An in-depth article written to explain the reasons why photographers cannot work for free. This is in response to the commonly seen situation where photographers are regularly approached, not for work, but for free images.

Summarised into the following points:

1. If images are given out for free, photographers will not be able to make a living.
2. The issue of “budget constraints” pleas from clients are hard to fathom. Ever tried asking for discounts on your electricity or utility bills?
3. Receiving a “credit” in the form of a link or watermark don’t mean much. “Credits” don’t pay bills.

Here is another insightful but short article on how much it costs to create one image. Easily in the thousands. That is why serious photographers do not give out their images for free as they need to cover costs of running their business.

If photographers are thought to be expensive, think again. Or refer to an earlier post about why wedding photographers are expensive.

Here is an short and interesting article about how some organisations try to get free images from hardworking and deserving photographers by enticing them with some “exposure” to their 10,000 clients and customer base.

http://benrobertsphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/photography-students-and-recent-graduates-please-read-this/

I recall reading about this online, does it mean that your clients can forgo paying water and electricity bills just because they are from some non-profit organisations? Can they get “discounts” from the local photocopier? Come on, people still need to make a living!! And such organisations are destroying honest people’s livelihood by having the cheek to even think about that.

Stop saying you will give the photographer exposure through your publication by giving full credit. And stop giving out your work for peanuts or even for free. It degrades yourself and your work. Credit for images used is mandatory in the first place.