{"id":116,"date":"2008-07-14T21:05:28","date_gmt":"2008-07-15T02:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.harrynowell.com\/blog\/2008\/07\/14\/101-supply-and-demand\/"},"modified":"2022-05-29T08:21:12","modified_gmt":"2022-05-29T13:21:12","slug":"101-supply-and-demand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.harrynowell.com\/blog\/2008\/07\/14\/101-supply-and-demand\/","title":{"rendered":"#101 Supply and Demand"},"content":{"rendered":"
Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n

I just shot Ottawa Bluesfest<\/a> for a couple of different media outlets. The festival has grown into an extravaganza<\/strong><\/em> of international music festival proportions.<\/p>\n

\"Wyclef
\nWyclef Jean\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

For the last night of the fest I was hired to shoot and file the headline show. I got called in the afternoon to see if I could cover more. That meant twice the work. “Yes,” I said<\/strong> and asked for a larger budget to cover the extra work. “No,” they said<\/strong>.
\nI stood my ground<\/strong> and said for the original budget I’d shoot the original assignment. Their freelancer’s rates are very low already. They changed the show I was to cover. Fine – same work but I was done earlier.<\/p>\n

I saw the staff writer covering the event. “What?!”<\/strong> he exclaimed! He phoned the media outlet – my assigned photos wouldn’t match his review. The office spoke to me again and asked if I could shoot more – “Yes,”<\/strong> if <\/strong>there was a larger budget!<\/em><\/p>\n

They ended up hiring a student<\/strong> on site at the last minute for the extra work. The student told me he was paid $40<\/strong> to shoot. Apparently he borrowed a laptop to file the work. Another photographer told the student what just went down<\/strong><\/em>. “You just took Harry’s work!” …and accepted almost nothing to do it<\/strong>. The student was a little uneasy! I am not upset with him – but he has some learning to do!<\/p>\n

\"Bluesfest
\nCrowd at Bluesfest\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There are many people who see shooting Bluesfest for a paper a great opportunity<\/strong> with great exposure<\/strong> that could lead to great things<\/strong>. With an attitude like that<\/em> it will likely lead to low, unsustainable wages<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

“But he got $40! Better than nothing.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

No!<\/strong><\/em> With the amount invested in photo and computer gear, the price of gas and the cost of doing business the student would be far better<\/strong><\/em> pursuing other jobs that paid a realistic wage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“But it’s Bluesfest!”<\/strong> (ie fun). The media outlets know<\/strong> there are many ‘wanna-be’ photographers with stars in their eyes! This scenario often leads to low, unsustainable wages.<\/p>\n

I filed my assigned work, enjoyed the show for twenty more minutes and went home to my wife. I filed my invoice and said I was interested in other work “… if the rates were reasonable.”<\/strong> I may never get another call from them. That’s fine – I’ll be working for better clients!<\/p>\n

\"Sam
\nSam Roberts\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

If you have a new creative business BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!<\/em><\/strong> There are few<\/strong><\/em> clients who will pay you a penny more than they have to. They know there is a far greater supply<\/strong> of new photographers (or other new creatives) than there is demand<\/strong> for their services. They can often get away with paying low $. Saying “no”<\/strong> to low $<\/strong> can get you further in the long run.<\/p>\n

How can you learn the ropes<\/strong> of a creative business?<\/p>\n