DESPERATE PHOTOGRAPHER - Will Work for FOOD and FREE EXPOSURE

There is a special place in hell for anyone who thinks that asking someone to work 'for free exposure' is morally ok.

There's an obvious camera pun in there somewhere...

Photography is a paid profession like any other. However, unlike most professions, photographers and artists are often plagued by shady clients who seem to think that payment in 'free exposure' is ok.

Here's my latest story

Last Friday I went into the city to relax with a bit of late afternoon street photography after a long work week.

I had been shooting for a couple of hours when my feet started to hurt, so I decided to rest at a nearby cafe and enjoy a pick-me-up cappuccino.

I was sipping on my coffee and looking through some photos on my camera when I was approached by a man in a cheap, grey suit.

He introduced himself as *Raj, and asked if I was a photographer. I told him that I dabbled a little.

He then said that he was having a large graduation party at a club for his niece and her friends next weekend, and whether I would be interested in being the photographer at the event.

Now, I've been in the industry long enough to be able to spot red flags from a mile away, and his flag was waving like a a red cape to a bull.

So decided to have a bit of fun.

I introduced myself, and asked why his niece's friends couldn't shoot the event instead.

He told me that they they would be too busy celebrating, having fun and probably getting drunk, and he needed someone who would be able to document the event professionally.

I told him that I don't usually work on weekends, but I gave him my starting hourly rate for "me and my professional camera gear" - in case he was serious about his offer.

"Oh, wow! Are you being funny?!" he asked, incredulously.

"That's more than I make per hour, and I'm an accountant!".

He said that he was hoping I would see this as a great opportunity for some 'free exposure' as well some delicious Indian food.

"My niece has many friends, and they are all very popular on Instagram and TikTok", he said. "I would personally make sure they all mentioned your name if they liked and shared any of your photos from the event".

At this point I was trying extremely hard to be as professional as I could.

So I smiled at him and said that while his generous offer was 'tempting', my answer was going to be a "Hard no".

However, I said that his request had given me an idea for my next blog, and whether he could spare a couple of minutes so I could learn why he thought that I would be so eager to jump at his 'opportunity'.

I was expecting him to walk away at this point. However, for some reason he agreed to sit down.

"What was it about me - a person minding their own business, drinking coffee and playing with their camera - that screamed "I am willing to offer my time, services, and equipment without any financial reward?"." I asked.

He said that all of the kids in his house were crazy about taking pictures of their lives for social media. "The only thing that mattered to them were followers and likes", he said.

"I saw someone sitting in a cafe with a camera and backpack, and I assumed that you were also into that".

"Don't let my hat and long hair fool you", I said. "You are being rather pretentious, as I am probably closer in age to you than to any of the kids you keep mentioning".

I then told him that I am indeed a photographer, and have been for many years. And while I occasionally use social media to share some of my work, I do not sell myself for free exposure. I also reminded him that being an accountant, he should know that the rate I gave him was not at all unreasonable.

He nodded and smiled sheepishly.

"Could you show me some of your work? He asked.

Now, it's important that I preface this, by saying that I am well aware that my follower count is absolutely pathetic by social media popularity standards.

However, it was apparently more than enough to make a big impression on Raj, who pointed out that it was several times more than his niece, and probably as much as all of her friends' accounts combined.

In light of this new information, I said;

"So if you think that my social media presence is so impressive, then would you mind doing my taxes for free, and in return I will be more than happy to mention your name to my followers over the next few days?".

He laughed and said that he got my point. He then apologised for being so rude, and wished me all the best.

I shook my head, finished my coffee and left.

The Takeaway

The above encounter got me thinking.

Is this really how the rest of society sees photographers?

Do we really appear as shallow creatures, happy to whore ourselves out for a few more followers and clicks on social media?

At what point did the act of walking around with a camera go from being something someone does for fun, to being seen as a social media whore, in search of new material for our next dopamine hit?

Or am I reading too much into this, and Raj was just an a**hole?

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Happy shooting!

*Name changed in order to protect the innocent, and for being unworthy to have their real name mentioned in this blog.