For many amateur photographers, it’s only a matter of time before someone approaches them with requests for free photos. It might sound flattering to get attention. However, attention will not pay your bills.
How to respond to requests for free photography? Is it worth it to offer your pictures for free? We discuss everything you need to know in this article.
There are certain situations when it is worth it to offer a free photoshoot. When you build your portfolio, you can ask people to model your photos and offer them a free photoshoot. This means that you do not have to pay money for the model’s work. Instead, you offer them free photos.
It’s also a smart idea to take on a free photoshoot if you get credited in a famous online magazine or a platform with many readers. This can boost your career and offer you unexpected opportunities. Plus, it is a great way to build your network in the photography industry.
Before you agree to work for free, you should consider its costs and benefits. You are using your equipment and gear. You spend time taking and editing the photos, and nobody compensates for it. Your photos might be used in a context that is not good for your brand and business. You can also miss out on taking work opportunities that would pay you.
Let’s look at some common reasons people will ask to use your photos for free.
The first thing you do not want to do, and that’s launch into a rant. It’s not worth your time or theirs. I have seen various articles that people link to when they are approached for free photography. I have to say, I would not read them because their tone is often coarse and dictating. These articles are way too long and only talk about why photographers must never allow working for free.
Before we move any further, it’s important to understand the mindset of someone asking to use your photos for free. The majority of the time, they are not willing to pay for your photo. That’s why they have not tried licensing a similar photo from Getty or a stock photography website.
So knowing this, what do you say, without wasting your time? Well, I get straight to the point. Here is what a typical response will look like:
Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you for your interest in my photo.
I regret to inform you that I do not allow my photos to be used without receiving payment. I appreciate that you may be able to provide me with exposure, but I hope you can understand that this is simply not a good business model for me, as the costs associated with taking photos can be considerably high.
However, I do allow my photos to be licensed at a very reasonable rate of $X per photo, for one-time, non-exclusive use. If you are still interested in using my photos, please let me know which ones you wish to use so that I can prepare a licensing agreement for you.
Regards,
Josh Dunlop
This way, I do not simply ignore their request. I conduct myself professionally, allowing them to see how much they would have to pay if they still want to use my photos.
The price per photo is dependant on who is asking and the size of the photo they want to use. If it’s a large national publisher and wants the photo to cover the front page, I will charge a lot more than I would for a blog looking for a small photo to use as a featured image.
The price I charge comes down to these factors:
Keep in mind that prices and factors also depend on the photography genre you work in. A real estate photographer might be able to ask for more money than a portrait photographer, for example.
So you can see, there is a lot to take into account, which is why I have listed it as $X in my example.
The fact of the matter is that most people looking for free photos are not looking to pay. That is why it’s best not to waste too much time with them. On a rare occasion, you will find someone trying their luck first before they offer payment. That is why it’s always worth replying to them, detailing your pricing for their publication.
Do not get lost in a rant about how it’s important to get paid for every photo because as much as it’s important to you, they likely do not care. Act professional and know your photography’s worth to succeed in this business is the best way to respond to requests for free photography.
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