Some Reasons Why Professional Photographers Can not Work Without Paid

If someone has told you this page, then most likely you have been asked to use single or multiple photos for free or with minimum compensation.
As a professional photographer, we often receive requests for free photos. In the perfect world, we would love to give a positive response and help, especially in projects or efforts that relate to education, social issues, and environmental preservation. It is fair to say in many cases, we hope we have had the time and resources to be able to do more to help, more than just sending the photos.
But unfortunately, these things are realities of life that we can not Respond, or if we respond, our answer is brief and does not have sufficient reason.
The situation may be different for each situation below, but we found several cases that continue to repeat itself, we have outlined below in order to communicate more clearly with you, hoping to avoid misunderstandings or inadvertently offend you.
We hope you can accept some of these points in a positive way like our goals. We sincerely hope that after you read this, we can re-discuss and build mutually beneficial relationships.
Photography Is Our LifeCreating photo interesting is how we live ourselves. If we give our photos for free, or too often respond to requests for photographs for free, we are unable to earn income.
We Support Movements Useful With PhotosMost of us willing to contribute their photos, sometimes even more, to support some of the movement. Often, we are participating directly in the projects we support through photos, or we already have relationships with key people involved in these projects. In other words, each of us can, and willing to provide the photographs without compensation on specific projects.
We are a Limited TimeIt is not practical for us to switch from supporting several projects for free, and then approve all requests for photographs for free. This is no more because of the time needed to respond to these requests, correspondence, prepare and send the files, and then conduct follow-up correspondence to find out how our images are used, and find out whether it meets the goal or not. Answer each request will take a lot of time, and time is always limited.
The excuse "We Have No Money" Often Difficult UnderstoodThe main reason behind the request for free image is usually a limited allocation of funds, which means that the petitioner argues the lack of funds allocation.
Such requests often come from organizations that have a lot of money on hand, be it the company went public, government agencies, enterprises, organizations or even non-governmental organizations. Often just by looking public statements or other documents, it is easy to see that the organization in question has more than enough funds to pay for a photographer is feasible, if they want to.
To deepen the problem, very often happens that of all the parties involved in a project, only the photographer who asked to work without pay. All other parties received compensation.
Given this fact, you may be able to understand why we are often ignored every time we hear "We Have No Money." The reasons may be a way to take advantage of people who easily manipulated.
We Have A Very Limited Allocation of FundsWith several exceptions, arguably photography a profession that is not too much money. We chose this path mostly because love of visual communication, fine arts, and the subject of a photograph of our specialty.
Increasing number of photographs that can be obtained via the internet lately, coupled with the reduced allocation of funds from the buyers photograph, will provide more pressure on our already less income is.
Moreover, to be a professional photographer requires no small cost.
Our profession requires a lot of tools basically. We routinely have to buy a camera, lenses, computers, software, storage media, and more. Sometimes damaged goods and should be repaired. We must make a copy of our data, because as simple as a cup of coffee the wrong place can remove the work for years. For us, investing in the essential tools and software require thousands of dollars every year, because we have to stay ahead in terms of new technology and the best methods.
Moreover, travel is a big part of our business. We have to spend lots of money for transportation, lodging, and travel expenses to another.
Certainly, and perhaps most importantly, the presence of a very large investment in time and experience for us to become proficient in what we do, is also a risk that too often we had to take. To take a picture alone may only need to push the camera button, but to create a photo is required skills, experience, and assessment.
So the conclusion is, although we understand and sympathize with the allocation of limited funds, from a practical standpoint, we were not able to provide a subsidy to every request.
Get "credit" No Means ManyDemand for free photos are usually also accompanied by a promise to give "credit" and "exposure", either in the form of a watermark, link, or perhaps mention specifically, instead of commercial reward.
There are two main problems with this.
First, get the credit is not compensated. In the end, we have produced the required photos, so the credit is automatically obtained. This is not something we expect from a third party.
Second, the credit can not pay the bills. As already written above, we work hard to generate the money necessary to invest more in photographic equipment, and to cover the costs of other businesses. Above that, we need to generate enough money to pay for basic needs like food, shelter, transportation, and others.
In short, to receive credit for a picture that we made it is a gift, not compensation, and credit is not a substitute for payment.
"You is the only photographer that make no sense"When we take the time to engage in correspondence with persons or parties who requested photos for free, sometimes the conversation turns into a conversation alleged rude to us, which basically claims that all the other photographers who have been contacted by a person or parties are very happy to provide photos for free, and for some reason, we are "the only photographer who does not make sense."
We know that this is not true.
We also know that there will be no photographers a reasonable and competent who will agree with the terms that make no sense. We are aware of the fact that some inexperienced photographers or people who just have a camera would probably agree to work without pay, but as there is a saying saying: "You get commensurate with what you pay for."
Perform Follow-UpOne thing that we usually experience is when we provide photos for free, we often do not receive the news, feedback, or follow-up that tells us the continuation of the event or project in question, whether the goal (if any) is reached, and the benefits (if any ) Our photo of the project.
Often, we do not get answers to your e-mail that we send to get the news further, until, of course, when someone needs a free photo again.
At a time when we agreed to work without pay, you must be easy to provide follow-up and tell us how the project continues. Few anticipated that both will be sustainable in making us feel more willing to take the time and provided the photographs again in the future.