How To Stop Doing Photoshoots For Free
Last week I asked for your help on what you were struggling with as fashion photographers. You all pulled through, and shared SO much with me - for that I'm so grateful. It can be hard to think of topics to cover every week, so hearing directly from you what you need will inform these newsletters, and all my Instagram and blog content!
One of the biggest questions that I noticed coming up again and again was: “How do I stop just shooting for free? Doing test after test after test?”
That's a really good question. I can be really easy to get stuck in a never ending cycle of “portfolio building" or “testing." Don't get me wrong, I think that “shooting for free” in the name of building your portfolio, or creating editorial work is essential for all photographers. The shoots that I do off my own back are almost always the ones that I get the most fulfilment and joy out of. However, we've got to pay bills, too!
So how do you break that cycle?
I know this sounds really, really basic, but hear me out.
You just stop shooting for free.
When I was first starting, people would approach me by sending a message or email that sounded something like this:
“Hi Olivia. I found your portfolio and I love your work! I'd love to do a shoot with you. Let me know if you'd be interested?”
At first, I'd hesitantly reply something like: “Hey! I'd love to shoot with you. What sort of thing did you have in mind?” and it was almost like they could smell that I was insecure in myself, and didn't dare ask for money.
But eventually, my confidence grew and I began to reply something like this:
“Hey! Thanks so much, I'd love to work with you. A shoot starts at £X! Let me know if you'd be keen?"
There honestly isn't much else that I can advise you, other than you need to begin to put your foot down a bit more. Believe in yourself and your abilities a bit more, and stop agreeing to every single shoot.
It might be that when you first start, you're charing low rates. That's ok, I don't think that everyone should be charing high rates when they first get started. But if you're struggling to ask for money, start with something really small. Whatever you feel is fair and begins to force you to push yourself to trade money for your time. As you grow in confidence and skill, you can begin to charge more. If you're providing a service, you deserve to be paid, and most of the time, people will respect that.
All of this stuff takes confidence and time, but once you get there, you'll never look back. And the free shoots that you DO do will be because you're really excited to do to them. Not because you feel like you need to.
