For my church, yes I do, and it's really free rather than on-spec. Well yes, I do bill for it on my tax expenses on the "charity" line. So I guess the government ends up paying. A little.
I got started in event photography by offering to shoot an event for the American Heart Association for free (i.e., a donation of my services). They subsequently hired me for three more events. So in that instance, it paid off. But since then I have only worked for free once...a new client asked if I would "sponsor" their event by shooting for free and providing a gift bag that advertised my services. That "sponsorship" did not result in any new clients so no, I don't plan to do any work for free going forward. So in that sense I VERY much agree with the article - working for free in exchange for "exposure", "advertisement" or "building your portfolio" is a really bad idea. I learned the hard way.
On the other hand, if you want to break into the business without the full weight of client expectations bearing down on you the first time you shoot, then it's not a bad option to do some free work starting off. But set a limit from the beginning as to how many shoots you will do for free (maybe three?) and then stick to it because people WILL take advantage of it.
Now, shooting for a church as Frank mentioned (or a charitable organization) I view as completely different. I view that as a admirable donation of services to that church/organization.
I shoot for my church also. I also shoot for a local cultural arts assoc. This all a donation on my part. The arts assoc uses my images in its publications.
I was asked to shoot on the opening of a new office with local celebrities, didn't even get a thank you afterwards dispite sending them the photos which later appears in their marketing brochure and the local town brochure , also a local shop asked for three shots for postcards didn't even get a free postcard. So never again, had hoped for exposure but like most never came
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I got started in event photography by offering to shoot an event for the American Heart Association for free (i.e., a donation of my services). They subsequently hired me for three more events. So in that instance, it paid off. But since then I have only worked for free once...a new client asked if I would "sponsor" their event by shooting for free and providing a gift bag that advertised my services. That "sponsorship" did not result in any new clients so no, I don't plan to do any work for free going forward. So in that sense I VERY much agree with the article - working for free in exchange for "exposure", "advertisement" or "building your portfolio" is a really bad idea. I learned the hard way.
On the other hand, if you want to break into the business without the full weight of client expectations bearing down on you the first time you shoot, then it's not a bad option to do some free work starting off. But set a limit from the beginning as to how many shoots you will do for free (maybe three?) and then stick to it because people WILL take advantage of it.
Now, shooting for a church as Frank mentioned (or a charitable organization) I view as completely different. I view that as a admirable donation of services to that church/organization.