If you don't sign any contract and are doing if for free (so no implied contract) then I would do the gig and then give them low resolution jpegs with big watermarks right across the center and say that is what you get for free, if there is any you like then here is the pricing information. They might get ****ed and bad mouth but if you are no setup as a pro then there is nothing they can do really.
Working for free
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If you've got nothing else to do that day and if you think you'll get some good images out of it, do it, especially if your basic expenses are covered. Fashion events are generally fun to cover, although catwalk stuff is a snoozefest to be honest 
. Ask them what your images will be used for, get that in text, if they're reasonable (such as a blog post about the event and not for anything else) then draft a license with those terms and include it with your final edit.
. Ask them what your images will be used for, get that in text, if they're reasonable (such as a blog post about the event and not for anything else) then draft a license with those terms and include it with your final edit.
If it's an area you are interested in and want the experience then go for it. You need to draw up a contract defining the use of the images you provide, embedding metadata is something that you also do but do not rely on it as your use protection as it is so easily stripped.
Associate
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I do this, I just do it to listen to the bands and have a laugh taking some photos...
I've also got a friend who does the same. He shoots 2-3 gigs a week at usually the same venue. I'd always assumed with how much he was shooting and the standard of his work that he was getting paid for it, but turns out he isn't and said there really isn't much money to be paid from that type of photography.
Do this, that sounds awesome and potentially hilarious!
If there is no contract laid forth then it is not dishonest, photos would be provided suitable for web use but with copyright protection visible.
If there is no contract then if the OP agrees to do it then he won't have to provide any photos, he can just say he forgot his memory card etc.
As I said, they might get ****ed but since the OP isn't set up as a pro then nothing bad will happen. And it was only an idea. They want a free photographer then they have to accept risks!
Caporegime
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I think the difference here is you know they are offering you no fee for the photos from the start.
Where as you give the impression to them you are giving them watermark free images and then change your stance.
That's bad faith and I know it is not a business but it is still your reputation.
Where as you give the impression to them you are giving them watermark free images and then change your stance.
That's bad faith and I know it is not a business but it is still your reputation.
IMO no, working for free is a mugs game, unless you have an affinity to the people you are doing the work for, I.E. a local charity.
If it were just a bunch of wannbe fashionistas using a charity event to further their crummy careers, I'd run a mile. Actually, no. Running is a waste of energy here.
If it were just a bunch of wannbe fashionistas using a charity event to further their crummy careers, I'd run a mile. Actually, no. Running is a waste of energy here.
Having spoken with the organiser today, I actually now get the impression that its not quite a big a deal of an event as I had originally thought, despite the fancy location. Its actually being organised for charity by one of the individual stores, rather than say the brand's head office launching the collection, which I'm sure they would have no doubt had a paid photographer for.
There also won't be any kind of raised catwalk and there won't be any stage lighting, so it was suggested that I obviously use flash.... which given if it had been a pro catwalk, is apparently not allowed. In terms of myself, that means a bit more time experimenting to get the lighting right and consistent.
To also demonstrate how its a bit less professional than anticipated, the organiser apparently had me and a videographer penciled in as midway down the catwalk, side-on. I pointed out that this was not the best angle to be taking photos from, and you typically need to be shooting from the end of the catwalk where they stop to pose. So now they are rearranging some seats to do so!
Yeah I already have a proper photography licensing contract that I've used before when I've made sales. So I will tailor it to exactly what the shoot brief was, which was to provide them with images of the event for the website and social media. So the licence will demonstrate that, along with explaining something along the lines of it being ok to submit to press, however there is no free usage and as such any publications will have to contact/pay me at standard NUJ rates for the type of page/size its used on.
What I think I might also make sense, is before I even send them the finished images, just submit some to Picture Editors at the fashion magazines. If that is what they are going to end up doing anyway, I've got the jump on them in ensuring that I get paid when its used.
There also won't be any kind of raised catwalk and there won't be any stage lighting, so it was suggested that I obviously use flash.... which given if it had been a pro catwalk, is apparently not allowed. In terms of myself, that means a bit more time experimenting to get the lighting right and consistent.
To also demonstrate how its a bit less professional than anticipated, the organiser apparently had me and a videographer penciled in as midway down the catwalk, side-on. I pointed out that this was not the best angle to be taking photos from, and you typically need to be shooting from the end of the catwalk where they stop to pose. So now they are rearranging some seats to do so!
Yeah I already have a proper photography licensing contract that I've used before when I've made sales. So I will tailor it to exactly what the shoot brief was, which was to provide them with images of the event for the website and social media. So the licence will demonstrate that, along with explaining something along the lines of it being ok to submit to press, however there is no free usage and as such any publications will have to contact/pay me at standard NUJ rates for the type of page/size its used on.
What I think I might also make sense, is before I even send them the finished images, just submit some to Picture Editors at the fashion magazines. If that is what they are going to end up doing anyway, I've got the jump on them in ensuring that I get paid when its used.
Associate
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What I would do is, I would create a contract which allows you to give them the photos but for to be only used within their own publication/ website. If they then send it to a magazine/ other website then they would need to pay you some sort of fee and credit you.
At the end of the day, they are expecting a free ride. Give them it to a point... then make them pay if they want to promote what they have done.
{just seen the charity bit... You posted while I was writing...}
At the end of the day, they are expecting a free ride. Give them it to a point... then make them pay if they want to promote what they have done.
{just seen the charity bit... You posted while I was writing...}
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Let us know how it goes!