It Will Be Good Exposure

I just had another request of:

It will be good exposure

Basically they want free work.

  1. My standard policy is usually yes, if you are also working for free.
  2. My standard policy is usually yes, if it is a cause that I really believe into.
  3. My standard policy is always asking for credit...

And that got me thinking (these days, I need something to provoke into thinking.) What if we change the parameters just slightly:

"It will be good exposure" but the request comes from a huge for profit organization like CNN, NBC, BBC... with a 3 minutes interview. Do I jump on the opportunity or do I pass? Everybody in their "right mind" will say of course take the opportunity to go on national TV, radio, print... So it's not really about whether they are a for profit or a non-profit/charity. It's a "what's in it for me?"

So the question changes from: "It will be good exposure" to

"What is the right kind of exposure?"

  • Is paying to give a presentation on photography at some wedding show, the right kind of exposure and worth doing?
  • Is going on the local radio or TV for a calling show without being paid, the right kind of exposure?

I should be glad that people are asking me for these free photos, but it never feels that way.

  • At least, they liked my images enough to even ask.
  • At least, they asked. Many people steal without even asking for the permission.

For me, it has become a case by case decision. Unsatisfying, but true.

  • I have a policy of always asking for credit...
  • I always, always say no to anybody asking me to turn over my copyrights. The photos are a one-time use for the specific use that they have asked me.
  • What can you do for me in exchange for the "free" photos? What about a free ad in their...
  • I do a lot of free work with my personal project: http://photos.foto-biz.com/Animals/Downtown-Eastside/. Every Thursday morning, I go to the Vancouver Downtown Eastside, North America's poorest area, to take photos of the people's cats and dogs, mostly dogs. The following week, I give them one or two prints (5” by 7”) free/no charge. Most of the people are poor and some are penniless, but they have a cat or a dog that they care for. Most of them never had a photo of their cat or their dog. And sometimes, if they allow me, I even include them in the photo.