Love the blog and timely information it gives to photographers. Naturally, all business people prefer to avoid drama, however it’s a two way street. Not every photographer is an artist, so the degree of passion will vary as will the degree of resistance to objectionable business terms.

These days there’s often an attitude of take it or leave it when someone wants to hire you or license an image. Let’s include that in the discussion.

For example, too many calls often begin with “we don’t have much of a budget” or the client only has “x” dollars to spend. Are you willing to work with us.

In a brick and mortar business, you can certainly provide a product at a lower cost by using less expensive materials that may wear out sooner. Nothing personal!

However, asking an artist to cut corners is definitely more personal and is no different that telling a company employee that their next check will be a little lower because the company has to cut expenses to maintain its PROFITS. I doubt that such an act would be met without some serious uproar, rudeness, and inefficiency going forward.

Years ago, artists didn’t prostitute themselves so easily as today. The digital revolution encourages some (mostly untrained) photographers to sell out simply “for the money” because they view a few hundred dollars as a lot more money than they would make at McDonald’s. They don’t think about editing time or usage or retirement one day.

An artist finds it difficult to put out a substandard product, although few might notice, making the situation even more exacerbating. They resist giving their time and creative energy away for less than a fair value. At that point, they may appear difficult. Try to see the other side of this and imagine that artists who happen to use the medium of photography need inspiration and they need to feel respected by the industry they serve.

A photographer in the commercial realm requires the same dedication as any professional and should be treated accordingly.