The Phoblographer

Photography: Think Simpler

Craigslist Rant: Don't Undervalue Your Photography

without comments

Some of you reading this blog may get your gigs off of Craigslist in addition to referrals and usual clients. Take a look at this one posting. It’s been copied above for you as a screenshot so you can click it and read even when it dies. Analysis after the jump.

The posting, which will only compensate the photographer with photos and networking says,

“I’m a luxury designer with a shoot scheduled for Tuesday with a major international supermodel. The model is such a global name that we are looking for a photographer, make up artist and hair person on 1/4 @ noon.

Please send links to your work for consideration, this will be a product shoot and we have a stunning art gallery to shoot in however if the photographer has a studio we are open to that as well. Please note this is to build your book or possibly submit as a story to a magazine , the model is a international campaign girl. We need people with a very high taste level along with a vintage quality.

I look forward to hearing from you and Happy New Year!”

So what’s wrong with this?

1. If you have the budget for an “international supermodel” then you can more than afford to pay a photographer supermodel prices. No one with lighting, good DSLRs, strobes and software is going to do this just for networking purposes and to build a portfolio.

2. International campaign girls are paid very well. Did I mention that already?

3. Possibly selling the story to a magazine won’t necessarily compensate you for your expenses, time or efforts.

4. This is basically the equivalent of someone saying, “I’ll pay you in free drinks.” Free drinks unfortunately won’t pay my bills. Additionally, I’ve met photographers that don’t drink because of their religion.

5. Product photography is very, very specific and requires fine skills and editing.

6. Your make-up artist and hair people should also be well compensated to work with a supermodel.

7. College students won’t give you the quality you need nor can they usually afford the cameras required for a gig like this.

There is tons wrong with this ad and there are lots of scammers and lowballers on craigslist that do this. Recently, photographers have been outcrying about this.

Bottom line: Don’t undervalue yourself. You worked hard to get where you are and to learn what you did.

Pin It

Related posts:

  1. My Favorites Images From Being a Celebrity Photographer

Written by Chris Gampat

January 5th, 2010 at 9:00 am

Posted in Photography

Tagged with , , , , , ,

«
»
  • http://theslamdunktrove.blogspot.com slamdunk

    Excellent insights.

    I think your advice of simply taking work and undervaluing your services is applicable in all fields of self-work.

    • http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat

      Couldn’t agree more. But also, it’s really messed up that this has been allowed to go rampant on Craigslist for photographers. We’re only now outcrying against it all.

  • http://third-day-design.com Matthew Novak

    I think you make a lot of great points but, this has been said over and over and over.. the sad par tis the poster most likely did not read this, nor did they care if they did.

    I would like all the people like yourself, who take the time to say what’s right get together and figure out a solution. What is it?

    Is there way to get craigslist to police this more. It seems to be a problem that the gigs section gives you the option when making a post to select: “pay” or “no pay” so by policy I guess folks should be allowed by policy to post their crappy trades on the gigs.

    Maybe you can start a petition on your blog, and if enough designers and photographers and talent sign it Craigslist woudl be willing to fix the system that is lowering the wage for skilled artists. I could maybe code something up if you want to shoot me an email to discuss further options

    • http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat

      Just an FYI, Matt and I are going to work on this.

  • http://unpaidgig.blogspot.com UnpaidGig

    Bravo! I linked to you on unpaidgig.blogspot.com, I hope you don’t mind…

  • Terry Field

    I wish you would stop the ranting. Craigslist is a freebee kind of thing. The people who are looking to pay cheap rates are not advertising agencies and could never ever relate to the fees charged by real professionals. And, if some photographers are willing to work for those cheap rates, let them do it without the ranting.

    There has been, is, and always will be people who will photograph for nothing in return. It shouldn’t concern you if you are comfortable with your own talent and business skills. Craigslist isn’t going to put you on the map, no matter how loud you scream.

    • http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat

      Points well taken Terry, but you’d be surprised who advertises on there.

  • http://www.vikranttunious.com vikrant tunious

    I absolutely agree with you, there are so many scammers on craigslist which is unbeleiveble…these people need to respect our work..

  • http://www.davidkerryhannan.com David

    While I agree with the point that Chris makes pertaining the fee Vs. effort put into a shoot (of any kind), I too, agree with Terry.

    There are probably thousands of college students either still studying or just graduated from FIT or SVA that would jump on this – and maybe have some raw talent behind the lens. If you feel the ad to be cheap, don’t respond to the ad.

    If photographer is your primary source of income, I can see how this would rattle you. But like me, who shoots weddings/portraits/engagements “on the side”, I pay little credence to ads like this one on CL – 99% of CL ads are legit, and around the budget that most of us would work at.

  • Josh Sterrett

    I have to agree with the later posts.
    In this market and this day and age; having options to be able to gain experience working projects and networking are important for the new people wanting to someday break into the field.

    I’m not sure I’d be trusting of THIS particular add as it seems a bit sketchy for the points you mentioned however I WOULD be interested in other possible tit-for-tat gigs that allow for networking and experience.

  • Natalie

    I just recently had this situation with Zooey Magazine. It’s probably them. They have a huge budget and then switch photographers every month so that they never have to pay one. Their stylists and MUAs work for free as well. I said “no thank you”.