I've had quite a few messages this last year requesting me to do photo commissions of various themes and models, which is of course flattering and I'm glad so many people like my work enough to want me to produce more of it. However, many of these requests have been ridiculous in expectation; essentially, asking me to create photo sets for people for free. I've had a couple of people respond in surprise when I've said I'd require a fee, telling me they assumed I would do it as a friendly gift of sorts, despite the fact that I don't know those people from Adam.

A commissioned photo shoot is not cost-free to me. I have to book the model/s and pay them (things that randomers request for their own personal collection are not usually likely to be of any use to the model and why would they work for nothing?), I have to consider locations for shooting which may involve paying to hire a place, props may also need to be bought. When I shoot a full day, it doesn't stop there; I need time to edit also. Say that takes a few days to a week, depending on how busy I am. I also then have to provide a disc of images and a trip to post it (if e-mail won't do.) So, what these kind of people have been asking for essentially is about a week of my time and for me to provide models, venues and photos out of my own pocket. Can you see why this might irritate me and why you get a firm 'no' to such requests? Also, some people ask how much for a single photo or just a couple of them; this is not something I do. It's a full set or nothing. No matter how few pics you may want, it amounts to the same cost for me of hiring a model and place.

I would not come to your place of work and ask you to provide me with whatever service you provide for nothing or for some pitifully low fee. It would be rude, presumptious and downright stupid. I do not charge the earth for a photo set; I've looked around and from what I can work out, I am a lot cheaper than many artists who take commissions for the kind of photos I create. Many of the models I shoot are good friends, I can work out very reasonable fees for them (their fee must be included in mine or I cannot book them.)

So, to wrap up; commissions:

A) Yes, I'll do them.

B) No, I won't do them for free.


Happy new year.