even photography students i would hope have some commercial and business acumen to see this 'opportunity' for what it is.

There are lots of new photographers, unsigned models, makeup artists, designers, sylists, photography assistants etc etc out there willing to give up their time and creative energy to work on unpaid shoots for new imagery for their portfolios. In the industry it is known as testing, and there are many websites where like minded people can put together shoots.

What they won't do is take photographs for a business to use commercially and not receive recompense.

Presumably also the original poster is going to pay the: (in no particular order) Location fees, model(s), make up artist, hair stylist, designer of look book, printer of look book, or are they all expecting to do a freebie for the spurious promise of 'exposure'

But almost all photographers are freelance so they're not going to be looking for a job or getting an employer. In photography a job lasts as long as it takes to finish editing the pictures and get them back to the client. It's not like taking an internship in say the media. The OP isn't going to be nurturing the student's career. She just wants free photos and if after doing them the photographer decides to charge her a proper rate for the next job, I presume she'll just move on and look for another student prepared to work for nothing. And incidentally, plenty of photography students do paid work while they're training.

To be fair to the original poster, they did say "professional or student"

In any industry when you finish your studies, getting experience is an important part of getting into a job as this is the number one thing employers look for.

The hostility is totally warranted.

If I put a post up here for, lets say, an accountant, to do my books, for them to spend two or three days hard work, using their own equipment bought at their own expense, using their own skills and talents, honed and learnt over maybe many years work or study, and instead of offering any financial recompense I offer a vague, fanciful and indeed unsubstantiatable promise of 'exposure', whist I gained financially (by not paying) and commercially, then I would rightly be asking for trouble.

The original post is insulting, unprofessional,
disrespectful and contemptuous and I suggest any 'photographer' who takes on such a commission is not only a fool but doesn't know one end of 50mm lens to the other.

I can understand your viewpoint Discodolly but it is imho a short sighted one. I disagree with the OP's enticement of 'high exposure' to publications and celebrities as many - if not all! - experienced photographers will tell you this is wishful thinking at best. The client is a business and the business is intending to profit from all you have invested into your chosen profession whether you are student or professional. If this is not their intention then they are better off getting their partner/child/pet to take them with their iphone and even then one would think that partner/child/pet would get something in return! They need to demonstrate how they will guarantee this exposure, what is the value to them of your work? Is their offer commensurate with the time and skills set required? Only a sound business approach on behalf of client and photographer will mean that there will be an industry left for you to eventually make your living from. Even before I knew my way around a camera I was paid £12 an hour as an apprentice. My time was valuable even if my skills weren't!

Where will it lead? It'll lead to people knowing you as the photographer who does stuff for free! The thing is - if photographers are prepared to work for free, why would anyone pay? And then photography goes further down the slippery slope it's already started going down of being a very poorly paid profession - which isn't going to do YOU any favours in the long term if you want to be a professional photogapher. Especially when the equipment you need to actually take professional photographs is so expensive - so you're effectively subsidising the work you do!

It's not about being negative, it's about protecting the future of people like you. If you want to practise - do it on your mates and then when you think you're good enough, value your work and ask for payment. And you'll find your clients will value your work more too if they've paid for it.

Can I just say .. for a student who has just graduated.. this is the perfect opportunity for them to gain work for their book and know what its like to work with a client.

I think the hostility on this thread is unwarranted.

Also .. there maybe some photographers who would like to shoot this .. you never know where it may lead..

A positive attitude in this business opens many doors.

This happens all the time - people asking photographers to work for free on the basis of "exposure" and as any half decent photographer knows is a load of ********. How about you hand out your swimwear to NVN readers for free on the basis you'll get exposure from them wearing it?

People like you are just further undermining an already undervalued and precarious profession and the really sad thing is there are photographers out there who are stupid enough to do it.

May I ask, why is this unpaid? Do you regularly not pay people for their time and expertise from which you benefit? The only exposure anyone will get from this is being the mug who does something for nothing. Requests such as these seriously undermine an industry which requires time money and specialist skill. Please consider carefully what you are asking and good luck with those high exposure pictures! Hope they live up to expectations!

Hi

Let me get this right: you are looking for a photographer, (with only basic equipment..?) who can produce and shoot your look book, and presumably do the post production on the imagery but aren't willing to pay them.

And yet you will gain commercially and financially from the arrangement.

get real

best

JG101

Hi

I run an agency too , also with high fashion clients inc swimwear

Could you email me some of your designs we might be able to help

Or email me kate@togetherassociates.com

I do however agree with rwickham in the view that you really do get what you pay for in this area. Better images result in better exposure / interest

Best

Kate

I'd really recommend a professional shoot and that usually means payment. Professional shots will make such a difference and if you're trying to make a big impact it could be money well invested.

One of my clients is Sarah Daw - http://www.sarahdaw.com. She's an agent for many fashion photographers.

She's a very established industry person, so even if unpaid is the only option she might be able to offer some useful advice.

Hi All,

I'm currently designing and customising swimwear which will be showcased at Bloggers Fashion Week and London Fashion Week in September 2014.

I am looking for a professional or student to do a shoot with me in late August. This is NON PAID however would be an ideal opportunity for someone who is looking for recognition and exposure within the fashion industry. Only basic equipment required. This will be an outside shoot.

The photos would be used to create a lookbook which would be available to attendees at said events. Among those attending are Grazia Magazine, OK, Evening Standard, and many others including celebrities, large fashion retailers and department stores.

If you are interested, please email with a little about your work or course and preferably a link to your work. Twitter/Instagram accounts also welcome. bettysbikiniboutique@hotmail.co.uk


Ellie
Betty's Bikini Boutique