Should I work for free?

[Overread]

Should I work for Free?

Study that chart!:mrgreen:

 

[RauschPhotography]

And this link is pretty useful in the same scenario! 12 Excuses for Shooting Photos for Free ? and Why They?re Bogus | Black Star Rising

 

[sobolik]

My uncle passed away last year at 79. He walked into a store in downtown Milwaukee in the late 40's and said I will work for you for 2 weeks for free. If you like me you can hire me, if not you don't have too. After 2 weeks he was hired.

Times have changed. We want not only to be paid but to be paid handsomely from the very first second. But then again the filthy rich like say a proven actresses has to audition for free and we think nothing of that as being out of the ordinary expectation.

 

[mfrankpdx]

"Free" and "work" should never be in the same sentence, except this one of course!

 

[sobolik]

My uncle passed away last year at 79. He walked into a store in downtown Milwaukee in the late 40's and said I will work for you for 2 weeks for free. If you like me you can hire me, if not you don't have too. After 2 weeks he was hired.

Times have changed. We want not only to be paid but to be paid handsomely from the very first second. But then again the filthy rich like say an actresses has to audition for free and we think nothing of that as being out of the ordinary expectation.

An audition is a poor analogy.

An audition is equal to someone showing off their portfolio. People don't audition by performing in a multi-million-dollar film that win oscars... they audition in a tiny room (or in a theatre), in front of a panel of a few important people related to the project (be it theatre, film, TV, what have you). And they do so for a very short period of time (be it 2 minutes or an hour). It's not work. It's a demonstration of someone's ability... just like our portfolios are a demonstration of ours.

No one is profiting from an audition, and no one gains anything but the knowledge of whether or not the person auditioning is capable to be given a role in the production.

I think not. You don't build a portfolio by getting paid to be a primary photographer, you pay your dues to build one. You don't end up playing in the Superbowl with out playing for free - pee wee through college.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

My uncle passed away last year at 79. He walked into a store in downtown Milwaukee in the late 40's and said I will work for you for 2 weeks for free. If you like me you can hire me, if not you don't have too. After 2 weeks he was hired.

Times have changed. We want not only to be paid but to be paid handsomely from the very first second. But then again the filthy rich like say an actresses has to audition for free and we think nothing of that as being out of the ordinary expectation.

An audition is a poor analogy.

An audition is equal to someone showing off their portfolio. People don't audition by performing in a multi-million-dollar film that win oscars... they audition in a tiny room (or in a theatre), in front of a panel of a few important people related to the project (be it theatre, film, TV, what have you). And they do so for a very short period of time (be it 2 minutes or an hour). It's not work. It's a demonstration of someone's ability... just like our portfolios are a demonstration of ours.

No one is profiting from an audition, and no one gains anything but the knowledge of whether or not the person auditioning is capable to be given a role in the production.

I think not. You don't build a portfolio by getting paid to be a primary photographer, you pay your dues to build one. You don't end up playing in the Superbowl with out playing for free - pee wee through college.

Let's talk about just how long Tamba Hali played for free before he was paid to play. Let's do. Let's do just that.

 

[Aayria]

The chart was pretty funny I must say =P

On another note though.. I think it's important not to let the whole "should I get paid" and "should I work for x,y,x" get in the way such that you limit yourself from potentially amazingly fun opportunites to shoot for .. *gasp* yourself! And hey..if in the process of shooting entirely for fun, somebody wants to buy or have a print of something you did, meh.. why not accept the compliment without the drama and philosophizing about working for free?

 

[Overread]

Comparisons to other areas of work is never going to -- well -- work because each area of the existing market place for work has its different methods of entry.

One should also remember that whilst the portfolio building is important - very much so in photography - one should not make that their primary goal. The primary goal (for the aspiring professional photographer) is to get paid and to earn enough to support themselves financially.

The above chart and the advice many pros give is that working for free won't (most times) net you paying events; but will instead net you more free work. The problem here is that whilst this free work might (for a time) build your portfolio it does not put money in your pocket - and like it or not bills; rent; mortgages; food and such all require money.
Heck many pros will advise the opposite and instead of working for free will say that you should pay to build your portfolio - paying to get entry to sports gigs - paying the hairdresser, make up and model for a proper studio shoot.

There is also the greater concern in the working photographic world that; without any national level unions or representatives and the whole market reliant upon a paying client; large industries will cheapen the paying market sector for the professional photographer. Relying instead upon the many aspiring amateurs to "work for free" to "build their portfolio" instead to supply the photos they need.

 

[sobolik]

An audition is a poor analogy.

An audition is equal to someone showing off their portfolio. People don't audition by performing in a multi-million-dollar film that win oscars... they audition in a tiny room (or in a theatre), in front of a panel of a few important people related to the project (be it theatre, film, TV, what have you). And they do so for a very short period of time (be it 2 minutes or an hour). It's not work. It's a demonstration of someone's ability... just like our portfolios are a demonstration of ours.

No one is profiting from an audition, and no one gains anything but the knowledge of whether or not the person auditioning is capable to be given a role in the production.

I think not. You don't build a portfolio by getting paid to be a primary photographer, you pay your dues to build one. You don't end up playing in the Superbowl with out playing for free - pee wee through college.

Let's talk about just how long Tamba Hali played for free before he was paid to play. Let's do. Let's do just that.

OK, "Let's do. Let's do just that"

He played high school and college for free while "building his portfolio"
Tamba Hali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[GeorgieGirl]

I think not. You don't build a portfolio by getting paid to be a primary photographer, you pay your dues to build one. You don't end up playing in the Superbowl with out playing for free - pee wee through college.

Let's talk about just how long Tamba Hali played for free before he was paid to play. Let's do. Let's do just that.

OK, "Let's do. Let's do just that"

He played high school and college for free while "building his portfolio"
Tamba Hali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tell me how long in college before pro. I already know about HS, How many calendar days in college? Is Tamba's a story about a long time chin on the floor suffering all the way to a pay your dues event???

Tamba and your Uncle are very much alike aren't they.

 

[Novux]

And this link is pretty useful in the same scenario! 12 Excuses for Shooting Photos for Free ? and Why They?re Bogus | Black Star Rising

While I dig the cynically straight-forward vibe from Mr. Harrington, you've got to draw a line somewhere.

I’ve been doing some free portraits of friends for fun, to use as their Facebook profile photos. When people see my pictures on Facebook, I’ll expand my network and it can lead to jobs.

No, it will lead to more requests to take pictures “for fun” — from friends, then friends of friends, then people who just don’t want to pay to have their portraits taken. And you’ll be making lots of new friends among the professional portrait photographers whose livelihoods you are damaging. Happy networking!

I mean, really. Then what CAN a photographer shoot without being paid?

 

[Overread]

And this link is pretty useful in the same scenario! 12 Excuses for Shooting Photos for Free ? and Why They?re Bogus | Black Star Rising

While I dig the cynically straight-forward vibe from Mr. Harrington, you've got to draw a line somewhere.

I’ve been doing some free portraits of friends for fun, to use as their Facebook profile photos. When people see my pictures on Facebook, I’ll expand my network and it can lead to jobs.

No, it will lead to more requests to take pictures “for fun” — from friends, then friends of friends, then people who just don’t want to pay to have their portraits taken. And you’ll be making lots of new friends among the professional portrait photographers whose livelihoods you are damaging. Happy networking!

I mean, really. Then what CAN a photographer shoot without being paid?

You're missing the point - he is pointing out that yes you can shoot this stuff for free and it will get you - more free work. This is a no win situation for the photographer who wants to start earning a serious component of their income (or even their entire income) from photography.

Though I sort of feel that 99.9% of people on facebook won't be paying pro fees for a photoshoot for their profile avatar

 

[fokker]

Yeah, that 12 excuses thing just seemed like a pissed off rant really. If someone wants to work for free then fine, ranting about it on your blog isn't going to change that.

 

[Novux]

And this link is pretty useful in the same scenario! 12 Excuses for Shooting Photos for Free ? and Why They?re Bogus | Black Star Rising

While I dig the cynically straight-forward vibe from Mr. Harrington, you've got to draw a line somewhere.

I’ve been doing some free portraits of friends for fun, to use as their Facebook profile photos. When people see my pictures on Facebook, I’ll expand my network and it can lead to jobs.

No, it will lead to more requests to take pictures “for fun” — from friends, then friends of friends, then people who just don’t want to pay to have their portraits taken. And you’ll be making lots of new friends among the professional portrait photographers whose livelihoods you are damaging. Happy networking!

I mean, really. Then what CAN a photographer shoot without being paid?

You're missing the point - he is pointing out that yes you can shoot this stuff for free and it will get you - more free work. This is a no win situation for the photographer who wants to start earning a serious component of their income (or even their entire income) from photography.

Though I sort of feel that 99.9% of people on facebook won't be paying pro fees for a photoshoot for their profile avatar

True, but I think he's missing the point. Spending a few hours just shooting and having fun with friends isn't really work in the first place, at least not for me.

I guess he didn't seem very relaxed. It's just some friends and me and my camera.

 

[Overread]

True, but I think he's missing the point. Spending a few hours just shooting and having fun with friends isn't really work in the first place, at least not for me.

I guess he didn't seem very relaxed. It's just some friends and me and my camera.

But his post isn't aimed at that kind of situation; its targeted at people who are taking those photos with the idea that it will "get their name out there" and get them work - and his point is that it won't do them any favours because all it will get them is (most likely) more free work.

Clearly if you're just going to have some fun with friends/family there is nothing wrong in that at all