Is photographing for free always bad? Only if the photographer does not get anything out of it. When I shoot for free I create great new images for my portfolio. Images that sell me to new clients.

Shooting ads for free costs you money and hurts the industry as a whole. This is different than testing with models for your portfolio to get paid work. Answering an ad on Craigslist for a free shoot is what concerns me. Just the other day I saw an ad from the largest local Lexus car dealership asking for free images for their website. Please, do they give free car tune-ups or anything away for free…nope.

Yes, I do shoot for free with models, but only when the image is for my book and is something that benefits my crew as well. For instance, I might want to do a few new headshots and need to test a new lighting technique. The idea is mentioned to the various talents I work with and those that need new images will respond. In return I give them the creative freedom to do as they wish and I handle the lighting and posing. Continue reading »

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