Do you Supply Photos?
As a freelance writer, your number one task is to produce high quality content. But with that being said, there are times when a client may want more out of you. One of the most common requests of freelance writers is to supply photos in addition to content. Have you ever been asked for images by a client?
For several months I have been attempting to break into a particular national sports magazine. A couple of weeks ago things finally broke my way, and the editor assigned me a story. At close to $.50/word, I was quite excited about finally breaking into this publication. Soon enough, my jubilation turned sour when the editor asked if I could take some photos as well. While I know some freelance writers who have no problem with this, I am not one of them. Not because I do not want to help out, but because I am not the best photographer. On top of all this, you need to have a high quality digital camera in order to supply high quality photos. Again, this is something I lack.
So what did I do? Simply put, I explained my position to the editor and she was more than willing to accommodate my situation. I got to keep the writing gig, and a freelance photographer is going to take care of the rest.
Another similar situation that I have run into is being asked to provide ideas for photos. This is more up my alley. I have no problems giving an editor ideas on what images would work best with my content. As long as I do not have to actually take the pictures, I can be quite helpful. This brings me back to a post that I made earlier this week on helping freelance writing clients in anyway possible.
Over the next few months I am going to look into expanding into freelance photography. From what I understand this can be quite lucrative, and as you can tell it may also help my freelance writing career. I have taken a few courses on this subject in the past, and hopefully I can pick up where I left off.
Overall, do not be afraid to negotiate with an editor. You may be surprised to find out that they will accept you as a writer, and assign the photography portion of the project to another.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Because I do a fair number of product reviews, I take quite a few pictures too. I’m far from being a professional photographer, but I’ve certainly learned a few things through the process.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Chris,
It has happened to me a while ago - I once lost a gig because I couldn’t provide photographs with the article. I subsequently did a home study course with New York Institute of Photography. I’ve loved photography ever since.
I’m still stuck with my bulky old 35mm camera. Will be investing in a good digital one soon. I would like to do some travel writing…
Nadin
March 7th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
[...] things above and beyond “just writing.” One of his most recent clients has asked him to supply photos along with his written article and he has politely refused. He still got the writing gig, so it [...]
March 7th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I always try to supply photos with every piece I write, it doesn help with a decision and adds $$$ to the payment.
March 8th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I’m still a fledgling freelancer, so I know I’ve a lot to learn. Is it a possibility, if you have a really lucrative deal with a client to source a freelance photographer yourself? Maybe over time it might become a regular thing if you find someone you work well with?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Interesting topic. I had a client recently ask me to find pictures online. I had never done this before, so I asked her if she wanted me to find royalty-free stock images or if she wanted any old thing I could find on any page (she wanted to know the source as well) - she wanted any image. I then started to wonder about how she would use them and if it was legit for her to do so (I only gave her stock images anyway). What do you do when a client wants you to provide images from other sites? Isn’t that like plagarism?
March 13th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Deborah - Yes, that is a tough spot to be in. Supplying stock images is obviously the best way to go. With that being said, the majority of bloggers who I speak with feel that it is alright to use others images as long as they credit the source. Of course, just because they feel that it is alright does not make it right…
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