Pay-lance Photographer

I've worked for several years creating a name for what I do in taking photos. I have done a LOT of free photos for people. New people come along and I understand... they need something to get started, just like I did. I understand "paying forward". It keeps things moving karmically.

Problem - established businesses that think my being there is just part of their good time and isn't worth paying for. I'm going to keep my camera down at clubs for a while if I don't have some form of compensation going on that is going to PAY MY BILLS. I've got people thinking that comping admission, comped drinks is enough to grant them use of my photos. Listen - you could pay me the price of a couple people's admission and I would be taken care of. It is ridiculous that other talent in the building is rewarded for being there and applying their skills and yet the photographer is overlooked.

If I'm taking your photo it could be for several reasons...

• You are part of the ambience of the night
• You are someone I would consider potentially being a model
• You have some social standing that for some reason I became informed of, or was asked to capture
  People that know me realize that I am not all about social titles.

You opened this blog post to the word pay-lance... yeah it is a spin on the word freelance. I am free to take on assignments, to work for multiple people unless I agree to a contract limiting me. My work remains MY WORK, not yours especially if you didn't pay me -- and we never did agreed on a payment that indicated you to have some right to the work produced. If I offer you a copy of what I've made - I expect it to remain YOUR copy and not be forwarded along as if you owned it. Ask me if it can go out. If you're intending to make some profit from what we produce clear that with me.

There comes a time when each person must assess where they are, what they are worth and DEMAND to be acknowledged as valuable. That is the ONLY way to clib the ladder of success and be safe.

I will be going out without a camera when people invite me without paying me. I do enjoy being around people. I would like to be able to relax and allow a personal relationship to form in my life at some point. Heck, Valentine's Day is coming up and I think it was 2001 when I was last dating someone that I could feel I had a significant relationship that could be celebrated.