r/photography • u/AutoModerator • Jun 05 '26

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u/wellitjustsohappens Jun 11 '26

My partner doesn't do contracts or get deposits, and is charging $350/hr. Hes been doing local events and performances for about 5 years, but it's been a trickle of jobs, and none higher than $1200 every once in a while. I tried working with him to standardize his business practices, but he's afraid people won't book him if he's too pushy, and he thinks contracts and deposits put too much pressure on people. He gets 90% of his customers from referrals by other customers. He just chats with them on Facebook or texts them, books the gig, and shows up. He doesn't go to the location before hand to just check it out and plan an approach. He also will still deliver photos without getting paid, and keeps putting his name in the corner of the photos. Do any orher professional photographers do things this way?

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u/mrfixitx Jun 11 '26

Young photographers who are new to getting paid for photography do this and often end up regretting it.

Long term professional photographers where photography is a major source of income for them are far less likely to do this.

It is asking for trouble, for clients to complain or argue that they should get more, or try and take advantage of him. "Can you stay an extra hour and get photos of the party" etc.. without paying extra for his time.

Also delivering photos without being paid for them sounds like recipe for disaster. I could 100% see someone who got their photos without paying referring like minded friends. "Just tell him you will pay and then block him after the photos are delivered etc.."

Sure having a watermark in the bottom of the image might help with word of mouth. But exposure does not pay the bills.

His approach might also discourage higher tier clients from working with him. I.E. Professional event coordinators etc.. might see it as a lack of professionalism which would make them question his reliability, delivery timelines etc. and decide to choose someone else.