I have shared this with a bunch of my photographer friends. I can tell you from experience that this miserable practice exists in the website development world as well. Keep the light on, Dina .
My Wife and I have worked together in our graphic and web design business for 20 years. In that time we’ve been constantly pitched these demands. Community groups, chambers of commerce, other business groups, politicians, festivals, you name it, everyone wants something from you for nothing. Even worse, these are almost always the first to cry when there are out-of- pocket costs involved such as web hosting, even though the website itself was provided free. Peoples compulsion to use others with no shame is remarkable.
I guess Neil Young's quote, "You can't eat hope" struck a chord. Now for a story. I'm sure you know of New Orleans Jazz Fest. They have a unique way of knighting photographers. You apply online. They pick ten photographers who are still on their knees. They offer the lucky ten a contract. You must work every day of the festival -- this year 12 days because the Rolling Stones are coming. You must photograph at least ten acts a day and by the end of that day you must turn in 100 images (10x10) fully edited. And, the copyright reverts to them. This is volunteer work. It's a feather in your cap. BTW, the Stones allow no photography except with phones. I've never done that job.
The ABC7 story is outrageous. Rescinding the offer and saying exposure should be enough…smh. I always imagine saying that in other industries/contexts and it’s beyond egregious and laughable but somehow they find it okay with photographers.
I'm definitely sharing these important thoughts and discussion wherever I tread. But it's especially important, as you emphasize at the conclusion, that photographers and other skilled people learn to put their foot down and refuse to go along with "clients" on this race to the bottom. Call them out, ask them if they are working for good feels, and refuse to work for less than you're worth. If we don't take on such projects as a collective, such notions of taking advantage will recede from clients' minds.
Great article Dina. As well as exposure, the other scam I’ve come up against is the ‘skills exchange’ which, at first glance, seemed fair until I looked deeper into it and inevitably I was the one coming out with the poorer end of the deal.
Keep naming them. It may help the more reputable organizations to shy away from doing it, and it will help the photographers to recognize shadier ones.
I have shared this with a bunch of my photographer friends. I can tell you from experience that this miserable practice exists in the website development world as well. Keep the light on, Dina .
Thanks for shining a light on this, we appreciate it.
-Tom
My Wife and I have worked together in our graphic and web design business for 20 years. In that time we’ve been constantly pitched these demands. Community groups, chambers of commerce, other business groups, politicians, festivals, you name it, everyone wants something from you for nothing. Even worse, these are almost always the first to cry when there are out-of- pocket costs involved such as web hosting, even though the website itself was provided free. Peoples compulsion to use others with no shame is remarkable.
I guess Neil Young's quote, "You can't eat hope" struck a chord. Now for a story. I'm sure you know of New Orleans Jazz Fest. They have a unique way of knighting photographers. You apply online. They pick ten photographers who are still on their knees. They offer the lucky ten a contract. You must work every day of the festival -- this year 12 days because the Rolling Stones are coming. You must photograph at least ten acts a day and by the end of that day you must turn in 100 images (10x10) fully edited. And, the copyright reverts to them. This is volunteer work. It's a feather in your cap. BTW, the Stones allow no photography except with phones. I've never done that job.
The ABC7 story is outrageous. Rescinding the offer and saying exposure should be enough…smh. I always imagine saying that in other industries/contexts and it’s beyond egregious and laughable but somehow they find it okay with photographers.
I'm definitely sharing these important thoughts and discussion wherever I tread. But it's especially important, as you emphasize at the conclusion, that photographers and other skilled people learn to put their foot down and refuse to go along with "clients" on this race to the bottom. Call them out, ask them if they are working for good feels, and refuse to work for less than you're worth. If we don't take on such projects as a collective, such notions of taking advantage will recede from clients' minds.
Lol ABC7, the gall!
Great article Dina. As well as exposure, the other scam I’ve come up against is the ‘skills exchange’ which, at first glance, seemed fair until I looked deeper into it and inevitably I was the one coming out with the poorer end of the deal.
Keep naming them. It may help the more reputable organizations to shy away from doing it, and it will help the photographers to recognize shadier ones.
Years ago I wrote a book review (Unpaid) which was used more recently on a government educational test. Seems such creative endeavours are fair game.