What will drive me away from photography
📸 Shooting People for Free: A Surprisingly Bad Idea
Let me clarify that title before the cops show up—I'm talking about photography. Shooting people with a camera. For free. Which, honestly, should come with a warning label.
So you decide to be a generous, creative soul. You offer someone a free shoot. Maybe you want to build your portfolio, try out a new concept, or just help a friend who “really needs a few headshots for LinkedIn.” Seems harmless, right?
Wrong.
Here’s what often actually happens:
1. Free = "It’s Not That Serious"
When people aren’t paying, the shoot magically transforms in their head from “a professional collaboration” to “that random thing I might do after lunch.” Suddenly, you’re no longer a skilled creative—they think you're just some bored camera goblin desperate for attention. 🙃
2. The Last-Minute Cancelation Olympics
You’ve blocked off your day. Cleaned your gear. Maybe even scouted a beautiful golden-hour location. Then—ding—a text:
“Hey! Can’t make it today. Something came up!! 😅 Rain check??”
Sure, no problem. I’ll just go cry in my camera bag and explain to my family why I cancelled a lunch with them
3. The Concept Switcheroo
You plan a sunset shoot with warm golden hour vibe and they arrive in odd clothes , late with another idea altogether - once again, no apology
Sure, why not? I brought my lighting kit, lens wipes, and an existential crisis.
4. Tardy Like It’s a Talent
“You there?”
“Just parking.”
“On my way.”
“Five minutes!”
“I swear I just left the house.”
By the time they arrive, you’ve gone through all five stages of grief and the lighting’s gone from golden hour to pitches of Mordor.
I had one lady organize an MUA - book me … turn up an hour and a half late with zero apology - told the MUA (who was on time) she wanted to shoot two makeup looks and then commented that she had to leave in 50 minutes for another shoot
5. Communication Skills of a Potato
Ghosting, vague messages, replying two days later with “omg sorry!”—free shoots often come with the kind of communication that would make a dial-up modem blush.
If you ask when or where they’d like to shoot, the answers are usually:
“Whenever works!” (then you give them a date/time and find out they can only shoot on Sunday afternoons) _
“Totally chill either way!”
“I’m free...ish?”
Perfect. Very helpful. Let me just channel my psychic powers.
🧠 So... Why Do We Even Bother?
Honestly? Sometimes you meet absolute gems—people who show up on time, know what they want, and respect the craft. It is those dear souls that get me out carting 40kg of gear to shoots.
Eventually, most photographers learn that “free” too often means “free of commitment, effort, and common courtesy.” and running into enough of them - can burn out anyone.
💡 Pro Tips (for my fellow camera warriors):
Draft a quick agreement or at least get everything in text form agreed to by them
Vet people the way you’d vet a flatmate.
If someone flakes once, assume they’ll do it again.
Only shoot for free if you want to, not because you feel guilty.
Give people the shots they want … IF … they are also giving you the shots YOU want - I have an inspo file I send to people asking for shoots and nothing proceeds now until they commit to one of the inspo Ideas.
In conclusion: shooting people (for free) is a minefield. Enter at your own risk. Or better yet—charge them. Even if it’s just enough to cover the emotional damage.
Can you tell I’m ill with flu and swamped with edits? LOL