Should Photographers Ever Work for Free?

🎥 Should Photographers Ever Work for Free? My Thoughts & Experiences 📸 Hey everyone! Matt Bills here—welcome back to the channel! Today, we’re diving into a topic that sparks a lot of debate in the photography world: Should photographers ever work for free? 🤔 Is working for free a bad idea, or can it sometimes open doors to bigger opportunities? I’m sharing my personal journey—from offering free shoots when I was starting out to how I evaluate unpaid work today. Plus, I’ll break down: ✅ How shooting for free helped me build my portfolio & connections ✅ When working for free can lead to paid opportunities ✅ The right and wrong ways to approach unpaid work ✅ Why "exposure" isn’t always worth it ✅ How a free gig led to a paid photography contract in college & pro sports 💡 Key Takeaways: Free work isn’t always bad, but it should be strategic Know your worth—don’t let people take advantage of your skills Passion projects can help reignite your creativity 🔥 The importance of seeing the big picture in your photography career Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced photographer, this is a discussion worth having. Let me know in the comments—have you ever taken an unpaid gig? Was it worth it? Follow me on IG! https://www.instagram.com/aspectsandanglesphotography/ https://www.aspectsandangles.com/ https://getitsoldlistingservices.com/