On a photographer forum that I frequent, a young photographer boldly and bravely stepped up to ask one of the most commonly asked questions by aspiring pros; “Should I work for free?” The situation was a magazine that had contacted him and said, “We want you to shoot this. In exchange, we’ll give you a publication credit for your portfolio.”
I posted this in reply, and thought I’d share it here. And if it sounds familiar, it’s probably because I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating.
They are trying to take advantage of you. The offer of a publication credit and credit line in exchange for a free shoot is just to get you to do work, which costs you time and energy, in exchange for the lure of ‘fame’ by them giving you exposure in their magazine.
That kind of exposure will very very very rarely ever get you any additional work. Plus, once a magazine gets you to work for free, you will most likely never be able to stand up and say, “Now please pay me for the next job.” There won’t be a next job. They’ll move on to find the next photographer who wants to work for the lure of credit and exposure.
The best way to think of an offer of “exposure” in exchange for your time, effort, and talent, is to picture yourself standing naked on a wind-swept Alaskan glacier in winter. That, my dear friend, is exposure.
You’ll always serve yourself better in the long run asking for some level of fair compensation upfront. That way you’ll wind up working for clients that value your contributions and efforts, and not spending precious time working for someone that just wants to take advantage of your inexperience.
File under BTW & FWIW: I came up with my glacier quote after seeing one of Galen Rowell’s old Alaskan adventure expedition photos where he got someone to pose with arms & legs outstreched, naked on a glacier.
Addendum: Hear how author Harlan Ellison feels about working for free. (Not for young ears.)
Isn’t “Work for free” an oxymoron?
Completely agree with you and love the glacier quote, gets me chuckling every time.
What irks me in this request “to work for free” is the fact that everyone at the mag gets paid, they wouldn’t think twice about working without pay, then think it is perfectly reasonable to ask photographer to work for free. I think anytime you post something like this, you should also give a link to that youtube video of Harlan Ellison. Best rant for the money ;).
Gary,
I am tired of getting propositioned in the same vain to exhibit my work in some cheapskate doctor’s office with the promise that is high end clientel will love it and will want to buy one for themselves. Yeah right! If his clientel would be so willing to buy ont of my pieces, then how about you buy ti from me, and sell it to them at a markup and make a few bucks for yourself! Argh!
My rule is simple: I don’t work for free for any sort of commercial venture. Occasionally I will donate time or services to a nonprofit organization but if it’s a commercial outfit that’s asking for my services or products, I’ll ask for compensation. I have never seen a photo byline in a magazine lead to any real future work.
Great answer and thank you for sharing it!
Thanks for all the comments.
@ Peter: Not if you’re a volunteer. 🙂
@ Younes: Thanks for the reminder; will add the link to Harlan’s rant above.
Cheers,
If they are serious about giving you exposure, then have them write the article specifically about *you*, then they can have the images for free as fair use.