Why I don't work for free...or super-cheap...

Lately, I have been asked more and more if I would photograph an event, whether it be a concert, a burlesque show, a wedding, etc., most of these conversations end the same way: I ask what their budget is for a photographer and they generally tell me one of the following:

1. I'll put you on the list so you won't have to pay a cover.
1. (So you're willing to let me not pay $5 - $10 for the privilege of photographing your event?  Sweet!  I'll be right over.)
2. I'll let you put your name on the photos and you'll totally get a lot of press and recognition.
1. (Thanks for letting me put my name on my work, by the way, I really appreciate your awesomeness and generosity.)
3. You don't have to give me any prints.  I'll give you a CD to put them on.  That won't cost you anything. 
1. (As if my time is not worth anything and all my equipment was free.)

Yes, I love photography and shooting live shows and events.  However, I can't do this if I have to work multiple jobs to be able to pay my bills.  Here is what you get when you hire a professional photographer.

1. A professional person that will meet with you before hand to discuss what it is you want out of the shoot.
2. Someone who will show up on time and stay the agreed upon amount of time.
3. Professional equipment.  (Compare the shots you get with your smartphone with that of a professional grade dSLR.)  In some cases, the photographer will also have backup equipment.
4. Experience.  I have been shooting concerts for the past 15 years.  This experience has given me some great experience that helps me deal with all sorts of situations that can turn up at a show.

Let's look at a hypothetical situation.  If someone in town asks me to shoot a show that goes from 10pm - 2am, here are the expenses I have to put into it:

1. Time.  
1. Now that I'm shooting your show, I no longer have that time to do what I really want.
2. Assume that for every hour of shooting, I will spend at least 1/2 an hour editing photos. Your 4 hour show is now going to take me at least 6 hours.
3. When I'm shooting your show, this means I can't book any other shoots, which may be willing to pay me.
2. Gas to get to the event.
3. Sometimes, parking costs me, too.
4. Equipment.  
1. Camera bodies
2. Lenses
3. Batteries
4. Memory cards
5. Flashes
6. Computer to load the images
7. Software to process the images
8. A phone to reach me on

Plus, I still have the basic living expenses just like everyone else.  I have to make money to pay these, just like everyone else.  Until my landlord, electric company, cable company, and phone company are willing to give me their services because I'm willing to "give them credit", I won't be able to do this for you.

So, the next time you are going to ask a photographer to cover your event, keep this in mind and don't be surprised if they ask what your budget is or expect to be paid.

And because I like photos, here's one I took of Gerard from My Chemical Romance a while back.