[P-E]

Had an email this morning from an amateur American Football team asking if they could discuss me being their official photographer for the 2008/09 season

The email went on to say that they couldn't offer anything financially other than travel costs and food .......wonder if they would be prepared to throw in a couple of cheerleaders

[Steve]

I recently got asked to do a job photographing a 5 day cycle tour around Mallorca. They offered flights, accommodation, food and a hire car but no wages.

I am sorry but holidays don't pay the bills.

[WOODY]

When The Chips Are Down You Have To Work For Silly Burgers

[P-E]

Well I don't mind doing a few games for them when I can but I don't want the full commitment.

[Dabhand16]

I don't know if you are actually considering this, or just sharing their offer. Congrats on the offer anyway - they obviously appreciate your talents

I guess it would raise you profile (if that's what you want), not only with this sport, but others too, and it would look good on your CV.

Do you know how much traveling would be involved? You could be selective as to what matches you cover unless they want a full season photographed.

I think that maybe the value of your time, not only to shoot the matches, but in PP will make it unrealistic, unless there is money to be had in selling the images.

[P-E]

I've not yet replied Graham so I'm not sure what is fully on offer......I don't really fancy my weekends tied up.

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by P-E

I've not yet replied Graham so I'm not sure what is fully on offer......I don't really fancy my weekends tied up.

That's what I thought. Different if there were earnings to be had.

[VikingPhotography]

No no no no no no NO! For God's sake, don't ever work for free... not even for the little people.

If the plumbing went at the office of a charity, they'd have to call out a plumber and you can be darn sure that they wouldn't fix it for free etc. - so why does everyone feel the need to take advantage of creative professionals such as photographers??

YouTube Video

Every time he says "writer", substitute "photographer"

Each time you work for "free" (an oxymoron if ever there was one), then you devalue your product and make it exponentially more difficult - if not impossible - for anyone to ever charge that client for photographic work in the future.

I'm sorry but this just makes my blood boil; it's right up there with lowballing clients and cheapskate publishers who try to nickel and dime you on your rates when you've advised them in advance what your fees will be, no to mention those gits who you have to threaten with legal action before they pay the bloody invoices you sent them ages ago

[P-E]

Haha I enjoyed that clip VP

[VikingPhotography]

Originally Posted by P-E

Haha I enjoyed that clip VP

It's enjoyable for sure, but it's also right on the money - if you'll pardon the pun.

Every time I meet a photographer at a gig or event who is 'working' for someone yet not getting paid, a little bit of my inner Harlan Ellison want's to beat the bejesus out of them

Case in point last year. A photographer who has a day-job working at Glasgow Airport landed the job of shooting special "competition winners only" gigs for Scottish Radio Holdings... part of the EMAP group.

The gigs had noted big-time acts such as McFly, Amy MacDonald, Sugababes, Orson etc. on the playlists and, although they were 'free' to competition winners, you can be damn sure that SRH / EMAP paid the artists, PR, soundguys, roadies etc. for their time.

The photographer wasn't getting paid a single penny. He was to provide images to SRH / EMAP for free and, in return, he could use them in his portfolio

To say bloody blue murder was almost committed is an understatement... and not just by his wife who, according to the photographer, was getting mighty ticked off at the arrangement...

After all it's not as if EMAP - one of the most powerful and successful media companies in the UK - is short of a penny or two.

[Charlotte]

LOL VP, trust you to find that clip

P-E it doesn't sound as if you're leaping with joy at the thought of doing this job, so I'd have to say don't do it. For one thing, if your heart's not in it, then you won't do your best work anyway

[P-E]

I've replied and advised them I won't take anything less than three Cheerleaders.

No reply yet.

[Charlotte]

VP I understand your sentiment, and obvjectively speaking I agree with you. But you have to look at things from the amateur's point of view as well. Bear in mind that you have passed that stage and reached the professional stage, where you CAN ask to be paid what you're worth. An amateur (a) has no idea what s/he is worth, and (b) does not have the confidence to stand his/her ground with regard to being paid, mainly because of the point I raised in "(a)" but also because s/he knows that s/he is likely to lose the "job" completely, which - although this may not seem important to you, as a professional - may be important to that amateur for one reason or another (experience, enjoyment etc.).

[WOODY]

P-E YOU JUST WANT TO HOPE THAT THEY HAVE NOT GOT MALE CHEERLEADERS