Would you work for free???
Of course not!
Please don't ask Photographers, Performers or other Artists to work for free! I have personally spent more than TEN YEARS honing my skills and there is nothing more insulting you can say to any artist than; "There's no budget but the exposure will be great for you!"
This video may help explain:
Please don't ask Photographers, Performers or other Artists to work for free! I have personally spent more than TEN YEARS honing my skills and there is nothing more insulting you can say to any artist than; "There's no budget but the exposure will be great for you!"
This video may help explain:
"People who would consider it a bizarre breach of conduct to expect anyone to give them a haircut or a can of soda at no cost will ask you, with a straight face and a clear conscience, whether you wouldn’t be willing to write an essay or draw an illustration for them for nothing. They often start by telling you how much they admire your work, although not enough, evidently, to pay one cent for it." (Krieder, 2013)
Author Tim Kreider provides a template for a polite response to those who ask you to work for free:
Thanks very much for your compliments on my [writing/illustration/whatever thing you do]. I’m flattered by your invitation to [do whatever it is they want you to do for nothing]. But [thing you do] is work, it takes time, it’s how I make my living, and in this economy I can’t afford to do it for free. Thanks again for your kind words about my work.
I would like to add something along the lines of; "Please feel free to contact me when your budget allows for paying the artist". Or something less nice ;)
One last thing you may want to consider if you have a friend/relative who is a professional photographer - please do not casually ask; "Oh, and can you bring your camera to my party/event/wedding". If they want to bring it and take photos as a gift to you, lovely. But you wouldn't say to your friend who is a tax accountant; "Oh, and can you bring along your calculator?"
It just isn't good etiquette.
Author Tim Kreider provides a template for a polite response to those who ask you to work for free:
Thanks very much for your compliments on my [writing/illustration/whatever thing you do]. I’m flattered by your invitation to [do whatever it is they want you to do for nothing]. But [thing you do] is work, it takes time, it’s how I make my living, and in this economy I can’t afford to do it for free. Thanks again for your kind words about my work.
I would like to add something along the lines of; "Please feel free to contact me when your budget allows for paying the artist". Or something less nice ;)
One last thing you may want to consider if you have a friend/relative who is a professional photographer - please do not casually ask; "Oh, and can you bring your camera to my party/event/wedding". If they want to bring it and take photos as a gift to you, lovely. But you wouldn't say to your friend who is a tax accountant; "Oh, and can you bring along your calculator?"
It just isn't good etiquette.
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