"Photographer Looking For People to Do Their Job Without Pay"

Photobug

+ 1 to Msmoto and spraynpray.

+1 to ThomasHornton. You hit the point that customers are learning that some..not all..have a tendency to over-value their art.

Symphotic

I'm volunteering my time and talents to take portraits of a group of seniors. They complained about the bad treatment they got when they hired a "pro". I saw some of the pro's results and they weren't much better than if they had made "selfies."
I am honored to do this for free. These people are part of a disappearing generation and should be documented. Also, it gives me an excuse to buy more lighting.
But I get fairly compensated for taking pictures of circuit boards, motors, lenses and the like.

paulr

Professional Photographers are no different than any other professional service provider. If I need a professional builder I look at their previous work and read and check their references, Why would you employ a Pro photographer and not do the same .Any Pro photographer who is worth his/her salt, are more than happy to show their work, normally with a sense of pride. so they can justify their costs. If you are not happy with the results, complain, never just accept it, and mark it down to experience.

tcole1983

Since a friend and I are in the running for a wedding with another photography place it is funny this has come up. We gave the people a quote and example shots. I guess they thought they were going with the other gig and then changed their mind and still might go with us. We are reasonably priced...of course not making a living doing it. I by no means say I am a pro and will be the backup, which I think I am capable of.

However I don't think people realize the cost of equipment. I saw it was mentioned earlier that equipment is easy and you can just rent it. Yeah you can...but quality equipment to rent is still expensive. Quality equipment to buy is expensive. I was talking to a guy last night and he was asking about cameras and lenses...he had no idea there was much difference between them. I think there was some sticker shock when I told him how much a good lens really costs. My goal by charging anyone for my work would be to pay for my equipment. If I could get back to breaking even I would be happy because I use it for personal use all the time. It isn't just about the equipment though. I think I have some glass and I know my body is aging (hopefully to be upgraded soon), but knowing what I know...I couldn't rent a D800 and go out tomorrow and take near the shots I can with my D5000.

The problem with free work/doing free work is you have to. Especially starting out you have to make a portfolio. You know I have pictures of my daughter, friends and family, but in the end people want to see something like they will be getting. I can say well I can do something I can't show you a picture of. And I think it has become even more common with the digital age for everyone to think they can be a photographer. I am not putting myself in this catagory, because I think I really could learn much more and have better technique. But talking last night...people think they can just buy a dSLR and out pop national geographic photos. They don't know that person probably used equipment that costs more then my car, or that they probably waited around for days and the right light, or that the photo has been worked with in a photo editing program.

Lastly with cameras in everyones phone and stuff people have come to accept subpar pictures. I even found myself using my phone too often last year. So I made myself get my Nikon out and take "real" pictures. Ones I can edit and actually make look good...and I really can see the difference when I post something from my phone or one I took with my Nikon. It is hard to convey that to someone though that has a 300 MP camera on their phone. I was looking at some pictures my brother sent of his kids with a P&S camera. They are sharp and I guess you could say good pictures, but they aren't from a dSLR and they have no bokeh or anything...basically they are missing that "look".

sevencrossing

My experience of working for free is, that your time is not valued and when you arrive, there is a high chance things and people, will not be ready; if I need something, I will have to wait , sometimes a very long time

If I am charging a full commercial rate, as much as possibly will have been be sorted in advance and if I need something, someone will be on hand to help or get it for me

If you are charging ££££ an hour, people value your time and look after you

Symphotic

.... you are charging ££££ an hour, people value out time and look after you ....

+1!

henrik1963

@sevencrossing: If you cost a lot - then you must be good // If you work for free - then you must be bad :-)

Msmoto

As one who does not charge anyone, now, I have a very warped perspective on this subject. I find it very sad the profession has evolved into one where quite often the best salesperson is making money and not necessarily the best photographer. And, I see some photographers who think so much of themselves they seem to have forgotten to think of what they are shooting.

IMO there are many cases where what is charged has little to do with the quality of the final project.

paulr

When i first starting in Photography{ Ok I am an old xxx} Most photographers came very well dressed and even wore Dicky-Bow ties. However,Some were quite pompous in their attitude to clients. Today a new breed of photographer as arrived where basic smartness seems to be a thing of the past. Our new generation of professional photographers though ,do come at least with a smile and try to interpret the clients wishes. Lets hope that their technical skills match the old school. After all one day they will become old themselves.

sevencrossing

I find it very sad the profession has evolved into one where quite often the best salesperson is making money and not necessarily the best photographer. .

I don't see the situation has "evolved". In the UK nothing has changed in photography or any other profession

paulr

..... try to interpret the clients wishes

This is something few people seem to understand. I have spent weeks getting to know a clients needs, the final shoot took a few hours

Wedding can present an interesting challenge

who is the client ?
The Bride ?
The Brides mother who is paying your fee ?
or sometimes, the photographer or agent you are working for

My personal view ; its the brides day, and woe betide the photographer , groom, mother, or mother in law, who thinks otherwise

paulr

sevencrossing,
My personal view ; its the brides day, and woe betide the photographer , groom, mother, or mother in law, who thinks otherwise

Thankfully I am not a Wedding Photographer

Symphotic

I can't imagine any competitive amount of money that would induce me to be a wedding photographer!

Symphotic

... Most photographers came very well dressed and even wore Dicky-Bow ties....

I wear a bow tie. Other when I am at sea or in my lab, I always show up at my client's in a jacket and bow tie! I think here in California it pays to not look like everybody else (black t-shirts and ponytails.)

PB_PM

@sevencrossing: If you cost a lot - then you must be good // If you work for free - then you must be bad :-)

Either that or you are working for a charity you believe in, during your spare time.

spraynpray

I find it very sad the profession has evolved into one where quite often the best salesperson is making money and not necessarily the best photographer.
V
V
V
IMO there are many cases where what is charged has little to do with the quality of the final project.

Ain't that the truth - unfortunately it is true about everything sold. Caveat emptor - I find myself thinking that far too often.

paulr

My Goodness, Photographers wearing Bow Ties, other quoting Latin, Is Nikon Rumors Changing it style for 2014