Thread: Wanted: Photog for Playboy shoot in Vegas/No Pay

Just an update: We did indeed find a suitable photographer for this gig.

You might be surprised, but I agree in principle to the arguments above about working pro bono to 'land business.' If it's someone I know, someone I trust, I take the carrot and the gamble. I'm shooting 50/50 here, thus far.

If it's someone I DON'T know (or a Craigslist ad), I just pass on it. Period.

For those who know me, you'd know that I'm nothing if not loyal and straight, dead honest. If this was a dead end gig with no possibility for employment, I'd cash in a favor with a friend and wouldn't solicit for a shooter.

In this situation, for example, both Verone and Jad have worked for me on gigs in the past pro bono...which have led to paying gigs.

But I too have had bad experiences with people I've tried out...had a video shooter that shot for me a couple of times, but turned out to be unreliable. By the same token, had another one (that I met through this forum) that worked pro bono, then became a paid contractor. So, out of four people (just from this forum, I might add) who have worked for me in the past pro bono, 3 of have got paid gigs through me.

I know this is not the norm. In fact, when someone says "promises of exposure, future work, etc." I too usually run the other way. Unless it's someone I know and trust.

But I too am disappointed about the devaluing of work through every Tom, Dick and Harry with a camera and by those who WOULD work for free (through a Craigslist ad) or such. In the video production world, we have similar problems.

However, in the photography world, it's even more rife.

The fact is that with these new 5Ds, it's getting more competitive and easier to shoot. This alone is devaluing work because virtually anybody (thinks they) can shoot decent photos.

Thanks for expressing your concerns and counterpoints, guys. Totally legit discussion and I appreciate the soft, professional way in which this was all expressed.

Craig, I know you are a standup guy, that was another reason I was interested. If it was just some random person who I didn't know, I probably wouldn't have been.

I used to be on mkiv.com mailing list back in the Tozer and Guilly days, lots of fun.

Originally Posted by Rasidel Slika

Craig, I know you are a standup guy, that was another reason I was interested. If it was just some random person who I didn't know, I probably wouldn't have been.

I used to be on mkiv.com mailing list back in the Tozer and Guilly days, lots of fun.

Oh gosh, don't get my started on those guys.

Anyway, I really do appreciate the notion that this work for no pay bs is testing the patience of people in the creative world.

This is why I HATE even asking, unless I KNOW I can deliver something on the back end.

Just heard today that our photographer's photos WILL indeed run in Playboy magazine. I'm thrilled and proud that if nothing else comes of this, at least our guys got what they hoped for.

Originally Posted by craiglieberman

Oh gosh, don't get my started on those guys.

Anyway, I really do appreciate the notion that this work for no pay bs is testing the patience of people in the creative world.

This is why I HATE even asking, unless I KNOW I can deliver something on the back end.

Just heard today that our photographer's photos WILL indeed run in Playboy magazine. I'm thrilled and proud that if nothing else comes of this, at least our guys got what they hoped for.

Wow!!! Craig you rock. That is awesome.

Originally Posted by craiglieberman

Oh gosh, don't get my started on those guys.

Anyway, I really do appreciate the notion that this work for no pay bs is testing the patience of people in the creative world.

This is why I HATE even asking, unless I KNOW I can deliver something on the back end.

Just heard today that our photographer's photos WILL indeed run in Playboy magazine. I'm thrilled and proud that if nothing else comes of this, at least our guys got what they hoped for.

Originally Posted by MacFly

What's up John, see you at SLO

Originally Posted by verone24

Wow!!! Craig you rock. That is awesome.

Me??? YOU guys rock! You and John Salangsang did an awesome job! Looking forward to the next episode ;-)

Originally Posted by craiglieberman

Me??? YOU guys rock! You and John Salangsang did an awesome job! Looking forward to the next episode ;-)

thank you for the opportunity Craig.

Originally Posted by Torquey5

What's up John, see you at SLO

what's up bro! nice to see you on here as well. See you Sat.

getting published in Playboy - you can't tell me that isn't something great, regardless of compensation. Especially for people trying to get their "foot in the door".

I think it's clear that this opportunity was "different" than the regular "work for free" kind of thing photographers are sadly too used to these days. Completely different scenario.

Congrats guys!

This ain't no graduation pictorial....this was such a fun experience. Wait till you guys see the episode.I had no idea that I would meet such cool people who lived right next to me in the middle of nowhere.