The Life and Times of An Upcoming Photographer
In a previous post, I discussed how it was important that photographers in our industry need to value our work and our industry in order to be paid what we deserve for our work. I echoed the sentiments of Rob Haggart, former Director of Photography for Men’s Journal and Outside Magazine and author of A Photo Editor, who wrote an article that essentially stressed how photographers needed to stop accepting $200 assignments. Part of the problem is, for upcoming photographers, the $200 gigs are all they can get. There doesn’t seem to be any way possible to get those well-paying assignments, and for many who are new to the scene, that can be very real. Trying to build a portfolio from scratch isn’t easy, and while I offered tips in past posts, it may appear easier said than done. However, this circular logic is the reason the photography industry is suffering a downward spiral in the first place. This can all be resolved simply by saying, “no.”
This can be extremely difficult, especially when you notice the cobwebs in your wallet and your stomach is growling – the internal debate about sacraficing pride to do a low-paying gig seems ongoing. However, as a community, we must stay strong and hold our ground. It’s a matter of principle: unlike other industries, the photography business isn’t compensated by an hourly rate. Instead, we should be rewarded for our efficiency and timeliness. On top of that, there’s a certain amount of time spent in post-processing that the client doesn’t see. This all boils down to the client’s ability to understand the value of our business and what goes into the process. Without this, there comes a hard-fought battle to try to educate, and while some attempts to do so may be successful, often times the client doesn’t see anything more than a diva pushing a button on an expensive piece of equipment. It’s enough to make you beat your head against the wall!
Another thing to consider: What is one thing that you overlook by working on a low-paying job? You spend your time to travel to the shoot, conduct the shoot, and post-production of the shoot. In turn, this absorbs valuable time you could be using to invest in marketing your business, or missing out on an opportunity for a higher-paying job. Time spent marketing is just as valuable as earning money, since you will be putting your name out there for all to see. This is nearly as valuable as the concept of “money not spent is money saved”. By saying “no” to jobs that don’t value your work, you gain the ability to network and pick up better paying jobs that could better benefit your portfolio and client list.
Practice in the mirror if you have to, but saying “no” is your most valuable tool. Clearly, you can’t pass on every opportunity that comes your way – how else would you stay in business? But by accepting the jobs that either pay what you deserve or will benefit your portfolio (or both, hopefully), you will only benefit your career.
Say it with me: “No.”
Until next time,
- Patrick