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Why You Should Do Photography Work For Free

We’re often told as photographers not to work for free. I disagree. I think when we’re starting off, it is a good idea to work for free. Then as you build your skills, start to charge a lot of money.

We love FREE!

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

People love this concept of “free.”

If you’re a newbie photographer, with a good camera, and you want to build your portfolio, offer to make photos for others for FREE.

Shoot a wedding for free. Shoot an engagement for free. Shoot a portrait for free.

Build up your portfolio and build up your skills.

Don’t shoot for free forever.

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

But once you have a portfolio you’re proud of, stop shooting for free.

Start charging a lot of money.

That means, if your old clients tell you that they want more free work, just tell them:

Here is my new price sheet for my services.

Email them a PDF (professionally designed) of your new rates. If they don’t respond or say no, it is ok. Just move on.

You don’t want leeches holding you back.

Barbell pricing: Free or Expensive

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

I learned this from Nassim Taleb: the barbell theory. Imagine a barbell at the gym, extreme weights on both ends. Avoid the middle.

For example, I either do things for free, or charge a lot of money.

For example, I’ll shoot a friend’s wedding for free. But if a company contacts me, I’ll charge a lot of money, or refuse to do it.

No more free work for big companies.

I’ll give free photography advice to young photographers. But I’ll charge a lot of money for my photography consulting services.

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

I’ll give away all my information, books, and videos for free here. But for workshops and experiences, I’ll charge a lot of money.

When should I start charging for my photography?

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

So the very basic concept is once again:

Shoot stuff for free and give things away for free when you’re starting off to build your brand. But when you are confident in yourself, charge a lot of money.

But when is the right time to start charging for your services?

I don’t have the answers. Only you do.

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

My suggestion:

When you feel 80% “ready”– go for it. There will never be a perfect opportunity.

What is 80% ready? Follow your heart and gut.

How much should I charge for my photographic services?

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

And also when charging for your services, how much should you charge? My suggestion:

Charge 25% more than you think you should.

Why? We often under-sell ourselves. Don’t sell yourself short.

Photos from my friends, VUDORY Wedding. Saigon, 2017

BE STRONG,
ERIC


Photography Entrepreneurship 101

ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP // Portrait by Benjamin Thompson

Learn how to make a living from your passion:

How to Make Money with Photography

  • Photography Experience Economy
  • How to Charge More Money in Your Photography
  • Why You Should Not Pursue Photography as Career
  • Can Photography Make You Rich?
  • How I Earn $200,000+ a Year From Photography
  • How to earn $10,000 a month as a photographer
  • Why you must be an expensive photographer

Photography Marketing 101

  • How I Became an Internet Famous Photographer
  • Photography Blogging Ideas
  • Why You Should Promote Your Own Name
  • How to Build a Following
  • How to Stand Out as a Photographer.
  • HOW TO GO VIRAL AS A PHOTOGRAPHER.
  • How to Master Marketing
  • How to Sell Yourself

How to Hustle.

  • Entrepreneurial Advice to My 18 Year Old Self
  • How to Become Insanely Productive.
  • 5 Lessons From Hesiod on Hustling

Entrepreneurial Principles

  • It is Better to Beg For Forgiveness Than Ask For Permission
  • The Free Way to Become Rich
  • JUST DO IT.
  • 7 Steps: How to Make a Living From Your Passion
  • How to Do What You Love for a Living
  • How to Create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
  • How to Fail Big
  • How to Invest in Yourself
  • How to Be Bold in Photography and Life
  • Mission: Cover Your Rent and Food
  • 1,000 True Fans
  • The “10x Principle”: The Only Difference Between “Success” and “Failure”
  • Make More Value Not Money
  • We Live in a Photo Utopia

How to be a Full-time Photographer

  • How to Make a Living From Photography
  • The 3 Principles of Making Money With Photography
  • Advice for Aspiring Full-Time Photographers
  • Don’t Go Into Debt For Your Photography
  • How to Brand Yourself as a Photographer
  • Trust: The Most Important Thing You Need to Succeed as a Photographer

Photography Blogging

  • How to become rich from photography blogging
  • How to Make a Living with Blogging
  • 50 Blogging Tips For Beginners
  • How to Start Your Own Photography Blog
  • A Photographer’s Guide to SEO, Blogging, and Social Media

How to Teach Photography

  • How to Become a Photography Teacher
  • How to Teach a Street Photography Class
  • Why I Teach Street Photography Workshops

Social Media

  • Why I Deleted My Instagram
  • The Social Media Blackbook for Photographers
  • Why Do You Need More Likes or Followers?
  • Instagram is Going to Be the Next Facebook
  • Don’t Trust “Free” Photography Social Networks

How to Save Money

  • How Cindy Saved Us $150,000+
  • The Free Way to Become Rich

START HERE >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

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Unleash your creative potential:

2021:

  • April 10-11th, 2021: BOSTON / Discover Your Unique Voice in Photography Workshop [Register Intent Here]
  • May 1-2nd, 2021: CHICAGO / Street Photography Composition Masterclass [Register Intent Here]
  • May 22-22nd, 2021: NEW YORK CITY / STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS by ERIC KIM [Register Intent Here]

Be notified of when new workshops are live here.


ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER

Free Motivation for You >







HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

Film Leica MP x Henri Shoulder Strap (CREMA BROWN)

Supreme >


Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography >


HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO

Henri wrist strap pro

For the pros >

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship

My brand-new Udemy Course, "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship" now live!

Seize your destiny >


Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

Master photography >

JOIN ARS: The Anti-Social Media for Photographers

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Get real feedback on your photos on ARSBETA.COM

WHY APP?

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Never stop asking why?

PHANTOM BLACK HENRI WRIST STRAP

Shoot like a ghost >


STREET NOTES

Never hit the streets without it >


FILM NOTES

Now is your time to (re)learn film >

HENRI WRIST STRAP

The classic CREMA BROWN >

CREATIVE EVERY DAY

Create every day >


PHOTO JOURNAL

Photo Journal Print Edition

Discover more personal meaning in your photography >

OPEN-SOURCE