$200 Assignments... Again

Posted on 3/25/2010 by Julia Dudnik Stern | Printable Version | Comments (1)

An old debate regarding working for too little money is once more making the blog rounds, courtesy of A Photo Editor. While what one will and will not accept as payment for one’s services remains a worthy topic of discussion—much like the pricing of stock images—the pervasive notion of banding together against low-paying jobs (or image prices) does not hold water, says Dan Heller. The industry analyst’s economic perspective offers insight into why cooperation does not make economic sense and is not an effective method of influencing industry practices.


Copyright © 2010 Julia Dudnik Stern. The above article may not be copied, reproduced, excerpted or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author. All requests should be submitted to Selling Stock at 10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 162, Bethesda, MD 20817, phone 301-461-7627, e-mail: wvz@fpcubgbf.pbz

Comments

  • Bill Bachmann Posted Mar 25, 2010
    I shoot mainly assignment work, and much of what I shoot is then sent to stock. So both are important to me.

    But here we are talking about assignment work. ANYONE WHO ACCEPTS A JOB FOR $200 IS WORTH EVERY PENNY OF IT!

    You can not... I repeat NOT -- stay in business if you give work away. I have seen many, many photographers come & go in my years in the business. Most who get out do it for lack of any business sense, rather than lack of talent. If you devalue your work, the client will also. I expect them to treat me with respect and they won't do that if you are a "K-Mart" photographer!

    Each and every job has to have extra money for studio expense, car expense, equipment purchase, insurance, computers, programs, supplies, phone, food, rent, etc etc etc You will NOT be in business if you don't say "No" to both low paying assignment and stock prices. If they tell you it is good for experience or for contacts, tell them those things don't buy anything at the grocery store!

    I want there to be a career of "Photographer" when I am gone from this Earth... it seems clients are trying to price each of the young & starting photographers OUT of any business possibility.

    I feel very good about myself when I say "No, I can NOT do that assignment for that." A footnote -- more than half the time they come back with more money! They are TRYING to get it for less.

    www.billbachmann./com

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