Sloan Images University » a Pay-It-Forward resource for photographers of all levels!

Yes, folks, it’s a rant!

but seriously, folks how many of you out there are bartering for NOTHING in RETURN (in all reality)?

STOP IT!

Doing so degrades the industry, your name, your brand — oh how the list goes on. And just as your “business” has expenses, so does “that “model‘s” business.” Your camera didn’t come free of charge and neither should the images you create for a model.

Right or wrong, I blogged about my frustrations with the ever growing number of inquiries re: modeling portfolios. — or FREE modeling portfolios.

If you aren’t getting business, engaging in shooting for free with sub-par models likely won’t get you anywhere — to grow, you need great models as well as incredible photographic integrity. Models that are incredible work with incredible photographers for a reason. They can identify and seek out quality imagery.

If you need images for your portfolio, mentor sessions or seminars may be a way to go about it (yes you need to invest in those too), and there are other ways, too; but shooting for free very rarely gets you anywhere but feeling abused and taken advantage of.

So many images out of these “free” sessions I see going up on Facebook are really bad, and for many reasons.

the model lacked skill (very evidently)
there was a lack of hair and makeup skill
the photography was just plain bad
the photography was “okay” but the post processing was “beginner” and not overly legit.
there was little attention paid to clothing choices, location, light, etc.
etc.
etc.

And the worst thing I see about all these sessions is that they are labeled as “FREE” or in exchange for portfolio images, Sally allowed me to photograph her, etc. Please.. all that means is you got ABUSED and USED.

Don’t shoot for free… those willing to invest in YOU will also invest in quality hair and make-up and pay special attention to great clothing choices for the event. In short… the images will rock if you allow them to.

Believe in yourself and your clients will believe in you as well.

Over and out!