This is the face I make when people ask me to work for less.
So I watched a video the other day that fairly adequately illustrates why we photographers are not, in fact, supposed to be working for free. I've had many conversations with people about it and as a group we're often trying to defend our business as A BUSINESS.
One of the best bits I've come up with over the years is simply that when you are about to ask a photographer to work for free or for much less than they normally would, ask yourself this question; "Would I do my job for free or for less than I normally would?" This is particularly true when people stop you and say "Well, I know someone else who will do it for cheaper." This frequently is followed up with the reasoning that the other person is just getting started or that they have another full time job or just through pure lack of business acumen. And not to say that I observe the other photographers in the market, find the most expensive and match their prices. My overhead might be lower than theirs based on the printers I use and the product lines I offer. Certainly as in any business you are free as a customer to shop around for a better deal. However, when comparison shopping, it is not fair to a photographer to ask them to lower their price for you.
As a professional, I spent 2 years, in school, training to do this. And not to say there aren't some fantastic self-taught photographers out there, but I'm just saying I did not just buy a camera and put a shingle up saying "I'm a professional."
Also unlike some photographers out there, I have a studio space that I use. That means I have rent to pay. Each and every single month. The landlord doesn't care if I haven't had enough gigs to cover this, I still have to come up with the money somehow.
I also have lights that I use. Lights that, like the studio, cost money. They can break down and if that happens, I have to replace them. So when you see that my prices might be more than the random person who has a full time job (see: Other or Primary Revenue Stream) doing something else, does only available light photography and will give you everything on a CD and is doing it just because they love it? It's not that I don't love it. But I am trying to do it for a living. And if it's not in your price range, that's fair. But please don't throw other people's prices at me as though I'm just trying to be greedy.
I'm not saying that I never have or never will work for free. I have occasionally done shoots for organizations (generally non-profit in variety) that I feel are worthy (such as when I did Juke Box Mania for Regina Family Services last September). And maybe I'm preaching to the choir here. Maybe you, reading this blog, are a big fan! And if so, thank you! I'm still going to link to the video I mentioned earlier that perhaps you, as the fan, could pass on to others where as Levar Burton would say, "... but you don't have to take my word for it."
If you have a few moments have a look here. It's a pretty good video, though I will say I think she doesn't have an understanding as to how our health care system works. But in general... it's sound.
Hope everyone is having a great long weekend!
One of the best bits I've come up with over the years is simply that when you are about to ask a photographer to work for free or for much less than they normally would, ask yourself this question; "Would I do my job for free or for less than I normally would?" This is particularly true when people stop you and say "Well, I know someone else who will do it for cheaper." This frequently is followed up with the reasoning that the other person is just getting started or that they have another full time job or just through pure lack of business acumen. And not to say that I observe the other photographers in the market, find the most expensive and match their prices. My overhead might be lower than theirs based on the printers I use and the product lines I offer. Certainly as in any business you are free as a customer to shop around for a better deal. However, when comparison shopping, it is not fair to a photographer to ask them to lower their price for you.
As a professional, I spent 2 years, in school, training to do this. And not to say there aren't some fantastic self-taught photographers out there, but I'm just saying I did not just buy a camera and put a shingle up saying "I'm a professional."
Also unlike some photographers out there, I have a studio space that I use. That means I have rent to pay. Each and every single month. The landlord doesn't care if I haven't had enough gigs to cover this, I still have to come up with the money somehow.
I also have lights that I use. Lights that, like the studio, cost money. They can break down and if that happens, I have to replace them. So when you see that my prices might be more than the random person who has a full time job (see: Other or Primary Revenue Stream) doing something else, does only available light photography and will give you everything on a CD and is doing it just because they love it? It's not that I don't love it. But I am trying to do it for a living. And if it's not in your price range, that's fair. But please don't throw other people's prices at me as though I'm just trying to be greedy.
I'm not saying that I never have or never will work for free. I have occasionally done shoots for organizations (generally non-profit in variety) that I feel are worthy (such as when I did Juke Box Mania for Regina Family Services last September). And maybe I'm preaching to the choir here. Maybe you, reading this blog, are a big fan! And if so, thank you! I'm still going to link to the video I mentioned earlier that perhaps you, as the fan, could pass on to others where as Levar Burton would say, "... but you don't have to take my word for it."
If you have a few moments have a look here. It's a pretty good video, though I will say I think she doesn't have an understanding as to how our health care system works. But in general... it's sound.
Hope everyone is having a great long weekend!
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