The "Working For Free" Trap

In the last year I have bid on jobs in my area, (I am a full-time working Professional Photographer). At least that's what my CPA and the IRS say. I would call a few days later to follow up on the status of the job only to find out someone is doing it for half the price or worse yet for free. I would see what they shot displayed on their web site or blog only to think, they got what they paid for.

Before I start into this, let me say that I do, selectively donate my time and services to worthy causes of my choosing. I always ask those inquiring about services whether they are a volunteer or a paid employee. Their answer weighs heavily on the reply I give them. I was recently sent an e-mail in which a museum is asking for high quality images of the masks which will be displayed. Having worked in the museum field for 10 years I have a very good understanding of what it takes handling objects and (lighting wise) to photograph objects. Many of those wanting to be photographers will jump at the opportunity to have their name in lights, on a brochure or in an add so they can tell all their friends they are a photographer.  These are traps which unsuspecting newbies too often fall for. At the bottom of the first paragraph, the last sentence talks about a "further offer" to be discussed for a gala event. I wondered, what does that mean?

Photographing/cataloging 150 objects is a great deal of work! Will there be assistants there to help? This and other questions are always to be discussed.   

A GREAT RESOURCE for working photographers and those wanting to work in the photographic field is the book: BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS by John Harrington I highly recommend anyone, whether having been in business for years or just starting out buy and read this book. It is full of valuable information which is priceless.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Business-Practices-Photographers-Second/dp/1435454294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1285940254&sr=1-1


John dedicates an entire chapter (26) on giving back. But he also states in an earlier chapter, "If Everyone Hiring You Is Paid A Salary, Shouldn't You Be Too?" 

Here is the e-mail in full:

Hello!

The Museum of Art is looking for a photographer to take photos of the 2011 Masks entries. While we are unable to pay for this service, it is an opportunity to give to the museum and have your work recognized during the month-long Masks exhibition. The photographer will receive logo and/or name recognition on all printed matter for the event. A further offer concerning the gala event on Saturday, April 30, 2011 will be discussed with the chosen photographer.

Here’s the scoop to date:

1.        The date of the photo shoot is Monday, December 13, 2010

2.        The time is from 10 am to whenever all photos are taken, usually about 3 pm (with a break for lunch)

3.        There will be approximately 150 masks to photograph in varying sizes. The photographer should have experience in photographing art or objects.

4.        The photo shoot takes place in the museum’s Loft Gallery where the lighting is mixture of natural and fluorescent, it would be best for the photographer to have their own lighting equipment.

5.        The photographer should have a camera with a macro setting and the ability to capture 300 dpi, raw images.

6.        The photographer will submit all images to the museum within one week of the photo shoot

 

If you are a photographer or you know of a photographer that would be interested in this opportunity, please call me at 970-482-2787or respond to this email.

 

Please pass this email on to anyone that you think would like to be involved.

 

Thank you!

Gloria Boresen

Business Manager

Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art

970-482-2787

Fax 970-482-0804

www.fcmoca.org

Myth, Object and the Animal,  August 5 – November 6, 2010

Primordial Forces, August 5 – October 15, 2010

In the age of Digital Photography where everyone with a prosumer big box store camera calls themselves a photographer, working professionals find themselves with more challenges to make their living, pay their bills and feed their families. I hope to offer education not only to working photographers useful information, but those who really need a greater understanding on how negatively working for free impacts our industry as a whole...

I called to find out more information about this job. I also asked what the gala event was about they had planned in April. I was told that they are not even sure it will happen but if it does, you can cover that event for free too. I wish them luck. The digital revolution is a double edged sword which can cut both ways where there can be fewer true professionals and much more poor quality work because no one can compete against free and less than minimum wage, to use the term loosely, photographers.

So you're a phtographer too...

FOOD FOR THOUGHT... I had a person come up to me after seeing the lettering on my truck and say, "so your a photographer too." Anymore, I just cringe when I hear some tell me that. I asked this person what subject matter they shot. The response, maternity and newborns, mostly outdoors, which for me translated into, I am clueless about lighting. I also asked if is she was a member of the CPP or the PPA? This persons response, "I'm not a member of anything, but I guess I should look into joining a group" 

What I thought about was a post another working professional photographer posted on his site about these kinds of and I use this term loosely, "professionals."

Where I live, the "professionals" are crawling out of the cracks in the sidewalks in droves.

The best I can do is try and educate one client at a time, about the importance of hiring a true professional to do the work. One who has years of experience, who either went to school, apprenticed with a real working professional photographer for at least 3 years or an equivalent of schools, workshops and experience. 

This is from Ryan-Persona Studio's Facebook post.

From the MCP Actions Blog/e newsletter this morning:

Pricing Photography: How high should you be prices be?

Last week I ran across a photographer online who listed her prices in the sidebar of her blog/website. Her bio indicated that she was a “professional photographer” which of course is often used loosely in 2010. She said she had 5 years of experience shooting weddings, portraits and pets. In my opinion, her work did not appear to compete with many professional photographers I see daily. Her prices: $60 for all your photos from a portrait photography session on a disk. The print prices were extremely low. And that fee of $60 included the photo session too. I not only questioned how this might lower the bar for photography as a whole, but how she could make a living. Then again… maybe she is not earning an income from photography. She may be doing this as a “hobby” and just want gas money. She also may not be a legitimate business. And she may not be paying taxes. There are so many variables. I decided to post about this discovery on my Facebook Page thread. And the emotions, opinions and questions stirred. I know pricing is ultra controversial amongst professional photographers. Some photographers develop their prices based on what they want to make in a year, figuring in expenses, taxes, and other costs. Many photographers start out unsure what to charge. These photographers may pick numbers out of thin air. Many photographers research what other photographers in their area charge, and build pricing based on those numbers. I would love to get a dialog going here on the MCP Blog answering these questions in the comment section:
Do you consider yourself a professional photographer?
How to you determine your pricing?
Do you feel you are priced too low? high? or just right?
Do you price yourself based on others around you?
Based on your experience?
Or based on what you want to earn?
How does it make you feel when you see someone charging $60 for all photos on a disc, including the photo shoot?

Here is the entire article and it is a great read: http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/12/how-should-i-price-my-photography-words-of-advice-from-jodie-otte/

I get many calls from people who want prints by the pound, or all the raw files because "they know how to use Photoshop." It's amazing the mindset the digital age has produced. 

Alice/Black City Magazine

Alice contacted me after finding my website. We did this shoot for her to upload to
blackcitymag.com. She is great to work with. Modeling goes much deeper than looks alone. I've always found it difficult to put in words, what potential and successful models have that makes them what they are. The years I owned and operated a high volume portrait studio, shooting between 2700 to 3400 sessions a year, averaging 15,200 people, I found between 9-12 had what takes to become a successful model. Those who would actually find work in places like New York and L.A. I started by assisting a friend who has an agency in New York back in 1987-89. Much of my foundation came from those 2 years. Alice is someone who could do well by working her way into this field.

We shot on a couple different days with a variety of outfits and backdrops. I've put up a few here as examples. Alice has a great look and camera presence. Her look draws you in. She was very easy to work with and things clicked very early on. Working with someone you've never worked before is like a new friendship, there is always an awkwardness. That's just human nature. But like life, you adapt, laugh a little and do your best to bring out the best in each other. The camera is only 5% of the whole process when working with people. The 95% is the connection with your subject or subjects. Gaining experience in the field of modeling is also a large part of be successful. Doing TFCD or TFP (time for CD or time for prints) is a great way to start building a portfolio.
Make sure whatever photographer you work with has experience in the modeling/fashion/print industry if you want strong images for your portfolio. While photographers might have strong portrait work, they might not be the best choice for a portfolio.  

I hear "I want to be a model" often. The first thing I ask is "why do you want to model and what type of modeling are you interested in." There are several choices when it comes to modeling from ad work to print to fashion and so on. I've worked with people who have a "great look" but after a test shoot, find out that they don't have other qualities which would make them successful and marketable. I encourage them to work on strengthening and building up other qualities, so when we work on a portfolio for them, everything comes across in the image they want to present potential clients. I'd be happy to take their money for producing the work, but if I can't give them something which will produce work for them, it's not a win win situation, which is always the most desirable. caseylipokphotography@yahoo.com

You can also find me on Facebook:

 Casey Lipok Photography