Marg Loc: Canadian transplanted to NW Alabama

Cute song. I read through some of the replies below the song and this was my favourite. Especially for Mom!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I retired from mechanical contracting where part of our business was servicing industrial equipment. When a Purchasing Agent would question why the repairs cost so much, my response would be that we would have charged them less if they brought their multi-million dollar process equipment to our shop along with the special tools and diagnostic equipment, and the repair parts required to service it. Of course, some of them called me an Asshole, however, they got the point and paid the invoice.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

You have to be realistic about how much actual exposure you will get. In most cases, practically none. Other than experience, you are gaining nothing. But a photo shoot with a famous celebrity for example, there can be a significant amount of exposure - if you know how to market yourself. Something like that could potentially open doors to very lucrative future assignments.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

🤣😂🤣😂🤣
I’ve seen that before. Posted on social media by a photographer friend. I have a lot of friends that are creatives, photographers, artists, writers, musicians, and I always say to them if you work for “exposure” you’re just exposing yourself as someone that will work for free.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have earned my livelihood through my photography all of my adult life- actually I started at the tender age of 14 as an apprentice and gofer in a studio. You do not need a degree in business administration or marketing to learn what I was taught by my first boss and mentor. Some folks would come along and bargain or haggle "do my work for free or for cheap and I will send you all my friends and relatives"! The problem is, all their friends will want it for free or cheap- an easy equation to understand! This is axiomatic!

On the other side of the coin, it is bad for my mental health to assume the attitude that everyone I encounter wants free work, kinda wanna rip me off, and take advantage of our relationship. I can't recall any close relative or friend asking me to work for free- they know that photography is my profession or trade and not a hobby or casual pastime. If one does photograhy as a hobby, perhaps some folks assume that the do no work for pay and want to do free work for the experience or for fun! Perhas some folks think photography is only a hobby not like doctors, lawyers, electricians, and plumbers?

Y'all know the old adage "it better to give than to receive". I many occasions, I have opted to do PRO-BONO work for charitable organizations and for folks who are down on the luck- why not? I have gifted friends and family with my work.

And, believe it or not, it could be a valuable business strategy if you are savvy about it and GIVE in the right places. When I opened my first studio and offered wedding photography, I supplied every vendor in the weddg business, florists, caterers, formalwear suppliers, jewellers, invitation printers, etc., with FREE large prints of their stuff that I shot at weddings. Within a year I had prints hanging in over 40 locations and the referrals were coming in on a daily basis. I was able to write off the printing and framing costs as advertising expenses.

The tune is very cute but are all of y'all really inundated with requests for free work? The song kinda compares photography to prostitution.

Think about this. Many of us on this forum, both amateurs and professionals,s have invested our time and money in our equipment and our experience, yet we SHARE our knowledge without payment. We are not selfish.

What to do if folks approach you for free work? Perhas tell them honestly and straightforwardly, that photographer is your VOCATION or AVOCATION- the "vocation" means that you expect remuneration for your work. Even if photography is only your hobby, most folks realize it is an expensive hobby. Most intelligent folks also know that there are costs in running any business and you should not need to explain that to them. Hopefully, your friends, relatives or clients can see the VALUE in your work and they will buy it based on that quality, pride of ownership, etc. If, on the other hand, they are insatiable bargain hunters and can't see the past the money, there is little you can do other than decline the work gracefully.

If you are n BUSINESS, you must realize that NEGOTIATION is a normal part of business and some fols and even corporations will "haggle". If your particular clientele is in the habit of doing that, you need to build that into your price structure and negotiation strategies. I find that consistency is important, especially if you depend on word of mouth and referral business. Somets, some folk just always want to feel theyy got something "extra". Sometimes that little "extra" will seal the deal on a big profitable job"!

Well- if all else fails, you can always playback that tune and show them the door!

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

hrblaine

"No, I wouldn't give pictures to someone who wants to use in a book."

But would you sell them one? Harry PS I'm an amateur but when taking pictures of the Ohio State Univ. Dance Company, I was beseiged by requests from students so I started selling 8x10s for $1.00 which was what the local photo shop charged me. (I wasn't going to waste my time developing dozens of photos.)

Then a company came in to give a concert and when they saw some of my photos, they inquired about them. "Talk to Harry, he'll take some for you," they were told. "We can't afford pictures," they replied. (Coming from $50.00 a picture NYC.) "Can't afford $1.00?" And so I started getting requests from pros and since they'd already been quoted a price.... Harry PS These requests weren't coming from Martha, Merce or Jose or from the top dancers in those companies but from younger dancers and dancers from smaller companies.

Norm Rosenberg

Thank you!!!!

Cheese

I do. I’m an amateur photographer; if someone likes one of my photos and wants to put it in a book, what do I have to lose? I don’t kid myself that I’d be able to sell my images for real money. I am affiliated with two animal rescues, and I routinely takes pictures of their dogs for their website. I also take photos for their calendar fundraiser and at their events. A friend who is a professional photographer donates her time, equipment, and expertise to take “pictures with Santa” at the Christmas party for one of the rescues. I can’t do this because I don’t have the equipment to print out and hand out photos in real time. What’s the point of mastering your art, if you are unwilling to share it? Everyone on this site is more than willing to share their expertise for free. What’s the difference?

BArthur3

Very well said -- always has power when based on reality!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

F**king brilliant!

I love the fact that it’s sung by ladies who sound like they make little kids’ nursery tunes for a living.

I’m sure there are some sensitive folks who don’t get the need for the fine old Anglo-Saxon swear words used, but the forceful impact of that cannot be ignored, despite the polite tone of voice.

I’ve encountered many folks over the last 45 years who don’t understand what professional photography (or writing or software development or musical genius) truly entails. They need to hear and think about this!

Seabastes

Early in my freelance career I was asked by PR folks for non-profits to donate my work.

I would nicely reply that I would be pleased to donate a day's work if their CEO would donate the income for one day's salary.

I never had anyone take me up on my offer.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Good… I think that’s the spirit of the song. I’ll donate for a good cause, but not for a commercial venture.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Just as good as the song!

delder Loc: Maryland

I wonder how they like the Watermark?
Don't forget to Date Stamp the shot.