Should Photographers Work For Free?

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0:47 Question #1.
2:49 Question #2.
4:26 Question #3.
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[@bikecommuter24]

Great topic, I have done some "free" photography for a couple of charities and non profits before, its my way of making a donation.

[@TheBiteShot]

That's a wonderful reason, too!!

[@GaymerXL]

I've been following you for years and go to university for photography. Your book "Picture Perfect Food" is being used as a teaching device in my food photography class.

[@TheBiteShot]

That is awesome!! So glad to hear it!

[@louisecornelissen5759]

Great tips that works for every profession ;)

[@Steve_Marsden]

My windbag of a graphic designer friend used to tell me “never work for free” and “exposure doesn’t pay” until I asked him how he got his start. That shut him up right away.

[@TheBiteShot]

We all start somewhere! :)

[@Safaandsaed]

Thanks for this Joanie, several times brands offer exchange products but I always refuse at the beginning of the conversation and end up nothing, and I lose contact 😥, no work. I sometimes feel selfish and regret it, now I know I have to change the mindset that it's okay to work for free for the beginning and change it paid later. Thank you again, you opened my mind.

[@TheBiteShot]

It's tricky stuff to navigate, for sure! And every situation can be unique, so do what's best for you.

[@danmccurry3810]

I'm so glad I found your content on You Tube, I'm a foodie in L.I. New York taking pics for Google. A new friend in Texas recommended that I should check out your content! I will spend time checking out your content and spread the word! Keep up the good work!

[@creativephebecooks]

Joanie, thank you for sharing your perspective on free work.

[@plantbasedkitchen]

Love this advice Joanie. Super helpful!!!

[@chocolateimpromptful]

Joanie this is great information! Thank you so much for sharing this with us ❤

[@allisondavid4566]

Thank you so much for your answer on question #3! Soooooo many are watering down and devaluing the entire industry by doing shoots in exchange for product ongoing. It teaches brands that they can get free imagery by offering free product, and if one person says no, they can move on to any number of other people willing to do it. IMHO, it's a really, really bad precedent to set. I wish those wanting to 'get their foot in the door' with brands or restaurants might realize that there could already be way too many other feet in that particular door, and rethink their strategy.

[@besteverbackdrops]

Great advice. As always!

[@stephanieshaus]

Joanie - thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this, especially to the 3rd question! I've followed advice from others in the past to reply to these DMs and tell them how they can get in touch with me for paid work (in more professional terms of course), but I'm feeling like I may have squandered a couple opportunities with that approach. This has encouraged me to be a little more open minded and start making those connections at a slower pace with the hopes that it will pay off later.

[@TheBiteShot]

For sure! It's a tricky line to ride. I do think that situations when a brand comes at me with a very specific shot list and outline of what they want, then that's when I'm less apt to do the work for free. So yep, trust the gut.

[@danielad2640]

Thank you for this video ❤️ It covers all important info I was looking for during these days. Should take take some notes and implement them in my photography service. Sending a big Thank you!

[@TheBiteShot]

Happy to share!!

[@sweetsavorysour]

Amazing tips!

[@butterflya1741]

you are really awesome, learned a lot from u

[@IrisNelson]

Thank you so very much for the information. This has been really helpful. Now I just have to be brave enough to reach out to local restaurants.

[@gaza4543]

As a creative i did alot of graft and networking back in the day and did free work experience because the price of the contract at the time was worth more. I basically did this till i got my foot in the door at Disney so it worked took about six months. SO there is an argument to be had for working for "free" are you getting something valuable out of it? is the question you have to ask yourself Especially if you're green from uni unless you're very lucky you're not getting looked at least I'm my creative side of the industry. If think if you're green think of it as a trial if they like you they'll get you come back and then you can work out a price.

[@racheljones1738]

I’ve been thinking about this local restaurant that’s struggling. I just emailed the owner after watching this video. I’m a long time customer. I offered 3 dish shoot in exchange for some restaurant photography experience. I hope it works out. 😅🎉

[@TheBiteShot]

That's awesome!! Great opportunity to make a new friend!

[@VJFurhana]

Joanie, thank you for some great tips here. When offering free images If a business refuses or hesitates to sign a contract what is your advise on navigating that discussion? Thank you!

[@TheBiteShot]

Then I'd move along personally. It's free photography, so if they're going to make it difficult there are plenty of other folks out there who'd jump at the chance.

[@Robert-ko6wr]

Don’t forget attribution, attribution, attribution on EVERY single photo. Name and website so people can see your other work. If the customer balks at your name on your photos then you probably shouldn’t be doing free work for them. It’s your work be proud of it.

[@michelepaccione8806]

I'm trying to imagine asking a restaurant to give you your first few meals for free and they can post your smile on their social media, or asking your accountant, doctor, dentist, landscaper, mechanic, utility company, plumber, house painter, carpenter, etc. etc. to work for free. I only ever hear this kind of question posed about people in the arts. I really do wonder why people feel writers, illustrators, photographers, etc. should work for free. My only guess is that some of us are willing to do it, and it sets up the expectation that art, and artists' time, is basically worthless.

[@TheBiteShot]

Yep, great point for sure! I definitely don't want to degrade the reputation of working photographers and fortunately many of the situations where I've used this strategy have turned into paid opportunities later. I think the difference is not repeatedly working for free as well as having solid boundaries around free work. If someone comes at me with a shot list, that will never be free.

[@lamarrion]

Never work for free. Exposure is a camera setting; not a payment option.

[@TheBiteShot]

Totally hear ya and I completely respect that perspective. For me personally, it's opened up a lot of doors and I've been able to create a sustainable six-figure photography business (aside from my KZbin and education business). There are lots of ways to build a business, so ya gotta go with what feels best in your own gut.

[@lamarrion]

@@TheBiteShot I agree.

[@fredzh]

Brilliant definition of 'exposure' (BTW), and you and Joanie make very good points, both of which can be true at the same time. "Payment" is more than financial compensation... it can also be in the form of gaining experience AND portfolio material...

[@gfxmaniac]

@@TheBiteShot But not for everyone. It depends on client and photographer. Do what you think is best for you. Do it for money or do it in long run, with exposure. But be mindful, some clients are only using photographers.

[@ms7833]

Would you suggest to charge full price on first shoot with no experience and using automatic settings? Also, is rename jpg files for raw files makes them raw? Love you channel! 😍😍😘😘🥰🥰

[@TheBiteShot]

Ha ha ha!!!