thanks for the post and please add my name to the list!
Add me to the list of signatures please!
Best Thing I’ve Ever SEEN!! IT’S JUST SOOO TRUE!
… thank you …and duly tweeted… please add my name to the list…
top stuff. will tweet shortly.
100% Agree. Please add my name to the list!
I’m not professional but I fully agree and I’ll sign on to that.
I so agree. Please add me to the list.
Thank you Tony for this great document. I received a demand for a free photo session this week. The client would exchange a logistically complex, time consuming photo shoot with a lot of post-production against my copyright on the image, visibility and she would tell everyone about me ! I still can’t get over that one. And on top of that, how can they even imagine that giving the author credit for their work is a privilege or a form of payment ?! I refused in a very polite and profesionnal way, explaining to her that my work is valuable and that giving credit is not an option and nor a form of payment for the type of commercial assignment she was requesting. Surprisingly, she seemed to understand. I guess she had taken a chance to see if she could get it for free. A few days before that, a magazine editor asked for free images for an add campaign that would run for a full year ! I get requests for free images nearly every week, it’s ridiculous. I do provide free images for certain non profit organizations and for certain causes that I know will benefit others. However, most of the time, people are just too cheap or do not value our work. One thing that bothers me terribly is that some “people I know”, who do pretty good photography but that are by no means professionals (it is a hobby for them), get a huge high from seeing their image published. They give away their images with a huge smile and brag like crazy when the image is out. I tried to explain how this was hurtful for the profession to someone I know and he simply got upset and said that he didn’t understand why people want to make money with their photography. He was offended. He said that photographers used to make money and will continue to make money and the fact that he gives images away won’t change anything. This guy does good photography, as a hobby (he has a very well paid full time job and I’m sure he wouldn’t do any work for free at his job), yet his need for attention is fulfilled by getting published for free…. and clients know this all too well. Can this vicious circle really be stopped ?
Great blog. I support it 100%.
I make a point of asking them if they will dig the ditches around my house, unblock the toilet and knock down some walls at a place I am renovating as part of a barter agreement. Their reactions are predictable….
Please add my name to the list.
Thank you for making this document avialable to us. Please add my name to the list.
Well done! Please add my name as well.
Thank You well Done
As the owners of the probably largest website for competitive dancing (http://dancesportinfo.net) we see this problem on daily bases.
Our visitors search different ways to get photos for free, use them on Facebook, on their websites and are simply outraged that we chase them.
Tope dancers/teachers charge a lot of money for their time but also expect to get their photos for free even for commercial use.
We have set prices very low (unlimited commercial use is just 100 pounds and use for one single event is 30 pounds while private use is 10 pounds), but still we observe companies ordering from us photo for private use while paying with company credit card.
What people do not understand is the fact that, when they do not pay for photos, they gradually lose chance to have their photos taken as photographers cannot afford to go to different places if their work is not rewarded.
Bravo! Well stated.
I agree !
I agree, photographer’s work is about skills, we sell our visions and hard work so ask it for free, with costs covered from out pockets, doesn’t sound very fair. Do it?
Yesss!
Good stuff, well said, I totally agree.
http://www.davefoto.hu
http://www.facebook.com/davefoto.hu
Thank you for putting into words my thoughts and reasoning!
Thank you for this good article, Why should you get and whats important to book a professional, read here: http://www.muenchenhochzeit.com/index.php?p=17
Hochzeitsfotograf München, Hochzeitsreportage
This article is so valuable in these times where photographers sometimes undervalue their own work, creating the knock on effect of our potential customers not placing sufficient value on photography. This article spells out the reasoning in crystal clear terms and will hopefully justify the perfectly resonable costs we have to charge to make our photography businesses viable operations. Thank you!
Could you please add me to the list. Best regards,
Mario Bere, Hungary
I agree
Please add me to this list.
Great!
Please add my name to the list.
BRAVO TONY!…….I entirely agree with you and let’s hope that we can rally more photographers to wake up and take our passion more seriously while profiting from it too!…..Thank you and count me in!
Kudos Tony!…….you said it all…can’t agree more!….your thought is the same as mine only you expressed it much better!….please add me to the list of signatories!
Will certainly use your letter as a master template. I can’t recall how many times I have been asked to donate video footage for ‘credit’. The industry is in a tough place now as there are more and more novice photographers and videographers who are desperate to get their names in a credit. This boosts their own egos and undercuts the professionals at the same time. That is the unfortunate aspect to increased availability of hi end gear to the consumer.
Steve Douglas
Thank you for this. I’m going to adapt parts of it for myself, as it would come in handy even for me as a non-professional photographer. I blogged about one of my recent experiences here: http://www.b12partners.net/wp/2012/05/25/no-you-cannot-use-my-photographs-for-free-part-86/
100% truh stuff.
Please add me to the list
Food for thought:
OK, I’ll admit that when big companies ask you to work for free, it’s crap! Total crap. They have money. But sometimes a “little guy” will ask for a favor and it will turn out lucrative in the end.
Case in point: I asked a local photographer for a portfolio session in exchange for a link and a banner ad on my blog. During the course of the year, he was the first photographer I recommended to anyone. Later, when I got a job as the interactive marketing manager for my town, he was the first person I called for a 10K contract.
Sometimes it pays to be generous and focus on relationships.
Now if Coca Cola calls and asks you to work for free, screw ’em; they have money to pay you. But if an industry colleague needs some help, consider it. You never know what 2 hours of your time will turn into 😉
Most think that “taking” images is so easy – press the shutter – how hard is that – why should one pay for something that is so easy – but they are the first to line up to ask if they can use that image. Understand the complexity of creating compelling imagery and you will understand why we cannot give it away.
As a professional photographer I find it insulting when clients are willing to pay for all other services but balk when my reasonable quote is received as unreasonable. I especially love the lack of courtesy with no response or even a mere thank you for your time. I typically figure if you don’t respond with a mere thank you, I probably would not have wanted to work with you in the first place. Very good article for sure! Thank You.
Found this page after looking at another photographer’s profile on one of the major modelling portal sites. How true every word is that has been said here.
It gives me great reassurance.
An excellent article. Will be forwarding the clients who keep asking me here
Well I must say, excellent article!! Thanks for sharing !
Reblogged this on No Way. and commented:
I don’t have to add anything to this. The author says it all.
I am saddened by the arrogance behind this article. You honestly think that your profession in the creative arts is more important than any other? Do you see jewellers, painters, drawers, sculptors, or any other writing such things? We are all asked from time to time to help good causes and charitable events. I, like everyone else, have my own livelyhood to think of, but the idea of directing anyone to an article like this if I was aksed to help a good cause for charity makes me feel sick. The kind of human that would, is clearly laking in humanity.
Thanks for adding your point of view Ian. Nope. I think jewellers, painters, drawers, everyone needs to be paid for their work. Just as photographers should be. Everyone can also volunteer to contribute to causes they deem worthy. I made that quite clear in the text. It might behoove you to read the text before being so overwhelmed with indignation and self-righteous contempt.
Had to send this Craig’s List – ‘shoot for free and next time we’ll pay you’ advert your way, just in case you hadn’t seen it. I\’m still chuckling about it: http://www.digitalweddingforum.com/blog/shoot-for-free-and-next-time-well-pay-you Meanwhile, have been sending a link to your post to friends who need to read it. Thank you!
Well Ian, If you look at all the responses to this article, I guess just about all of us (myself included) are lacking in humanity. What an absolute inane comment you have made.There was no arrogance in this post whatsoever. Perhaps if you actually took the time to read it, you might get it. Then again, maybe not. Oh well.
Very well written article, HOWEVER , there are NUMEROUS PHOTOGRAPHERS (TOGs) based in Cape Town, South Africa that label any photoshoot that they have as TFCD when in fact it is just FREE PHOTO-SHOOTS…
I HAVE THE PROOF THAT DETAILS SPECIFIC PEOPLE in CAPE TOWN.
If you want the link, please feel free to contact me !
Completely agree with what has been said. I feel photography is one of the more under-appreciated art forms in general.
Thank you for this fine explanation.
Tony, could you please put my name on the list, http://www.buckswildlifephotography.com/
“BUCK”
I support the post wholeheartedly
Honestly, would we expect our heart surgeon to operate for free ?!
http://www.kcphotography.co.za/
Kim
I agree!
http://annettenaude.photoshelter.com/
Annette
Little story. In my city there’s a tailor/small fashion house that always gets photography for free. The stuff they do is high end and pretty so that why (usually young/just starting) photographers are willing to do it – they get top talent too, not amateur-looking stuff. Great photography from top new local photographers.
Anyway, someone in this small business was getting married and many of the photographers who’d worked for free were also wedding photographers to varying degrees. So you’d expect them to throw a scooby snack to one of their free photographers by giving them, just maybe, a paid wedding gig?
No, what they did was go to an established local professional photographer (that does rather boring photography) who charges proper money.
You see, if you do free work for people, you’re just a fool that does free work. They’ll steal your talent and go away laughing at you. If at some stage they DO happen want a professional they’ll find a real one – it won’t be you, because you work for free.
That’s how it works. Don’t work for free.
Well said.
Could not agree more. I support my entire family with this profession and “credit” will never send my girls to college or help me to retire with dignity. http://www.inhisimagebyjulie.com
Photo credit is always a requirement….paid or not.
The same people that ask for free photos never seem to be able to offer anything for free. The manipulation of demanding photos for free is loathsome.
Excellent article. Which more people would realize that its not just taking a picture but running a company!
Tony, This write-up is an art form on its own. Couldn’t have said it any better.
How do I sign up?
Beautifully put Tony. Thank you.
Robert Babylon
This is spot on.
Well written on how we cannot work for free.
Please add me to the list. Thank you so much
Very well said, thank you for writing this up.
Thanks for doing this! I’m amazed how often this comes up and how misunderstood our position can be.
Real Photogrphers are needed more than ever before.
Every time my work gets asked to be used for free, I will re direct them here. There is no place for a free market in the creative industries, when equipment and living costs are spiraling.
Please also add my name to the list of signatures above. Thanks so much for writing and posting this for us to use!
This is amazing I have come across so many people that ask these questions and give the and answers pure dead brilliant, may I also use this?
Anyone thinking that photography should be free needs to needs to go online and make a list. Price a Canon 5D MK III kit, a Canon EF 100mm to 400mm lens, appropriate lighting, backgrounds, stands, a Manfrotto tripod, Flash, and then Adobe CS6 Photoshop, a computer, and quality printer. Then consider shooting a T.F.P. with an aspiring model with no experience.
Yes their are photographers that shoot model photos for free and they are easy to find but are those the photos you’ll want to submit to V.S. or NY.M.A? I like the idea of M.F.P. much better.
I agree.
Please add my name to the list.
Thank you
Mary Lou
thank you for sharing this. I’m in, please.
Please add our name to the list – Lifetime Reflections Photography – Lucita & Vickie
Please add my name to this list
Liz Arcus – Liz Arcus Photography
Great Post! Sharing it 🙂
You spoke what I wanted to say, thanks a lot for this one and allowing us to share it for free 😛
Vinayak P Menon
[ I did not understand how I could add my name, but if I just have to tell you, please do add my name there 🙂 ]
Please add my name, too.
Thanks, Christoph Schiffer – FOTORAUM
SPOT ON for anyone calling themselves a real professional career photog. Annie Leibovitz wouldn’t work free why should any of we professionals either! In comparison, sandwiches at Subway aren’t free and mortgage isn’t free so KUDOS to you! The Internet has virtually diminished the careers of photographers and we need to reform the digital millenium copyright act immediately! I agree wholeheartedly with every word spoke here! You are one of my hero’s! Superb!
Please add my name to the list.
Charles Buckley
I would be pleased to put my name on the list.
Tom A. Buchanan
Fantastic article. I wish that more people understood that we need to pay our bills too. And it costs a lot more to be a photographer now than it did back in the days of film. It also took less time to do a shoot as you didn’t have to worry about so much post production.
100% agree, adding to my website too.
I feel that the cost of being a photographer is high. Buying and taking care of the high-end cameras, lighting equipment, lenses etc. requires money and that is a pro photographer should never work for free.
“We can’t pay your for your photographs, but we will give you credit in your name for their use’.
“First place I want my name’, I reply.
Is on a cheque.
Everybody deserves payment for their labour. Everybody.
Amen !
Thank you!!! Yes Yes Yes!!!
You might have also mentioned for people to not be insulted if they find we have done one thing for free, but won’t do it for them. Sometimes, an opportunity is different with someone else. I’ve done some things for free, because I felt inclined to do so and knew that it actually would be good for my business, or I may have felt a loyalty and support towards person/business
PLEASE add my name to the list because this rocks, you rock, YES.
Perfectly said !!
It is the most frustrating thing when you have to work for free and get nothing in return….not even professional respect !
Please add my name to the list.
Hey Tony, I am running short of words. All I can say that it is a great post indeed.
Well stated. Thanks.
Perfect. Please add me to the list!
Thanks for sharing this and allowing us to use it, Tony. Muçh appreciated!
Please add me to the list.
good article! Please add me to the list
Well stated. Please add me to the signatory form, if at all possible.
Chelsea Dee Thom
Please add me to the list:
Andrew Itkoff
Wao
The truth!
True!
Last week I had a call from the local newspaper asking to use some of my images from a parade that I shot for the Chamber of Commerce. She was quite emphatic that she would give me credit. I said to her, I already have credit thank you, but you are more than welcome to use my images. That will be $300 for two of them thank you. She said that she’ll try and find some staff images instead. I also asked her when the last time was she gave me free ads in the paper and she replied “That’s against our policy!” Slow learner I guess.
I think this work for free goes to all artists. My old gf was a classically trained professional singer. She would get invited to a party or wedding and was asked to sing without being paid. She always said no. Everyone else from the chef to the bartender, to the florist was getting paid. Why would she work for free? It shows the esteem the arts are held in in our culture.
Amen to that! Please add me to the list!
Please add my name as a signatory. Thank you! – Jim Crotty
please add my name to the list please 🙂 Phyllis Perkins Kempker
EBay Classifieds posting for a photographer,
I feel like doing the job and then saying,….whaa???? you actually want the photos for free as well??? wow you shoulda told me that before.
We’re looking for a photographer to take photos of our relaunch event Saturday, January , New York, NY) from 10pm-close.
There is no compensation, however, we offer our network, which includes- production houses, magazine editors, PR agencies, designers, amongst many other key players in the industry.
Please send over samples of your work or website for consideration!
I get this constantly and you certainly hit the nail on the head. You can add my name to the list! I will share this article link!
*thank you** for this great post! Please add me to this list!
Yep posted it in a few flickr groups for others.
And yep unfortunately ongoing trend. With Getty Images and seen going from 50% commision to 30% now at 20%. And now Google is buying up images for their Google Drive/Docs at $60 a pop $12 to the photographer.
All users of Google Drive/Docs now has access to a large size image they can use and download without any other renumeration to the photographer.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/gettyimagescontributors/discuss/72157632495894503/
Think it’s time to bow out of the whole game and just do self promotion and not rely on photography as a full income replacement anymore.
Had a local newspaper (i checked and they have an average daily run of near 50,000 copies for the area) email me last week saying they loved the pics I took of a local band and could they use them in an article they were doing of the band, they will put my credit next to them.
I told them sure and asked them what is their standard rate for photos used.
Received a reply back today saying they don’t have a budget to pay for all the photos they use, only the important news ones. So they are now going to use an old low quality photo they have which will be enlarged so will be all pixelated.
Please add my name “David Portass” to your list for this amazingly clear piece of writing which I will most likely link people who get the hump about being asked to pay for using my photos.
a really bad experience I had once was I was asked by a friend to photograph a book signing of a person he was helping to promote. after that shoot the book guy really took a liking to one of the photos I took of him. long story short a magazine was featuring him in their magazine and that photo ended up on the front cover. I found out in a round about way. no one ever asked my permission to use it and I had to fight tooth and nail to even get photo credits in the mag. and to top everything off they even spelled my name wrong and they gave photo credits to another guy and didn’t even specify that the cover photo was mine. and of course when I asked my friend if there was any compensation for the photo he said to me “and why do you think you should be paid” ?? feel lucky your photo is on the cover
Firstly I’d say he’s not much of a friend after that, possibly consider not talking to him again if he/she asks for professional favours like that all that’s all you get in response.
Second, if it was recent, find out how many people read the magazine on average, look up on Getty or another stock photo site what the going rate is for a cover photo for that distribution and send an invoice to their accounts department for payment, don’t demand or write anything else other than the date/issue of the magazine and any pages it was featured on and put 30 day payment terms in which usually reasonable. If after that they don’t pay you can go to a small claims court with your original raw files to prove you are the owner of the copyright.
Well written piece and so true-but nicely put. Please add me to the list.
Well worded piece … add me to the list also
Super post! You have a way with words my friend
Couldn’t have put it better myself. No, I really couldn’t! Thank you.
Please add me.
I would like to quote this article on my website. Please include me in the list. Thank you very much for writing this.
I’m wondering what people have to say about times when photographers collaborate with makeup artists, stylists, and models and shoots and seem to vanish into thin air. In those cases when the team is working together to be creative and all have done so without compensation. It seems as if the photographer becomes the gate keeper of the pictures that are not only the result of the artistic talents of them but of the mua, stylist and model working in concert. Its been 4 months since I’ve seen a pic or even heard a peep from a photographer I collaborated with on two shoots. I put in a lot of work and hours as the mua, from recruiting the models to driving for more than 4 hours to location. No word from the photog….any suggestions…comments? Please advise. (I deeply respect the work of photographers and all artists alike, just looking to understand this situation).
That’s inexcusable behavior on the part of the photographer. Suggest you call/email him/her every day. If no response don’t work w/ that person again & spread the word about the neglience.Next time get something in writing.
Thanks Michael. I appreciate the feedback. I’ve sent emails, texts, calls and even fb messages and nothing. I’ll keep on it. Thanls for the advice.
I have to agree… Any photographer who makes a verbal contract and breaks it himself needs shooting… This kinda stuff makes it harder for those of us who aim to expand our portfolio’s with the aid of MUA/Models ETC as a mutual beneficial arrangment makes it harder for the rest of us when they don’t deliver the goods.
If the Tog has the images on his website etc, perhaps threaten a claim if no Model Release was signed etc – and if a model release was signed, surely the terms of the rest of the agreement were in writing too? – IE: “In compensation you recieve a copy of the images”?
Well said, Thanks for putting it together!
great post . . . please add my name as a signatory . . . I’m about ready to pull my hair out right now . . . i googled the subject matter so i could find some sympathy out there . . . actually, the photographs/files are the least time consuming, it’s all the record keeping, contracts to read, sign, scan, and the presentations that amount to a heck of a lot of time. Then you get to feel bad when you have to say no, and they cant figure out why you dont like their cause enough to donate . . . I wish there were a better answer than shooting them a link to this blog post – as good as it is – I need to find a better, more personal way of dealing with it all . . . cheers, thanks again for writing this post . . .
Superb post. Please add me, Lynda Bowyer, as a signatory to this. Thanks!
Please add my name above as a signature..
It’s been hard getting photo work lately because all anyone wants is free photos, or even a “budget” photographer..
That doesn’t pay the bills either..
Thank you..
I think the tremendous problem that exists within the realm of photography is that there are many people who do it as a hobby and completely adore it. You don’t see doctors practicing for “fun”, for example. But in photography the majority of camera owners do it because they enjoy doing it. This creates a false illusion that all photographers should be the same.
Conversely I think that many pro photographers have no understanding of the flip side of this. Many pros actively are angered at ANY photographer that works for free and like to villainize them.
Not everyone WANTS to make their photography into a business. As soon as you start charging money for a service you drastically increase the logistical overhead of maintaining your passion. This is NOT for everyone. There many who don’t want to have to deal with invoicing, taxes, legal, etc in order to partake in the art of photography. Furthermore, as soon as you begin accepting payment for shoots you inevitably must cede much of your creative control to the paying client which can vastly diminish your love of photography.
I think it is important for both sides of this argument to realize that neither side has any right to demand that the other adopt a different method of pursuing their passion.
Next, as an aspiring pro it is completely reasonable and actually strategically sound to work for free. But you MUST do it intelligently. It is MUCH better to offer your services for free than to offer your services for un-sustainably cheap.
Why? Because when working for free you create the expectation that you will not be doing this forever. You are doing it because you WANT to do it and you are gaining something of unmeasurable value by doing so. The market cannot expect you to work for free forever and will eventually accept when you start to charge.
However, if you charge a small amount that is far below what you would need to survive you create a market expectation that this is the value of your work.
Another local Photographer I know employed this strategy, she is very good at what she does but wanted to explode into the market and get a ton of customers so she started off doing headshots for $200 per session. (including editing). If I plug that number into my own business costs calculator (based on the assumption that her costs are similar to mine) she was earning between $11 and $13/hour in salary. This is unsustainable in the city she lives in. However, by the time she realized this and raised her prices she had already become known as the “cheap” photographer around town and when she doubled her prices she halved her customer count. (effectively having no impact on her meagre earnings).
The reality is that until you are proficient enough to be able to charge a professional’s rate than you shouldn’t be charging at all or you risk sabotaging yourself once you do reach that high proficiency.
But, how, and where do we draw the line? It is very annoying to constantly be asked to work for free and it also rarely for a project that YOU want to do. Thus as I rule I would suggest ONLY working for free when you OFFER your service. If someone ASKS you to shoot there should always be a price (assuming you are targeting a career). But you should continually (throughout your ENTIRE career) be doing self assigned shoots that are not lucrative to fuel your creativity. Self assigning a shoot to help a charity or something similar is a very valid option.
Never discount how effective free should be any more than you should never blindly work for free. Both have their place and it is up to you as a photographer and potentially a business person to be able to decide when it is best to choose which path.
Very well written. I saw your post on craigslist and decided to come here. Now a day people always try to take advantage of other people who are getting into the industry or who are students try to get experiences. I saw a lot of ad recruits only non pro people to do the work for free and stuff. It really pisses me off too. There were a few times I did that but then I realize my time is more precious than doing job for free.
Keep up the good work!
Great article. Thank you!
Very well written. A must share document!
Great article, can’t be written ina better way.
Great to see somewhere defending the rights of hardworking photographers everywhere with a a clear unemotional rationale.
Thank you very much for putting this together, great article! In the music photography business, I hear so often the “we’ll give you credit” line. Always gives me a chuckle. You can put on an international arena selling tour, but when you want one of my images because it captures the essence of the artist, you can’t (ie won’t) pay money for it.
What an awesome article, nowadays everybody seems to be a photagrapher. I think that it all starts from the inside out. What is the reason that someone wants to take pictures? Money? Or is it the passion for capturing a moment. Thank you very much for this article.
Great article and it does seem that during these harsh economic times everyone wants to be a photographer to supplement their income. Capturing a moment in time is a skill, not something anyone can do. An image that captures the moment is priceless and will last forever.
I agree with you to 100%.
Please add me to the list!
Amen to this article, I know times can get tough but us photographers gotta eat, too!
I wanna sign as well!
Good job with this article!
I AGREE with you to more than 100 %.
Thanks for this article.
Thank you so much for this post. This is something i think all of us who are passionate about our work can very much relate to. good job on this article. add my name to the list ( i filled in the contact form) Cheers !
Perfectly stated. Thank you!
Please add me to the list.
I’m giving my photography services away for a whole month 🙂 Reason? Well, I urgently need to step my portfolio standard up with work that can compete with others. Freebies are the best way to market yourself, end of! If you blow your client away with a freebie the chances are they will come back and, so to will others depending on the client you have just done the free work for. If you give you time away for free to the right people, it can really open doors. http://facebook.com/danieldytrychphotography.co.uk
Sounds good in theory, not so great in practice. We’ve even hired ‘models’ – eye-catching young men and women we’ve come in contact with in the course of daily life (hairdressers, office assistants, small business owners – even a lawyer) and families with young and good looking kids, in order to build up our website portfolio, practice new techniques and try new or different poses. They have all been working and earning decent incomes, all have active social lives and mix with others with high disposable incomes and many of them came from cultural backgrounds renowned for spending money, especially on family.
When we ask someone to model, we pay $25/hour – for a minimum 2 hour shoot – plus a free 10 x 8″ print. Very, very few have actually purchased any of the images from their shoot – many haven’t even bothered to choose their free print. We had one young man ask us about shooting his modelling portfolio … then never contacted us again. The lawyer raved about how beautiful her photos were and asked if we would travel interstate to photograph her wedding … then told us 6 weeks before the day that she’d booked someone else.
Freebies and giveaways sound like they should work, but can end up being spectacularly unsuccessful because people just don’t value something they get for nothing.
Sorry, I should of said I specialise in Food, so everything I do is using natural light and on location. I don’t have to worry about those kind of expenses, but I completely understand where you are coming from with the ones running studios and lighting.
That mirrors my experience almost exactly. There’s a local phrase here in the north of England “what you get’s worth what you paid for it”.
Substitute the word ‘author’ for the word ‘photographer’ throughout this article and it will apply exactly to the circumstances of the freelance writer.
Thank you. Please add me to the list.
This will help enlighten lots of folks out there.
I definately agree with the above. I do atually do some work for free (and even provide a commission out of my prints) for nurseries / pre-schools etc. However, this is a given which I am sure most photographers do.
Sometimes giving up my time is worthwhile ~(what parent doesn’t wish to buy their childs portrait?) but sometimes it doesn’t seam quite so effective – for the reasons above IE: – Take the photos, then the Post Processing, a DVD containing the images, and your own backup… It’s all good if you can use the image elsewhere though. 🙂
Very well said. Couldn’t agree more!
Finally- Everything I have tried to convey to all parties attempting to get something for nothing.
This is well said – Thank you!
Nicely put, Thank you,for this great article. Please add me to the list!
Very well said. I have been supporting myself as a photographer for over 30 years. I charge good money for what I do, and I make no apologies for it.
Finally!!! to all the “My budget is really low, but you will get exposer” where they belong…! Nicely put, Thank you,for this great article. Please add me to the list!
Yup, I’m with this. Decades in the business, and TBH until digital very few hassles about fees. If a prospect tried to haggle, I politely declined.
The ony people I do free for are family and close friends, and from the latter Iexpect a quid pro quo, even if it is not even close to the monetary worth of the work done.
I’ll link from my site to here.
Please add my name: Rod Fleming
Great article! Thanks for adequately summarizing what I tried to communicate for years to people interested in my work.
I have been struggling to get paid since I first held a camera …
Please add me to the list.
Thank you for your eloquent explanation! Please add me as well!
Please add me to the list, thank you. Great idea and covers all the points elquently.
I totally agree with You Mr. Wu times of change my mind no more pictures for free, my camera don’t survive forever and anythings have a cost in this life. Thanks You Mr.Wu
Yup – add me as well please
I agreed with this article. I was recently asked to volunteer at a conference for a non-profit organization in exchange for free room and board, photo credit and promotion. Getting credit doesn’t pay my bills, not to mention, wear and tear on my equipment and vehicle. So I said no. They told me I did not value the meaning of volunteerism. Ugh? After all the non-photography volunteer time I gave to the organization? Thanks for nothing.
Add me to the list.
Well said. Please add my name as a signatory.
Thank you!
Absolutely true article. Thank you for wording it so perfectly, clearly stating all in one article the bits and pieces of conversations I have had with “requests for free images” for at least 35+ years.
Brilliantly worded. I can’t think of anything else that would make it better. Kudos!
I would love to be added to this list, please.
Best,
Rich Leighton (Leighton Photography & Imaging)
I totally agree, the other thing which irritates me is the bargaining on the cost of the shoot, this has been my experience more in india, where they feel a photograph is like onion in a vegetable shop and cheap, and that the photographer is just a guy with a black box in his hand.
Fantastic reply. I, very much, appreciate your permission to use this when needed. Please add my name to the signatories.
Thank you,
Robert Sullivan
I would love to be added to the list.
Al Thelin
All to often people assume that having access to an instrument that is capable of taking a digital image, makes them a “photographer”. While there may be people who either through diligence, training, practice and yes, luck, create an image or series of images that are photographs, the majority of these people are not what I would call photographers.
Like any profession, there is a wide variance of skills, interests and specialities. While I enjoy taking photos of food (and eating is an enjoyable experience), I would no more call myself a “food photographer” simply because I have taken such photos for an occasional client.
I wish people would give us the same courtesy that are given to other professions.
Thanks
I believe the same thing can be said to those ‘art snobs’ who refuse to accept photography as art. Anyone can pick up a pencil or a paintbrush and make a picture, but that doesn’t make them an artist. Great photography is an art form that demands more than just the ability to pick up a camera and go ‘click’, and it should be respected and valued the same as any other art form.
Thanks for sharing . . and allowing us to share as well!
As Bob Moore said, thanks for sharing and allowing us to share
Pond House Photography concurs with the expressed opinions.
Would that we could do more.
Tony,
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Very well states and I totally support this.
I totally agree. Please add my name to the list. Thanks for the good work.
Excellent article
Please add my name to your list
Thank you for these pearls of wisdom. I’m not very smooth at fielding requests that don’t honor or respect the value of the creative design and photographic services I rely on to try to make a living. This document provides the cool logic I have been trying to relay.
Please do add my name to your list. Thank you again!
Dear Tony,
Please add my name to the list of signatories.
Elfrem Chan
Full Time Photographer/ Business Owner
Elf’s Photography
Thank you for the excellent article.
At one point I had brought my portfolio to an agency that was doing some pharmaceutical account for a possible assignment, the portfolio was there for a couple of days, when I was called back to come and pick it up, the girl at the front desk pointed the book out to me and to my suprise, all the sleeves and pages were spread all over the table without the portfolio case, as well as several pages that were out of the plastic leaves. Looks like they were taken out to be scanned.
I was a bit overwhelmed at this whole scinario. The girl at the front desk told me she knew nothing of it or the content of the portfolio.
I went to AI Friedman and purchase a new one.
Several months latter I was speaking to a friend photographer and he congratulated me for the photo that was in an pharma ad in the Center of a magazine, there was my picture!
To make a story short, three months latter I was compensated well when the judge awarded me with a substantial amount, including my portfolio and all the incomvenience I had gone through.
If I had not spoken to a friend that game me heads up on the ad, I never would have known. These people provably assumed that my work ment something only when they found what they wanted.
Some of these Corporations don’t give one @%&*! about artist, or any other creatives, it’s just what they can take for free and get away with it.
Eloquently put! Thank you!
Thank you for the article. Here in Canada also Corporations think that photography is for free. They think that it does not cost us anything ,since we switched to digital from film and that our creativity is based on point and shoot as many photographs ,and what comes out of it one good picture. They do not realize that we take considerable time in shooting and mastering our craft , as it is our bread and butter and we try to be as perfect as we can. to fulfill the need for our clients request. Please add my name to the list as I agree totally with the article .
Photography is Design (composition) and Problem Solving (technical skills and providing the results set forth between photog and client). A professional photographer spends money and time to hone their skills and purchase/maintain expensive equipment in order to provide a service that has monetary and emotional value to the end user. It is a technical art with personal and commercial value. Don’t be fooled by smart phones and Instagram. I find that this waters down the value of a professional photographer providing professional services that is backed by passion, sacrifice, years of training and a deep commitment to capture special moments for ourselves and our clients. Free work does not pay the bills. There is a cost to living.
This is a good way of maintaining the professionalism between photographer and the client who has doughts on the matter.
Thank you for a simple and well define letter.
Very well said, I totally agree!
I have written this type of letter dozens of times; thank you Tony, for sharing it online.
An integral part of the business of photography is serving others and the vast majority of professional photographers desire to do just that. Our “job” is also our hobby & our passion. When presented with an inequitable offer, our first inclination is to find a way to serve using our talent, even when it represents a loss to us. In the end, giving away the farm will prevent us from being able to do what we love and earn a living from our work.
This is so well written. Thank you for taking the time to put into words what so many of us stumble through when confronted with this attitude. I am a 2nd generation photographer and not nearly as gracious and giving as my mother was. I have donated my time and skills to worthy causes but refuse to be taken advantage of. Since my mother’s passing I have caught a graphic designer who stole one of her most iconic pictures for a band’s album cover which has since been released. When confronted with the fee to in fact license him for its use, he was shocked at the price. Regardless of his pleas I did not waiver in my conviction. I merely told him this is an expensive lesson and allowed him to make monthly payments. I will send him a link to this letter once the attorney has completed the agreement.
Please add me to your list.
Mia Larocque
Excellent, Tony! I, too, am an Ivy Leaguer–Brown ’82 (though I haven’t stayed in many 5-star hotels!). 🙂
This is a challenging area for me…I’m a relatively “new” freelancer, having had my business for 4-1/2 years. One of the biggest struggles I face is how to price my services. This is complicated by the fact that a) this is not my full-time job, and b) my full-time job is in public relations. So, a) I don’t depend on the photography to pay the mortgage, and b) I DO see some value, as a PR person, in offering some (and, in my case, probably too much) of my services for free. While my business has been profitable, I need to do a better job of articulating why I need to charge what I charge–this post is stunningly well said, without the arrogance I read/hear from too many photographers.
Like many photographers who have commented here, I am happy to offer some of my services for free a) because I care about the cause and because I choose to, b) because there is PR value in doing some of the pro bono work. That said, your post gives me more “ammo” to press a bit more assertively for the WIIFM–What’s In It For Me? For example, for the past three years, I’ve been official photog for a mid-Atlantic charity event featuring big-name performers (including Lee Greenwood and The Oak Ridge Boys)…it has been a pleasure to shoot, I’ve built a portfolio that has opened some other doors to paying gigs, and I’ve been able to use these shoots for my PR/promotional “me.” But to date, I’ve received little in return from the nonprofit in terms of thanks and exposure. I’m about to discuss the 2013 concert shoot with their latest new development director, and plan a different approach. Previously, I’ve been counted/registered as a “volunteer” for the event, accompanied by broken/forgotten promises to list me as the official photog in programs, slide shows, etc. This year, I will request that I be granted “sponsor” status, as my time commitment to the event equates to a shoot value of $1,000-$1,500. If they can’t do that, I’ll just have to move on.
Thanks again for this post…I can’t believe I just found it (via LinkedIn alert).
Please add my name to the list.
Roger Baumgarten
Roger That Photography
Mechanicsburg, PA
We agree wholeheartedly, especially the part about “We have no money.” Nonprofits that plead this excuse can usually find someone to fund a photography assignment if they want it badly enough.
Steve Lubetkin
Steve Lubetkin Photography
THANK YOU. It is well-stated and covered everything in great detail. The prose was done most elegantly and I will keep this bookmarked as I get requests all the time. I have often just said that I was “too busy” or not available because I didn’t feel I could communicate the correct tone. I recently replied that doing free work is degrading to me and the profession and I never heard back from that colleague. I wish I had your well thought out reply at that time. Thank you again for sharing this with the professional photographic community.
I agree with the entire article. I have stopped providing any photographs for any group for any reason. And I will use this as a basis to refuse future requests. Very well written. Please add me to the list.
I support all said above. Free is not a professionals word to use.
Artists deserve to make a living, so set your prices and maintain a standard.
Guard what you say and don’t reward every mundane thing students do. By reading this article, you, too, can learn how to channel their powers of persuasion and negotiation.
My sentiments exactly. In relation to time being in short supply, if you could get the statement down to one page or less, then people would be more likely to read it!
I whole-heartedly agree add me in !
Thanks for creating this.
I do not take out my camera unless i am being paid
i totally agree
For professional photographers, photography is their livelihood and therefore it is not suitable for them to work for free. We must co-operate with them in this context. Thanks.
This is so true and very well said. Please add me too.
One of my regular customers is a charity and even they appreciate that we too need to pay bills. Often it’s the bigger cash rich corporations that ‘have no budget’. Please add me to the list.
The charities and not-for-profits understand, because they’re often in a similar position – various costs and overheads that don’t go away when there’s no ‘donations’ coming in.
I own a small PR firm that employs four people including myself. I provided a very generous array of three proposals at different price points with different scopes of work to a local nonprofit organization with an annual budget exceeding $4 million. In return, they came back with their own scope of work with a market value of $10,000 — even at our nonprofit rate — which is 2/3 of our business rate. And they want to pay $2,000 or less. We were happy to have them as a client in fiscal 2013, but there seems to be no recognition that I have to pay my people, and that they depend on me to put roofs over their heads and food on their tables. Their time is not fungible! If this nonprofit continues to be unreasonable, I will have to (sadly) walk away in the politest way possible. And you are right — it *is* insulting to be offered 1/5 of market value — at our discounted rates — when we seek to be kind to them and charge 1/2 our customary fee for the scope of work they are requesting ($5,000 for one year’s service). It’s truly unfortunate and gives all nonprofits a black eye. It insults my company and makes this nonprofit look greedy. I wonder how many other professionals they have treated in this manner and the perception it has created for other nonprofits in the area.
100% agree, people need to understand we pay our bills too. Please add me to the list.
Count me in as well. This is really helpful.
…..and that’s the ball game folks !!! Well said !!
Yes. Exactly. I average a couple of requests for free work a month, sometimes more. This is perfect. Thanks. Cheers- Lloyd Wolf http://www.lloydwolf.com
Awesome! Please add my name to the list.
Dennis King
Yes, this is exactly whats in my mind. Hopefully it helps. Please add my name to the list http://www.mentel.nl/bruidsfotografie.php Marc de Jong
Perfectly said! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve offered my expertise for free entry to an event and for photo credit to get my name out there, and they still want me to pay to get in and give them digital access to the photos. Please add me to your list …
brilliant, thank you! I get weekly requests. it’s exhausting!
please add my name to the list.
Thank you! Very exactly! I agree. Please add my name to the list.
i agree..am a professional photojournalist working in kenya…i find it very difficult when i hear people telling me to ’email me the pictures please’ making me feel a if i work for charity….i don’t give images for free…thanks for the article i have enjoyed it
Nicely written. Please add me to the list
Excellently said. Please add me to your list.
Perfect, Thank you!
I agree. Please add my name to the list of signatories.
I have just been asked to shoot some promo/ press shots for a record label in London. The guy said to me that “are you expecting cash for this because we have “photographers” that will do it for free and we might use them, I have however said you are the man”. I thought so do you want me to do it because I am “the man” or do you want these other people to shoot it because they’ll do it for free. I have also been working/ assisting one of the music industries biggest photographers for the last year or so, I wont mention his name, I think it would be unfair to do so, however he told me recently that he was approached by either a label, band or publication, I cant remember which asking him to shoot for them, however they could only offer x amount of £’s because they had two other guys available that have already agreed to do it for that. So if he wasn’t able to do it for that amount they would just use the others.. that’s 25 years of career building and dedication for you, to build up your rep, your style etc. What a FUCKING insult!
add my name please and great article!!
nothing else to say……you all before me have summed it up very succinctly. Please add my name to your long list & thank you for creating this explanation of what people know in their hearts, but somehow have forgotten along the way.
well put……my friend.
Nice opinion piece about this topic in the NY Times
Please add me to the list of signatures above. I’ll be posting this on my facebook page, blog and course shell for my basic digital photography course taught for Colorado Mountain College’s Isaacson School for New Media. Thanks for the effort.
Excellent work. Thanks, Tony. Please add me to the list.
Great article and so so true – I found myself nodding and grunting in agreement whilst reading it!
Couldn’t say it better myself! Please add me to the list of signatories!
Perfect. Add me Please.
Totaly agree. Add me too. Regards.
This blog post is everything. Thank you so much! Please add me to the list! Thanks again!!
I often hear frustrated stories from young photographer wannabe’s who occasionally take classes and workshops I teach and employ the “give it away while I’m building my portfolio and looking for exposures” strategy to starting their careers.
They often find that people who “worked” with them, when they weren’t charging, suddenly switch to more established photographers when the newbie decides he/she wants to get compensated. At times the “clients: just move on to find another newbie willing to give it away.
The bottom line is it is rare that the loyalty of their “clients” extend beyond the free work they are willing to use. In addition rarely does someone who is unwilling to pay you for your services truly a good advocate for your business.
I like to explain it like this:.
Take lots of great photos of trains, you will get jobs taking more photos of trains.
Take lots of great photos of boats, you will get jobs taking more photos of boats.
Take lots of free photos…………………..
Just my 2 cents
i’d add that copyright free wedding photography has haemorrhaged revenue and the now you get “Can we add Instagram Effects”. We need to unite and educate clients that print is king. digital pics just sit on hardrives 😦
Added the link to my Blog (Thanks!) …Feel free to add me to the list.
http://www.40by20.com/2013/01/02/photo-credits-the-new-world-currency/
Love the article! Can’t wait to refer “no budget” clients here.
Spot on there, add me please!
awesome Tony, thanks so much
Slightly different, but related topic:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/22/us-media-copyright-twitter-idUSBRE9AL16F20131122
What a brilliantly worded and balanced article. Would be very grateful if you could add me to this list.
Thank you for a very interesting article which rings true with a lot of our experiences…
On a positive note a few weeks back we supplied some wedding images to a London local authority to use in an advert for which they were going to give us a credit. The contact went on holiday as the advert was being finalised – our credit didn’t appear on the advert but the contact informed us, appologised and gave us two free advertising slots.
So some people do care, which is refreshing.
Thanks for this. It was eloquently and respectfully written. It made my day. Sign me up.
Thanks so much for this piece. It sums up everything that needs to be said, and in a very polite manner, too. Please add my name to the signatories.
I also agree..please add my name….God bless you…
This is such a fantastic write up for something we constantly battle with in our industry. Please can you add my name to the list.
Brilliant! add my name
What annoys me the most is when people say “Bring your camera and do your thing..” or “Can you bring your camera and just snap a few shots.” Excuse me I dont “snap” I take professional photographs one frame at a time! These people wont just come and help you with post production or even market your business for the length of time you put in to just “snapping a few shots” Sorry for the rant but it really gets my goat!
Excellent article, well phrased and presented, much better said than the slighted emotions we feel having to state this to customers. Thank you.
Please add my name to the list!
Please add my name to the list!
Could you please add me to the list also!
Please add my name to the list. Guy Nowell (Photographer) http://www.guynowell.com
I agrre, add my name on the list!
Niceeeee ! please add me too
I agre,e please add me too. Scott Smith
Could not be more right.
Please add me to the list.
Amen. Please add me too.
Thank you for this. Please include me in the signatories.
dear author,
can you please update few more which is
“if you are asking for discounts”
“if you are saying why is our so expensive compared to others who can give a much more lower price”
thank you
Thank you for this well written explanation. I am adding and linking this to my new, still under development, website. please add my name to the list.
Well written! Please add me to the list.
Well written, and well said, thank you! Please add me to the list.
Please add me,
http://dan-hutton.weebly.com/photos-for-free.html
Thanks
Well done, I think this is excellent 🙂
Perfectly put and thanks! Please add me to the list.
Excellent! Thank you, Tony Wu!
I still regularly receive requests from individuals, companies and charities to use my photos free of charge. We must continue to educate people as to why it is not sustainable.
I could not have agreed with you more. A very well written article. Of all the vendors the average photographer more often than not tends to get among the rawest deals.
Superb job Tony. Thank you so much for putting in words what is sometimes the absolute hardest to articulate, especially when one becomes frustrated with this sort of scenario very often.
Definitely put me as a signatory.
Best Regards,
Steven Hodge
I approve this message.
Well said. Please add my name to the list. Thanks.
Well said.
I would like to add my name to this list,
My name is NOT Maniac57.
It is Mark Bolles
Agreed, Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Tony Wu for Writing This! It will come in very handy, many times, I’m sure. 😉
Robert J. Piangozza Photography
http://www.RJPphotos.com
Please add me to your list. Thank you!
Great article! Please add me to the list! Julie E. Hedges, JE Hedges Photography, Columbus, Georgia, http://www.JEHedges.com
Thank you so much for this article, I have now shared it on my website. ~Tricia {Castles N Crowns Fairy Tale Photography} FairyTalePhotoArt.com
An eye-opener for everyone who belittles photographers or Photography as a profession.
Kudos to sir Tony Wu for this wonderful article!
#RESPECT our #PASSION
What a great article Tony Wu, thanks so much for it. I certainly will keep this site bookmarked and will mention it on my website as well. I had so many requests for free images, if not for free than people started bargaining with the prices very much! Giving credit, oh well…etc. Had nearly all so far.
Many thanks again for this great article
Best Regards
Anette Mossbacher
A very interesting read. I am currently starting up as a part time photographer and will be writing a post about free photography shortly. Will include a link to this if you don’t mind.
thank you please add me Tomitheos http://www.tomitheos.com/
Please can I be added to the list – Chris Sansom – http://www.sansomphotography.co.uk
Thank you so much for putting this together, it is a very well-reasoned response that I’m sure will be a great help to many frustrated photographers! Could you please add my name to the list.
many thanks,
Alison
http://www.alisonwhitephotography.co.uk
Love this, and would also love to be added to the list. Marlene Palamarek
Well written… now just need some people to read it and understand. Thanks, please add my name to the list.
Maurice
Thank you for this! Could you add me to the list? Alexander Chesham
Kind regards
Thank you.. Great article.. Could you please add my name.. Hulya Yamanoglu – Best regards
Brilliant article. Too the point. Please add me to the list.
Ditto! Please add my name!
Paul Burdick Sports Images
Well written as well as a great idea. Thank you.
An excellent concise blog explaining the key issues in running a successful photography business.
well written
goed artikel / nice article
Great article and I agre. Please add me to the list.
Thank you for writing this article and standing up for those who cannot express this enough. Hopefully the masses will take the time to read it!
What a great letter. Not too long ago I wrote a complimentary document:
BARE MINIMUM FIXED EXPENSES:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tz7vnFPMhFJpgjrGkYUd58wQMc8EgEBOP4pHsY_Iz4o/edit
Thank you for providing an easier way to explain (ln detail) to some people and/or organizations, why we cannot work for free. Breath of fresh Air! Please ad my name to your list
Very informative.
So true. Please add my name to your list.
I recently had my photographs compared to family recipes “that should be shared with everyone for nothing (no compensation)” It is heartbreaking as an artist and a photographer that my work cannot be respected. In most cases it is just because I asked someone to sign a “licence agreement” which means they use it for free for whatever the particular publication is etc but cannot “have” the image. You would not believe the backlash I have had just from that. Please add my name to your list.
Amen – A wonderful blog
Very true.
Right on
Thanks a lot, I just gave this link to some one who wanted photos for free, he was so pissed off reading this , so that he later came to abuse me.. Lol..
Please post my name to the list if possible.. Thanks again.
Well, that probably means that person would not have been someone you want to have a working relationship with!
Well done! Please add e to the list of signatories.
Thanks for this exceptional summary. This is an issue I struggle with continually and will make use of this document to help explain the issues we face.
I’m new to photography… And I’m trying to get clients… And many of them state these objectives… I really appreciate this… Add my name.
Terrifically well-written. Thank you for taking the time and using your eloquence to express what so many of us feel on a regular basis. Please add my name to the list of signatories.
Haha good story!
Great post – well written. Thank you.
Please add me to the list – Simone de la Espriella
Agreed!
add me in the list
PLease Add me. Mark Loundy
Please add my signature Deirdre Ryan http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com thanks!
I Certainly Agree… – please Add me. Thomas http://www.H2OFoto.de
I Agree! add me up – Robbie oca
Well said!
YESSS!!!! Using this every time this comes up!
I Agree
Well said! I wish all my future commercial clients would read this…
Thank you for your time and effort! Please add me to your list.
Such a great article to pass on to each person wanting to launch a photography career before they go out and spoil a portion of the market. Professional Photography is a business and as any business, there are tules to follow if anyone wishes to make it. Break the rules and live the consequences of loosing that passion that got you to love image making in the first place. I’ve seen too many extraordinary talents loose it over the years.
Excellent piece and I’m sure is used a lot to help educate both photographers and those wanting images for free.
Please add me to the list.
Andy Brain
Nice article, but not realistic.
My previous discussion of this topic…
Brilliant article. Hope everyone values good professional photographers. Ying from http://www.caterhamphotography.com/
Yes.
Thanks a lot. Very useful these days, please add me:
http://www.marjilang.com
Thank you so much for providing this handy response. I will use this in the future. If you would be so kind to add me to the list, I’d appreciate it.
The sad story that never ends. I have inquires from all walks of life – businesses, government, Universities, and run of the mill people. I’d like to say there is an answer though too often there are enough photographers out that will feed the myth that we do this because it is our passion (rightfully so) but that we enjoy sharing for free. Not true!
http://www.briankrecik.com
Pictures are now too easy to produce, but thank you for this ray of hope nevertheless.
Sadly the issue is endemic across the arts and this is an excellent idea which visual artists should think about adopting – publicly funded galleries often don’t pay artists fairly (or at all) for their work. If you can, please support the Paying Artists campaign – http://www.payingartists.org.uk/signup/
Great article
Funny, though sad because it’s so true http://theoatmeal.com/comics/exposure
Funny video to address this topic:
http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/watch-people-other-industries-react-hilariously-being-asked-free-spec-work-167945
Fantastic article, would you please add me to the list thank you.
Great article!
Great and to the point..Please add me
How do I sign this?
Please sign me up … Lori Carpenter.
Please add me! Thanks much. Melissa Groo
This makes a lot of sense … will use this when we get asked for free pics 🙂
Happy to be on this list:
Andreas Weiss http://www.freshphotography.com.au
Thank you, Tony, indeed yes add me.I’ve been a proponent of fair pricing for 20 years and am glad to see a public letter such as this.
Excellent I agree with every word
Happy be be associated with this text (which is excellent by the way). Please add my name to the list
Michael Preston – Creative19
A terrific resource, thank you! Please add my name to the list: Leslie Goodwin
Yes, I agree
I wholeheartedly agree. This is excellent! Thank you so much fro writing it and allowing usage. Please add my name to your list.
Agree. Please add me to the list.
Regards
You have a wonderful way with words Tony. Please add me to your list.
ITs a big yes. Just because I am an artist does not mean I work for free!
Good read. Add me to the list please!
Absolutely agree. This is a well thought out response. I no longer do weddings and charge for my Landscape work. However I’ve recently started building my portrait portfolio and as such I’ve been giving free work (no prints, Internet-ready images only) but the day is fast coming when I am going to start charging. That’s been the reason I sought for an article just like this to explain my position.
I’ll be directing people to read it 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to put it together!
I don’t think any professional could disagree with this.
Can my name be added to the list?
It’s Tim Manders. Thanks!
I agree. Thank you for saying what I often dare not say. Please add my name to the list. It’s Lee Karen Stow.
Please add me to the List
Although I can appreciate the justifications related to the average rates photographers charge for their work, I’ve been getting $150/hr as a standard fee, and I think that is a bit over-the-top for photographers that aren’t even set up as legit businesses with BIN and GST numbers.
Many of the photographers I’ve come across are self-taught and do not make their living as photographers – getting paid for photoshoots (as an example) is their side hustle and although it may be their goal to be able to rely soley on their photography for an income, most are not investing the time and money into said endeavor in the way they would like their clients too.
$150/hr is more than what most average people make on a daily basis. Even some specialists don’t make that kind of money per hour. In addition, unlike paying a financial investor (who actually studied and earned certifications in things like mutual funds, stocks and bonds, etc) and who can help a client make a return on their financial constributions, with the average photographer, that’s not the case. Most average photographers are taking pictures for people that are for memory sake (ie: weddings). Although the exception is for models/actors/performers (wherein said photos can be used to help land big gigs that could bring in more money), however, said clients and possibilities are not immediately known upfront. And, as a result, IF a photographer charges a certain rate because they factor this possibility in, I believe they should wait to see if that manifestation occurs before asking for top dollar.
That aside, photographers take multiple shots throughout a shoot and most pics are not used or usable. And those that are have to edited and sometimes clients can do the editing themselves. This, as well, should be factored into the fees photographers charge.
And, although I know photography and editing equipment and software is expensive, once those things are bought and are being used, how many times can (or should) clients have to responsible for the cost of these things?
In other words, if a photographer owns their camera and related softwaware (which they purchase typically once), after a series of client bookings, do said photographers not make back their money and thus can stop using these costs as a way to justify their fees?
I am a big art lover and photographer is a wonderful professional and photos are treasured art pieces. I also recognize the time, talent, and patience of photographers and believe they should be paid for their work. HOwever, some of the quotes for 1hr of work have really had me leaning back feeling that (perhaps) the high rates per hour are due to limited bookings (low demand) rather than the things listed in this article.
I believe a decent rate for a 1/hr photosession can be an easy $50/hr or a rate based on how many usuable pictures come out of the shoot. Charge extra for editing but give the client the option to pay for that as an extra service. Additionally, I believe if a photographer doesn’t have a website, business account, and GST number, I don’t think they should charge a rate that those who do charge. Photographers who have their businesses set up operate claim part of their income from client bookings and either pay the government a portion of said fees (if they make a certain amount) or get some tax breaks. Those who charnge $150/hr and don’t have accounts set up pocket the whole thing and are falling under the radar of the government (as a business) and thus are not operating ethically and by principal, so why then charge a standard rate or hold to the idea that they cannot work for less wherein they are cutting corners so they don’t have to share their income with the government?
If a photographer wants to charge $150-200/hr, I want the majority of the photos to be usable (quality), and I want to see a return on my investment, and I want the photographer to issue me a receipt and show me a business account, website, a credible education record that highlights they’ve studied in the field for at least 1yr, I want to see receipts for their equipment, the purchasing license of their editing software, and I also want to see that they have a minimum of 3 photoshoots a week at that rate (and thier lifestyle needs to reflect this – because if someone is making $150/hr, that means they are living as middle-upperclass if their business/skills are like that).
Otherwise, charge me $50/hr and let’s be real with each other and recognize that photography is just a side hustle for them and charging anything more than is just them trying to get over.
Nia, your comment on photographer’s rates and credibility is irrelevant to this topic which is clearly stated on the title at the very top: Reasons Why Professional Photographers Cannot Work for ‘Free’
Hi Mark…yes…excuse my not sticking to the topic. I was more so compelled to leave a comment because some of the justifications of why “photographers cannot work for free” mirror the ones I’ve heard photographers use to justify their rates (ie: the cost of equipment and photoediting software).
If one chooses to go into business, that requires them to purchase certain equipment and software, I believe they should obsorb the cost of that and anything they make through their work is chalked up to “profit” and (of course) leaves the business owner feeling like they made back money they invested into said business.
That aligns with the idea(l) that businesses need start up money and benefit from such as they do not rely on their customers/clients to pay for supplies they knew they’d need from jump.
Additionally, most photographers already have their supplies or equipment and I’m guessing many had them before they decided to try and make a business out of their photography work. Why would (or should) their future clients be responsible for indirectly paying for said supplies or equipment?
All that aside, of course businesses need to earn money to succeed so it’s a no-brainer that photographers cannot “work for free”. However, I think this conversation leans into how much a photographer can/should/decides to charge for their work. And, of course, this varies as there are photographeres who do free shoots and give discounts (like other entrepreneurs).
Even major corporations do “free” work; corporate and community responsibility (in spite of overhead costs) take place on a daily basis.
That aside, I constantly read posts by photographers saying they are offended or upset when people ask them or assume they can/will “work for free”. I do not believe someone should ask for free shoots, however, I do believe there can be a middle ground considering most shoot rates seem inflated when you factor in a number of things (ie: credentials, business numbers, etc).
Imagine applying for work, and wanting to be paid in a top tier grade, and you had no credentials, no social security number, didn’t file taxes, and your income has never filtered through a bank?
Perhaps a countering article can be made “Reasons clients should not pay be asked to pay upward of $150/hr to photographers for a photoshoot”.
By the time a person pays for 2-3 photoshoots, at this rate, they might as well go buy their own camera, watch a few Youtube videos, and take their own pictures (or ask a friend/relative to do so with some guidance).
Just my thoughts. And I do appreciate coming across this article. Although I deviated from the original topic. I do not believe photographers (or anyone) should work for free. However, I believe asking rates for service/products related to photography work needs to be reconsidered.
Thanks for your post/comment.
Nia, you are off topic and your apology is irrelevant your comments and/or assumptions about photographers in general do not belong in this forum.
When nabiscos operating costs go up you pay it. Either in higher prices or in less contents. All business follow that simple practice. It’s basic business economics.
Actually there is a good way to factor your experience into your rates. The method is to use a percentage of market rates t and align it with your experience level. The current method for determining market rates is to use fotoquote or an equivalent. So 70% to 125 % with 70 marking your entry level photography. Regardless of your established as a business or just starting out,… Percentage of market rate is an ideal method to make sure you are inside a range and not comically underpriced.
Also no business is in the practice of providing you receipts et al,,,, you can want a photographer to do that all you want but it’s an unreasonable request and only a fool would honor it.
Mark…I didn’t offer an apology for anything – doing so would imply I intentionally did something wrong.
This is a public forum and I explained my reason for my comments (even if they didn’t fully align with the topic).
Have a great day. 🙂
not fully aligned with a topic is wrong but you are clearly an idiot that likes to rant
Found a few typos, but all-in-all this is a great article and one that I will use when appropriate.
The most common response we hear in this field after explaining why we cannot work for free (or very cheap) is, “…wow, I did not realize there is so much involved – I thought you would just bring in a camera and a flash and give me the finals the next day…”
Clients rarely see/know the amount of work that goes into each photo session (especially a commercial shoot)… Things like the initial time it takes to market, talk to the potential client, create the bid/estimate, scouting, hiring the support staff (assistant(s), stylist(s), catering, etc..), coordinating the logistics on the day of the shoot, editing the work, posting proofs for the client, editing the final choices, delivering the final image(s), and of course the overhead of the studio space and employees, professional gear, and professional software that must now be updated and renewed every year or two. So when we charge hundreds of dollars per hour on the day of the shoot, it must cover “many other aspects” of the shoot.
I also understand that new photographers should charge less – but they should not be bidding on bigger jobs that are out of their league. This only weakens the market and when they try to raise their rates as their experience grows, they find that now they are being undercut with the “Wallmart mantality” where cheaper is just as good so why pay full price when you can just settle on a non-pro to do the job.
In short, the client does not work for free so neither should the photographer – especially when the client is making money on the image(s) that the photographer created.
Please add my name to this list.
I do completely agree, it is very useful. Please add me to the list. Thank you!
I am a retired professional photographer and I wanted to give away for free my work which includes John’s Grill in San Francisco but no web sites will allow this. That is disgusting to all the above, seeing that in 50 years your work will vanish and nobody will see those beautiful shots. I am going to start a free web site for photography. Downloads and uploads. I will call it photopedia or something 1-5-17. Theon Scordelis Zone Studios/Little San Francisco Productions/a.t.photo/ good luck in life!
100% Somehow I thought I was the only one dealing with the freeloaders 🙄. Thank goodness for the good clients 🙏🏻❤️️.
I have shared this to my company website.. with all the credit and signatories attached… this is an awesomely written piece .. thank you .. please add my name x
Totally agree!
Tony, thank you for making the time to articulate this, helping to photographers to inform their clients. Much appreciated.
It’s understandable for clients to be ignorant of behind-the-scenes costs (this applies to any industry, although in industries where similar tools of the trade are widely used by the general population—in this case cameras—it is natural to assume that things are about as cheap and simple for the pro as for the casual user), but while photographers might know that there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye, they themselves often don’t realise the full extent of their business costs (let alone their creative value) and so naively acquiesce to requests for lower rates or freebies—in effect paying clients to work for them, instead of the other way round.
I came to fully realise and appreciate the financial value of my photographic service when I read an immensely useful book and website titled “Exposed – The Business Of Photography” by Deryck van Steenderen (website at http://exposed.co.za), which explains the financial aspects of a photographic business for photographers. It helped me to work out what to charge by detailing all overhead expenses (many I hadn’t even realised) and dividing that into the number of photo shoots it’s possible to do in a month. (Considering the time required for pre- and post-production, client liaison, admin, travel, etc., for every hour of photographing there is often 4 to 8 hours of behind-the-scenes work, which needs to be charged for but is often overlooked.)
I now still do pro-bono work and provide images for causes that I wish to help, but I am selective, I say no if I cannot afford to donate more of my time or energy, and I also make sure that they are aware of the value of my donation.
Perhaps this will help some of the other photographers who are puzzled as to why they are working long hours, being praised for their work, yet barely making ends meet.
Great statement, thank you for this evaluation. I will gladly add to my page and share it with customers. Please add my name to the list as well. I totally underline your words one by one.
I have just shared this page with a customer offering credit in place of fees and will continue to do so each time it occurs.Please add my name to this list.
I would also like to be added. Thank you for this comprehensive article.
Please add my name. Thanks & regards.
Please add my name to this excellent article,
Steven Sakic
Thanks so much for such a great article please add my name
Daisy Gilardini
Great article. Please add my name. Steve Ray http://www.therays.ca
Hi Tony
Sadly I have to use this again!!!! It’s always though to have your words to refer people back to. You put it so well.
I don’t think my name is here. Can you please add it.
Thanks a million
Julia Sumerling
This sums up what so many of us have felt for a long time. Please add my name:
Annie Green-Armytage
Thank you.
Would you mind adding my signature/name to this list as well?
Hi, Excellent article! Can you please add my name to this list? 🙂
Thank you
Linda Hewell
Add me and my photography business, please! I’m the owner and photographer of 2 Brides Photography. https://2brides.se
Excellent article, can you please add me to your list https://www.chrisbottrellphotography.co.uk
Thank you for the great article. I would appreciate to be added to the signing list. Giancarlo Marino https://giancarlomarino.com
A fantastic and well-written article. Sadly as photographers, we see this all too often.
Steve Burton
http://www.smartpicsuk.com
I agree with this! Some one recently said “you should share your art with everyone for nothing (no compensation)” It is so frustrating as an artist that people still refuse to respect my work. More often than not its due to the fact that I made someone sign a “license agreement”. You would be surprised how crazy people think that is. This is something that is common in many other art forms. Movies, music, you name it! Please add my name to your list.
Great article – please add me to the list!
Writing isn’t free either … but apparently now Chat GPT can just take everyone’s work (including photography posted online) and use it to churn out “new” works