"It'll be good for your portfolio!" Innocent comment or annoying AF? What are your thoughts?
Replies11
- @Matteo Salomoni I think you make a really good point. IMO if someone is using the phrase ‘for exposure’ they’re exploiting you. If someone approaches you and if completely upfront, explains their situation and that they can’t pay, and offers you a collaborative project with no pressure to take it, that’s a different story. It’s really important how one goes about this, especially as a young photographer/starting out. If you’re only taking jobs ‘for exposure’ when does that stop? When do you allow yourself to value your work as it should be valued? I think it’s a bit of a dangerous rabbit hole and therefore, unless it’s something you’re really passionate about, it’s an absolute no. There’s so much exploitation of juniors in this industry and way too many people prey on inexperience just to get free labour.
- It really depends on a few things. Like @Darren Higginbottom mentioned, early into your career it can be a chance to learn something new, as well as an opportunity for people to see your work and get noticed. It works well for projects such as pro-bono work, or a project you do for a friend. What can also happen though is that if you present high-quality work, they might offer to pay. It is SOMETIMES worth it to take the hit if you can tell that it will be worth it later down the line, but it's definitely not sustainable in the long run. Generally, though, I would agree that it only applies for clients trying to wiggle their way out of paying, in exchange for "exposure" or projects to include in your portfolio. I guess it depends on the project you are working on and who is comissioning you/ hiring you, if the client is a big corporation, or can definitely afford your wage, then I think that should be minimum. This doesn't mean you should be charging astronomical figures, but if you are providing a service and dedicating your time to it, then you should definitely be fairly compensated for it.
- It really does depend on where you're at in your career.As a twenty year veteran, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole anymore ... but truly, if you are fresh to the industry - treat something like this as another chance to learn the trade, and give it some love.Early doors, you cannot afford to walk around thinking that you're the finished article and can charge hundreds of pounds a day.You earn the respect and the right to start doing that first.It s down to you to judge when enough portfolio pieces is enough.That point will come naturally in time, and with experience.
- Don't take it too personally. I say that I'm excited to collaborate and send the budget estimate:) What is great for my portfolio is also great for the company. I can do a project without charge under a single condition - it's my personal project or I collab with someone and do what I want. If t's a commercial project - no. I even don't explain this. I take those comments as a form of speech and negotiate the price. So this way there will be even no thought I can work for food and gratitude
- @Roos Levano So true. "Nothing complicated" is just code for "I don't have much of an idea or direction but I'll grind you for spec work and pay you only if you can make sense out of what I cannot, for my own brand".Which would still be okay if "Nothing complicated" would put some restraints on themselves when it comes to interfering with your design and art direction.It's also code for "I don't have much of a budget so anything will do, until you strike gold in which case I'll begin to become overbearing".It's annoying AF, almost makes one want to just go back to permanent employment.
- Annoying. It sets the expectation your work is not worth paying for.
- Annoying AF. If I wanted it just for my portfolio I’d have asked you
- Looking for ‘Nothing complicated’ is also annoying.
- It's nonsense from people who don't value what you do. It's not up to someone else to decide what is good for my portfolio - else I wouldn't have to curate it so pointedly - it's up to me. Just as it's up to me to set my prices and others to recognise that I know what I am worth - which is never nothing.
- Blind
- Annoying.
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