Influencer "Collabs" the Death of Your Photography Career
A Shel Silverstein inspired story to help the photographer understand their value
The struggling photographer should know there are two distinct types of unpaid photoshoots. Video friends, this includes you also! I’ll break it down, each one of them, after the very short fairytale below. BTW, yes it’s very inspired by Shel Silverstein!
THE FIRST TYPE OF FREE PHOTOSHOOT/VIDEO
Have you heard of influencers asking to “collaborate” on a shoot? It’s often a code word, a dishonest way of saying it, for free work? The word “collaboration” was once beautiful in its own right before the modern-day influencers took advantage.
When an idea comes from an outside source, it benefits them the most. It’s OK to help people but you should help yourself first. Your job is to help your portfolio so that others may hire you for the job. Helping others get what they need first, means you’re taking time away from building your perfect portfolio.
let’s consider the other type of unpaid photoshoot/video shoot next…
THE SECOND OPTION, IS A GOOD UNPAID SHOOT
I’m going to ask you to influence your career so that good jobs come your way! Here’s the main difference.
The “collab” shoot is the idea of someone else, and it’ll benefit them the most. A test shoot is something that comes from the mind of a director/photographer and it’ll help your portfolio the most. It’s the most equitable type of project because:
The photographer or director is the leader of the project. It is their vision that will push the project to a successful point, bring on the right crew, and lead you from pre-production to post.
You’ll find a team that needs the same type of project in their books. You’ll all work together and the energy is clean. Everyone works toward the same end goal with you as the leader, which helps everyone benefit. It’s honest work, it’s transparent work.
The first example is dishonest. They hide “Hey I don’t want to pay for your time and talent, so I’m going to call it a collaboration in hopes you don’t wake up”. That is dishonest and you must walk away from it.
Fill your book with good energy, good visuals, and people who work on equality. Yes, there is always free work in artistry but it must be with the right people, working on the right projects. Here is a preliminary guideline to help you decide if it’s a good free shoot or something you should avoid.
Where did the idea come from? Who proposed the project? You or someone else?
Will shooting this project for free move you closer to your goal or away from your goal?
Will shooting this project slow down any progress you’ve been working on? If so, is it worth it?
Does the person asking you have a history of taking advantage of creatives? One way to tell is, they keep jumping from photographer/videographer every other shoot. Ask yourself, why they can’t keep the same team around.
How does your body feel when you think about this project? Do you get a tightness in the chest or a happy butterfly feeling in your belly? Your body will often know before you accept the truth.
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