The Least Profitable Phrase for Photographers

It is an occupational imperative. When you least expect it, you’ll receive a phone call out of the blue from a friend, ex-lover or relation that has just started a new business, or attained some sort of notoriety that requires a photograph. As the details of their situation unfolds, the conversation will inevitably wind around to the least profitable phrase in the English language for photographers; “I need a favor.”

Unfortunately, the people that ask for the favors rarely consider that the time you spend behind the camera is a monetized and valuable service. It’s not really their fault. Unless you’re in our industry, you would never truly understand the constant fiscal negotiations that occur for our images.

Any time your image is used outside the context of a family photo album it should be accompanied by a Usage License. A document stating; the where, the when, in what media, and for how long an image can be used. This is common sense for business dealings, but it’s a practice that disappears when photographers offer their talent pro bono. As a result the person on the receiving end of your benevolence never quite understands the value of what they’ve received.

The best and easiest way to add a dash of professionalism to these casual transactions is to write up an invoice with a Usage License and a zero balance. Feel free to give away all the rights to the images if you like, but, always include the document with your delivered photographs. It will serve to educate the recipient of your work that there is a tangible worth to what they are getting without charge.

No one outside of our industry will ever understand the amount of effort that goes into making photography look effortless. This is perhaps why the value of our work can sometimes be lost in the climate of a favor. However, casting a little professional light on your good turn will go a long way to garnering the respect you deserve for your expertise. It is a magnificent thing to be able to use your photographic skill to help a friend succeed. As long as they understand that it is a magnificent thing that they are getting it for free.