Working for exposure

Working for exposure is often a hot-bed topic. Some people do this frequently, some do it from time to time and some never do it. I submitted some images from a photo session with the metal band Harvest the flesh and the Metal Maidens, The images were submitted to an online magazine where they were published. My pay, zip, zero, nothing, nada. While it was an interesting, somewhat entertaining photo session it was the last time I did something “for exposure”, where the only person who made money was the online magazine.

I do photo sessions as a trade for time sort of thing where it benefits both me and the models for use in our respective portfolios, so that isn’t what I mean when I say I don’t work for exposure. To me, if anyone makes money from an event or photo session, we should all make money. Some people would argue that doing some sessions for exposure allows you to make “connections” but I would counter that with you can still make connections without the free work.

I get it, creatives are often asked to work for free. Models, ah, you just have to wear the clothes, walk and stand. Photographers, you just pus a button.

In my area, we are innudated with these so-called fashion shows where models and photographers work for free. I recently saw a person wanting to do a free session but wanted someone with tuxedos to allow them to use the clothes for free. The only person making money is the show’s promoter. While some of these may be fun, they can also be a lot of work and at the end of the day, I only put money in someone else’s pocket.

While it may not always be about making money it often comes to would I rather be making someone else money or making art for me. I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of working for exposure.