Assisting a photographer, signed agreement etc?

[Mike Hoyer]

I'm asking this on behalf of my brother, who has been asked to do some work for another photographer. It's a bit of a weird situation, this guy is one of our biggest rivals in one of the motorsport series we cover...


Anyway, I work full time for an agency, and the other guy is basically just himself, but has people working for him occasionally. He's given my brother the odd few jobs in the past couple of weeks, which is a bit of an awkward situation, and one I can't help think he's concocted deliberately... but anyway.

In a couple of weeks there is a big race that we'll both be covering. I'll be working for my boss, we do the official series photos and work for several drivers and teams. The other guy can't make it, but will be sending my brother to cover several other drivers, with the promise of £xxx worth of work.

Now, like I said I'm not 100% happy with this situation, but I don't want my brother to end up disappointed. This guy has a reputation for not paying people if he's not happy with the work they've done. Most of them are keen amateurs who happily jump at the chance, with no official agreement.

I'm thinking there should be some sort of signed, written agreement or contract to ensure this doesn't happen, what sort of thing do you suggest?

[DocFrankenstein]

sign the contract before you pick up the camera, ensuring you're paid.

You might think of him as your "biggest rival", he might think of you as a fellow pro because he has move work than he can handle and throw you a couple of jobs here and there.

Or he may think you a fool and try to use you...

Either way the contract will take care of it.

[PhotosGuy]

This guy has a reputation for not paying people if he's not happy with the work they've done. Most of them are keen amateurs who happily jump at the chance, with no official agreement. Make sure that your contract & invoice state that no rights are conveyed until you/he are paid in full.