Does the Design Firm work for Free?

Received a call and the subsequent email the other day from a design firm. The caller had been referred to me by a client so the design firm knew they were calling a professional photographer, that is, someone who makes their living by SELLING photography. It's a business folks.

I doubt that the design firm is doing their work for free, yet they seem to have no problem asking for my work for free.

I sent a professional, polite reply that included the rates I'd charge for providing files for the project. Haven't heard back from them yet.

It never ceases to amaze me how people and organizations seem to think that photographers require no compensation for our work. Have they all gone to the Free Milk and Cow school of economics?

The funny thing is they will no doubt get what they want for free. Quality is probably not at the very top of their requirements. The truth is their goal is to merely fill some wall space.

This will no doubt reinforce their belief that there is no reason to have to pay for photography.

Bill F

http://picasaweb.google.com/faulknerstudios

Member said:

Member said:

DESIGN COMPANY, LLC

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RE: opening in Las Cruses, NM.

My name is ; I am a representative of Design Company, LLC, a interior design and decor company, based out of , . We have been contracted by to handle the interior decor for the new Las Cruses location. In order to guarantee that the new reflects the spirit of the town and history of the area, I am gathering photographic memorabilia from all the different organizations. These items will be placed on display within .

I am asking for your help. I need high resolution jpg files or digital images that I can print in my graphics department. Then we will nicely frame and Display them though out the restaurant. will cover shipping cost on any items that you choose to send. If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at 1-800- - or by sending an email.

But wait... I think you are missing the superb and unequalled advantages of having your work exposed to all those well-heeled diners in the restaurant!!!

--
Michael P. Young
Capturing the Coolness of Life

Those well heeled diners who will either completely ignore the work while eating and overimbibing the alcoholic beverages or they will see your name, call you up and say, "Hey, how about making a print that size for my office or home. I can't pay you(actually means WON'T pay you)but I'll let you sign it at the bottom so people can see whose it is. And you can get great satisfaction knowing that people are seeing your work in my office too."

RE: Studio redesign in Las Cruses, NM.

My name is Bill F,

My Photography studio based out of Las Cruces, NM, is in in the process of changing interior design to highlight our large print presentations. In order to guarantee that the new design reflects the spirit of the town and history of the area and the studio, I am presenting design opportunities for all the different design organizations. The design will provide a contextual background for our own presentations, standing as a great showcase for your own talents.

I am asking for your help. I need a high profile design with some light architectural plans which my assistants will nicely implement. These design will comprehensively extended from the entrance to throughout the office and shooting cove. On opening day we will have a party with nice Hors D'oeuvres and wine - you are invited . If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at 1-800- - or by sending an email.

Meh....

The worst is when the are absolutely F^%$ing clueless with regard to their ignorance (rather self fulfilling eh?)

V

reads like a letter to the mom and pop shooter that just happen to have a few snaps lying around... or a local publication

William Faulkner said:

William Faulkner said:

William Faulkner said:

DESIGN COMPANY, LLC

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

RE: opening in Las Cruses, NM.

My name is ; I am a representative of Design
Company, LLC, a interior design and decor company, based out of
, . We have been contracted by to handle
the interior decor for the new Las Cruses location. In order to
guarantee that the new reflects the spirit of the
town and history of the area, I am gathering photographic memorabilia
from all the different organizations. These items will be placed on
display within .

I am asking for your help. I need high resolution jpg files or
digital images that I can print in my graphics department. Then we
will nicely frame and Display them though out the restaurant. will cover shipping cost on any items that you choose to send.
If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at
1-800- - or by sending an email.

Click to expand...

verve said:

RE: Studio redesign in Las Cruses, NM.

My name is Bill F,

My Photography studio based out of Las Cruces, NM, is in in the
process of changing interior design to highlight our large print
presentations. In order to guarantee that the new design reflects the
spirit of the town and history of the area and the studio, I am
presenting design opportunities for all the different design
organizations. The design will provide a contextual background for
our own presentations, standing as a great showcase for your own
talents.

I am asking for your help. I need a high profile design with some
light architectural plans which my assistants will nicely implement.
These design will comprehensively extended from the entrance to
throughout the office and shooting cove. On opening day we will have
a party with nice Hors D'oeuvres and wine - you are invited . If
you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at
1-800- - or by sending an email.

Click to expand...

this is brilliant. he should send that over...

bm bradley said:

bm bradley said:

bm bradley said:

bm bradley said:

DESIGN COMPANY, LLC

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

RE: opening in Las Cruses, NM.

My name is ; I am a representative of Design
Company, LLC, a interior design and decor company, based out of
, . We have been contracted by to handle
the interior decor for the new Las Cruses location. In order to
guarantee that the new reflects the spirit of the
town and history of the area, I am gathering photographic memorabilia
from all the different organizations. These items will be placed on
display within .

I am asking for your help. I need high resolution jpg files or
digital images that I can print in my graphics department. Then we
will nicely frame and Display them though out the restaurant. will cover shipping cost on any items that you choose to send.
If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at
1-800- - or by sending an email.

Click to expand...

--

Click to expand...

It works the same way with writers. I do both, so I get both barrels: "You'll get GREAT exposure," or, and this one is a triple hoot, "As we grow, we'll pay fees and carry you along with us." Oddly enough, these people cannot understand the concept of supporting oneself as a freelance PJ for more than 40 years before they came on the scene. I don't spell out my answer, but if I'm in an answering mood (seldom these days), it is a simple sets of initials: GFY.

--
Charlie Self
http://www.charlieselfonline.com

Marvellous way of decorating a new restaurant which, presumably, so that the decor remains fresh and interesting, will be made over every year?

I'd suggest you offer them the loan of perhaps twenty prints, to be sent when you receive a deposit of $2,000 - which would be returnable at $100 for each one you receive back within 15 months of the date you despatch them.

That's reasonable, isn't it?

Peter
--
Peter - on the green island of Ischia
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde

bm bradley said:

bm bradley said:

bm bradley said:

bm bradley said:

DESIGN COMPANY, LLC

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

RE: opening in Las Cruses, NM.

My name is ; I am a representative of Design
Company, LLC, a interior design and decor company, based out of
, . We have been contracted by to handle
the interior decor for the new Las Cruses location. In order to
guarantee that the new reflects the spirit of the
town and history of the area, I am gathering photographic memorabilia
from all the different organizations. These items will be placed on
display within .

I am asking for your help. I need high resolution jpg files or
digital images that I can print in my graphics department. Then we
will nicely frame and Display them though out the restaurant. will cover shipping cost on any items that you choose to send.
If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at
1-800- - or by sending an email.

Click to expand...

--

Click to expand...

Yeah, we get them regularly at our newspaper. I explain to them that, as a general rule, our editorial photos are not for sale for commercial exhibition. As we do not get model releases (not needed for editorial) we have no authority to release the photos to them.

Jim Dean

Charles Self said:

It works the same way with writers. I do both, so I get both barrels:
"You'll get GREAT exposure," or, and this one is a triple hoot, "As
we grow, we'll pay fees and carry you along with us." Oddly enough,
these people cannot understand the concept of supporting oneself as a
freelance PJ for more than 40 years before they came on the scene. I
don't spell out my answer, but if I'm in an answering mood (seldom
these days), it is a simple sets of initials: GFY.

Click to expand...

Yeah, fielding one of these myself at the moment. Unfortunately, my client, who's worth pleasing, wants me to cooperate. Perhaps they'll pay? Nah... "The exposure will be good for both of us. Can't I see that?" (read with sarcasm).
--
jrbehm
http://www.jeffbehm.com

While we are on this thread, as some of us know, Charles Lewis is a proponent of exhibits at places like banks, malls, etc. Do people really, or do you all have any experience with people actually viewing and then calling you for photo sessions at your studio and booking?

Charles Lewis? Written in 1987?

"This will be good for you".

Really? Tell me how it will be good for me? Break it down!
Show me why/how this will create a positive ROI.

V

28to70 said:

While we are on this thread, as some of us know, Charles Lewis is a
proponent of exhibits at places like banks, malls, etc. Do people
really, or do you all have any experience with people actually
viewing and then calling you for photo sessions at your studio and
booking?

Click to expand...

Hi,

I've had much of my work published, some of it paid but most of it freebies. I've had so much of this so called exposure that I am starting to feel the need to put some clothes on - heck, even Paris Hilton wears panties these days!

I don't mind giving away the occasional photo if I really feel it will benefit me or if it is for a good cause (such as a recent DVD back cover where all the profits were going to the ASPCA - a worthwhile charity.) I am also currently sending a few photos to a local area free tourist newspaper for potential use on their cover. As they don't sell the paper, I don't feel bad about it and I am looking to get my nature photos out there right now. But I did turn down the recent opportunity to give away photos for a Mexican wrestling documentary that they will be selling for profit. I am already well known for that and don't want to be bothered with it if I am not getting paid (if not cash, at least in product - trade for pay ok as I have means of selling them)

I know a lot of photographers do let restaurants display their work for free with the arrangement that the restaurant can sell the print and take a commission and pay the photographer the rest. Also they require the restaurant to display their web site address along with the print. In that case the photos are on loan and you can make arrangement for them to display them for a limited amount of time after which you can pick them up. You can even charge them a deposit to cover your printing and framing expenses. Make them sign a contract and also specify that the photos must be returned in the same condition as they were received or they must pay for the print. This is best done if the restaurant is local so that you can be 100% sure that they are being honest and paying you your share. I haven't done that yet, but it does sound like a good plan - especially in scenic tourist areas.

A couple of years ago, I had a design firm contact me about my Mexican wrestling photos that they wanted to display in a restaurant. I researched some prices on Alamy and offered them for what I felt was a fair price. I never heard back from them after sending the email with the prices and I even emailed them a couple of times after that. On the phone prior to quoting them a price, they told me that the restaurant was considering downloading pics off the internet, printing them, and then hanging them up. ILLEGAL!! Plus they will look like garbage, or at least my tiny pics would (I make sure of that when I post them - anything larger than 3 inches falls apart and even at 3 inches it looks crummy.) I made sure in my final email to tell them that if I found out that any of my pictures were used that way that I would sue them. I even went so far as to take down the page off the net where they found out about my work in the first place.

You know the design firms are not working for free, so why do us photographers always get stuck giving our work away. The lame of excuse of "exposure" is getting really old with me. People do die of "Exposure", no money no food means you die. If they want it for free, then let them get some other stupid sucker to give it to them.

Sorry for the long rant, this is one subject that really makes me angry. Good luck in your dealings with the design firm and do let us know the final outcome. I am really curious to see how it pans out.
--
http://www.nuclearjackalope.com/dorothylee

28to70 said:

While we are on this thread, as some of us know, Charles Lewis is a
proponent of exhibits at places like banks, malls, etc. Do people
really, or do you all have any experience with people actually
viewing and then calling you for photo sessions at your studio and
booking?

Click to expand...

I did this successfully - in about 1988-90. I'm not convinced it would have the same impact today, but perhaps it's time to try again. But 20 (omg!) years ago, it worked well and put my name in front of my chosen market in an entire city, many of whom were potential clients, which probably is not the case with the OP.
--
jrbehm
http://www.jeffbehm.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

It's author Harlan Ellison, his famous interview "Pay The Writer"
--
Galleries: http://www.dheller.net

“The sheer ease with which we can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster.” -- Ansel Adams