Craigslist from the other side (discuss)..... :)

Maybe a good discussion....what are your thoughts....is this the right way to break into the business of photography?

A few days back I posted a Craigslist Ad about a couple wanting to hire a free photographer for their upcoming wedding ( https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1176135 )
Now, here is one from the photographer side of the equation >>> https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1176135

Completely Free Wedding Photography
Yes, Free...Professional, experienced photographer looking for couples getting married within the next 30 to 60 days to update portfolio for new marketing materials. We are planning on doing at least one wedding completely free. If interested please respond with a picture, a little info about yourself and your wedding (date, location, number of guests...). Special consideration will be given to couples getting married at preferred locations and that have an interesting look. We hope to choose a lucky couple by Monday if possible.

I guess my first question is, if they want to update marketing material, wouldn't it be far more productive (and MUCH more cost effective) to simply use models?....not to mention, they could get the exact look they want at any location they want....or....if they are professional and experienced, wouldn't they have a whole portfolio of images to choose from that's constantly being updated as they perform new jobs?

Unfortunately, IMO, it's posts like these that devalue the photography industry. Even though this person is most likely quite new and has no portfolio to speak of, the majority of people who see things like this only see the "Free Photography" part. Of course, this person is free to post whatever they wish and give away as much as they would like.....but my point is that there are better ways to learn and build a portfolio without devaluing yourself or the craft.

Now, if I can only find the home builder who wants to update their marketing material and is willing to build me a completely free home to do so, I would be set

That's because this photographer believes that his portfolio will get him more jobs. I think he is better off to offer his service as a second shooter, for free. Maybe using couple of shots from the wedding for his portfolio. He or she is shooting for free anyway, why not being a second shooter. Less work involved. You can learn more. And you get some shots in return to be used on your portfolio.

Hello Wednesday, I've found your can of worms.

Why not creating a wedding photography mayhem??? Here, you can exchange services. The couples need photos for their wedding in order to do what...not sure. I am sure they need them for something important. And the photographers need materials for their portfolios. That makes as much sense as in model mayhem.....

I'm not terribly concerned. Granted, some people might see the "free photographer" ads and somehow get the impression that photography is just some thing that people are supposed to do for free. But I'd wager that most people still sort of understand that most photographers expect to get paid.

I highly suspect that most of the people looking for "free photographers" probably can't afford to pay a photographer anyway. Either that, or they can't tell the difference between a good picture and a bad picture, and subsequently don't care how good or bad the wedding photos are.

In either case, it doesn't seem like a big issue. If the client simply can't afford to pay money, then I don't see how that's hurting any professional photographers. They weren't going to be hiring the professional photographer in the first place. And if they simply don't care how bad the pictures are, then the extra quality provided by a pro isn't exactly WORTH anything to the client. So it's sort of the photographer's duty to seek out clients who DO want quality.

Having said that, you're probably right that doing free weddings probably isn't the smartest way to build up one's portfolio. But that's their business.

I just sort of doubt that free photographers are really hurting the industry all that much.

I tend to agree with you Clean Gene.. the people that can't afford good photographers are also usually looking for the best value. My experience has been this:

Customers whose budget allows for high-end photographers usually equates to customers that know what they're doing, are planning things out, know what they want and usually have the most realistic expectations.

Customers whose budget allows for middle-of-the-road (cost-wise) photographers usually equates to customers that have a good idea of what they're doing, have a grasp on their plans, but are usually a bit more up in the air for what they're looking for.

Customers whose budgets are lower for photographers usually equates to customers that are running around at the last minute, aren't usually as well educated, and usually this equates to customers that demand the most out of their photographers - whether or not it's realistic, etc - including looking for ways to cut corners, etc. These customers are (from my experience in talking to other wedding shooters, reading on forums, etc) the most difficult to deal with and please.

Thus, people giving it away are basically shooting themselves in the foot. Doesn't really affect me one bit. If someone sees their ad, applies, and doesn't get selected for some reason, then calls me, sees some of my stuff and decides they would really like to work with me but don't understand why I charge what I do, I have no problem working with that customer to educate them and let them know (in a friendly, educational, yet professional tone) the costs associated with running a successful photography business (not including the amount of time, effort and money that goes into getting to the point where someone could even be qualified to photograph a wedding).

If they come back and they understand where I'm coming from and they sign me, great. If they still press the issue of cost, etc, I gladly give them time to think things over, etc, and I let them know that while they're doing that, I'm not booked so if something comes along, too bad.

Actually, I have thought a few times that it would be wonderful to advertise a free shoot the day before the wedding (no way will I do a wedding free) where the couple acts as models and I get the time I need to do the shots I want to do. I've actually been toying around with the idea that I will have to have 2 hours some time before the wedding (day of or day before) where we go out and take photos with them already ready for the shoot.

I continually run into the "we're running late" and so the more setup shots with lighting and posing ends up being a no go. Maybe I'll see how that works in a contract/up my prices to do such a thing. I just know I can do some better shots but my time always gets pushed back for whatever else is going on in the wedding and the images suffer because of that.

Day before can be a pain, unless the b&g know about it in advance, have not scheduled anything for that day, have paid for tuxedo rentals for that (additional) day, etc. That being said, I like the idea in general.

TooManyShots wrote in post #14325852
Why not creating a wedding photography mayhem??? Here, you can exchange services. The couples need photos for their wedding in order to do what...not sure. I am sure they need them for something important. And the photographers need materials for their portfolios. That makes as much sense as in model mayhem.....

I know this is in jest, but the big difference is that a TFCD shoot doesn't work out well it's not really a big deal. But I wouldn't want someone practicing with my wedding.

TheBrick3 wrote in post #14327556
I know this is in jest, but the big difference is that a TFCD shoot doesn't work out well it's not really a big deal. But I wouldn't want someone practicing with my wedding.

And that's something else to consider -- what if whatever the person gives you is utter crap? You now have no images from your special day. I'd prefer to pay someone, at least then they're on the hook (unless the free wedding shooters are including guarantees that make them financially liable if anything goes wrong, which I sincerely doubt).

Mistabernie wrote in post #14327570
And that's something else to consider -- what if whatever the person gives you is utter crap? You now have no images from your special day. I'd prefer to pay someone, at least then they're on the hook (unless the free wedding shooters are including guarantees that make them financially liable if anything goes wrong, which I sincerely doubt).

I've shot one wedding in my life.

When I was first asked to do it, I declined, explaining that I was not a wedding photographer. The bride-to-be replied "Well, at least we'll still have the pictures from the disposable cameras we put on the tables, and hopefully some people will bring cameras to the ceremony".

Paying someone a lot of money simply wasn't an option for this couple. They ended up paying me an amount that many here would scoff at.

The bride and groom were absolutely ecstatic.

Paying someone simply isn't an option for everyone...

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14328236
I've shot one wedding in my life.

When I was first asked to do it, I declined, explaining that I was not a wedding photographer. The bride-to-be replied "Well, at least we'll still have the pictures from the disposable cameras we put on the tables, and hopefully some people will bring cameras to the ceremony".

Paying someone a lot of money simply wasn't an option for this couple. They ended up paying me an amount that many here would scoff at.

The bride and groom were absolutely ecstatic.

Paying someone simply isn't an option for everyone...

Yeah, there are definitely exceptions to most scenarios. The person I shot with on Friday is doing a 'event' for a friend that's getting married and has literally no budget. No ceremony photos, literally just a few formals at a reception-like thing afterwards. Literally 3-4 hours of coverage, if that. So she charged her like an event instead of a wedding, and she gave her a deal even at that.

Mistabernie wrote in post #14328259
Yeah, there are definitely exceptions to most scenarios. The person I shot with on Friday is doing a 'event' for a friend that's getting married and has literally no budget. No ceremony photos, literally just a few formals at a reception-like thing afterwards. Literally 3-4 hours of coverage, if that. So she charged her like an event instead of a wedding, and she gave her a deal even at that.

And if both parties are happy, the only people who'll be whining are those who wedding photographers who would never shoot such a wedding in the first place...

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14328236
I've shot one wedding in my life.

When I was first asked to do it, I declined, explaining that I was not a wedding photographer. The bride-to-be replied "Well, at least we'll still have the pictures from the disposable cameras we put on the tables, and hopefully some people will bring cameras to the ceremony".

Paying someone a lot of money simply wasn't an option for this couple. They ended up paying me an amount that many here would scoff at.

The bride and groom were absolutely ecstatic.

Paying someone simply isn't an option for everyone...

I'm sensitive to the fact that not every couple can hire a professional photographer just like every couple can't afford to hire a caterer. Instead of hiring a professional they solicit friends and family to fill in and help as needed and I think this is a wonderful thing for those who can't afford (or aren't willing) to hire professionals. On the other hand, there are so called "professional and experienced" photographers advertising to shoot a complete strangers wedding for completely free. In the vast majority of cases, they aren't just being good hearted and trying to help out a less fortunate couple......instead, they are trying to find an opportunity to learn and practice the craft of photography. IMO, that view is a large part of what devalues the art of photography.
From my viewpoint, it seems that so many people that want to learn the craft and get into the business think that the best way to do so is to offer free sessions, weddings, etc..... Are their other professions that exhibit this same attitude in the same magnitude?