I guess this is a question more for the Pro Togs we have here on OCUK, as I'm a bit torn on what to do.
So I've done lots of shooting of things that are considered 'Event' work. I've also done a number of shoots for free because they are non-profit, for charity or are close friends who I've not minded lending my time to.
As a result of the images I took at a friends event, I've been contacted by somebody who was in-attednence who would like me to do some work for them. So it turns out that the person represents a premium fashion label and would like me to shoot their AW launch where I'll be photographing the catwalk and the guests. It's not something I've shot before, but it does kind of sound exciting.
The caveat is that it will be unpaid; their line is that that its a charity event. The reality is though that the ticket sales are going to charity, but they are launching their new collection, so ultimately any images I take for them are going to be used commercially to promote the business, when they could clearly afford a Photographer. Their offer to me is simply that because of who they are, it would look good on my CV.
I've tried reading up on this as much as I can and most Photographers are dead against it. Plus given its a fashion launch, there will no doubt be many press represented Photographers there shooting for their own publications. So in a sense, having no experience of the etiquette of that, it feels like I'd be getting out of my depth. I feel like I'd also be like an outcast if I'm there shooting for nothing while everyone else is getting paid.
Obviously it would be a big name to have on my 'Photographer CV' but from what I've read by other Photographers, exposure is largely pointless and frequently a heavily debated topic as to whether it actually brings you any, as nobody knows or cares who the Photographer is really.
The other issue I have is that I already work freelance in a creative industry as my main job, Photography is then like my sideline between projects. As such, event photography isn't really where my heart lies, I'm more interested in portraiture and in-paticular the creative side of that. Ultimately though, thats an area even harder to make money from. So in essence, I'm really not sure whether it would really be that beneficial to me if my focus lies elsewhere. I suppose because most of my income comes from my other job, I can be more selective, rather than having to do a particular area.
What do you guys think?
Worth doing, even though they are effectively screwing you over?
Or tell them to lump it?
So I've done lots of shooting of things that are considered 'Event' work. I've also done a number of shoots for free because they are non-profit, for charity or are close friends who I've not minded lending my time to.
As a result of the images I took at a friends event, I've been contacted by somebody who was in-attednence who would like me to do some work for them. So it turns out that the person represents a premium fashion label and would like me to shoot their AW launch where I'll be photographing the catwalk and the guests. It's not something I've shot before, but it does kind of sound exciting.
The caveat is that it will be unpaid; their line is that that its a charity event. The reality is though that the ticket sales are going to charity, but they are launching their new collection, so ultimately any images I take for them are going to be used commercially to promote the business, when they could clearly afford a Photographer. Their offer to me is simply that because of who they are, it would look good on my CV.
I've tried reading up on this as much as I can and most Photographers are dead against it. Plus given its a fashion launch, there will no doubt be many press represented Photographers there shooting for their own publications. So in a sense, having no experience of the etiquette of that, it feels like I'd be getting out of my depth. I feel like I'd also be like an outcast if I'm there shooting for nothing while everyone else is getting paid.
Obviously it would be a big name to have on my 'Photographer CV' but from what I've read by other Photographers, exposure is largely pointless and frequently a heavily debated topic as to whether it actually brings you any, as nobody knows or cares who the Photographer is really.
The other issue I have is that I already work freelance in a creative industry as my main job, Photography is then like my sideline between projects. As such, event photography isn't really where my heart lies, I'm more interested in portraiture and in-paticular the creative side of that. Ultimately though, thats an area even harder to make money from. So in essence, I'm really not sure whether it would really be that beneficial to me if my focus lies elsewhere. I suppose because most of my income comes from my other job, I can be more selective, rather than having to do a particular area.
What do you guys think?
Worth doing, even though they are effectively screwing you over?
Or tell them to lump it?
I bet there are lots of interns doing their jobs for free for the "experience" as well.
