Is The Photoshoot Really Free?

LBluebey on 14/07/2021 - 15:42

I have recently "won" 2 photography sessions from 2 different studios.
And I say "won" because I am a bit skeptical and I would like to know if others have had similar experiences.

1) I put in my details at an expo that I had attended and then was contacted saying I had "won" a photoshoot with a $200 voucher to spend.
2) I randomly signed up for a competition on instagram and again was contacted saying that I had "won" a photoshoot with a free print.

What is the catch here? I suspect that photographers who were probably hit hard by covid are offering these "free" photoshoots to everyone and then hoping to pressure customers at the end to buy canvases/prints?
I am looking to have photos taken but not sure it these "deals" are worth taking up.Just don't want to waste my time and the photographer's time.
Thoughts?

General Discussion

Comments

  • Amaris on 14/07/2021 - 15:49
    +4

    Photoshoot is usually free. If you want actual photographs printed/ emailed will cost you. The one I 'won' in the past promised to give me 1 photo for free. May/ may not be the case with your 'wins'.

    • dust on 14/07/2021 - 17:02

      Yep and the one printed photograph is usually a tiny 6x4 inch one.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 14/07/2021 - 23:02
        +4

        Why do you need photos of yourself? Just look in the mirror.

  • outlander on 14/07/2021 - 15:49
    -6

    Are you a woman?

    • jv on 14/07/2021 - 18:04
      +12

      This site is for bargains, not for dating…

  • boomramada on 14/07/2021 - 15:49
    +2

    Your winning amount = (cost of photo shoot + cost of prints + cost of digital prints (optional)) - $200.

    • SF3 on 14/07/2021 - 16:25

      Yep, what you'll find is the photoshoot will cost $1000, so you are "suckered" into paying $800 for a photoshoot.

    • fantombloo on 14/07/2021 - 16:31
      +4

      cost of photo shoot + $200 + cost of prints + cost of digital prints (optional)) - $200.

  • Drakesy on 14/07/2021 - 15:50
    +5

    You'll get the photoshoot but you don't get the digital copies.

    Basically you'll have to purchase them for an exorbitant fee or go through their print services.

    Unless you want to spend another $200-$500 with them i'd say they're wasting your time.

  • Fergy1987 on 14/07/2021 - 15:50
    -3

    As a former photographer I can tell you that we'll make you look like a movie star. Doesn't matter who are you are. Put your faith and trust in me.

    • Xistn on 14/07/2021 - 15:55

      So which movie star(s) are you famous for?

      • Fergy1987 on 14/07/2021 - 16:00

        look LIKE a movie star - not the same :)

        • BOGOF on 14/07/2021 - 17:29
          +12

          King Kong?
          The Elephant Man?

    • ChocStrawberries on 14/07/2021 - 21:50
      +2

      Now I have the jingle in my head…thanks… :P

      Edit: for those who negged - here's the ad. You're welcome.

      https://youtu.be/qNIkm64e9hY

  • KillBotFactory on 14/07/2021 - 15:55
    +2

    Often you get one (small) complimentary photo (6x4 or something). An individual photo will probably be $500, digital or packages a few thousand.

  • dasher86 on 14/07/2021 - 15:56
    -1

    spend a couple of hours taking shots with them to be given one free print.
    then just refuse to buy any more >_< that'll show em

  • orangetrain on 14/07/2021 - 16:21
    +1

    Scam. Many complaints online when looking for photoshoot credit/voucher https://www.insideimaging.com.au/2018/portrait-studio-franch…

  • 7ekn00 on 14/07/2021 - 17:13
    -2

    BEWARE!
    Once the photos are taken, the copyright remains with the photographer, who can use the photos in any way they want, the most desperate and seedy will threaten to use them on unsavory websites as profile pics, etc
    7

  • stwongy on 14/07/2021 - 17:15
    +6

    I got pulled in by a scam like this too. Worst experience ever so stay the hell away from them.

    Basically, "won" a $800 giftcard from voting for my friends family pic in a competition the photo place (located in Darlinghurst, with a french alcohol sounding name) was running. Decided why not, see what it is, basically it's to pull u in, take like atleast 1 or 2 weeks of your time with back and forthing, make u deposit $75 to secure the booking, phonecalls about the concepts u wanna do. You spend like 3 hours of your time on the day taking photos, you have to bring your own clothes and shit if u want different outfits.

    Then at the end, they will show u all the nice pictures they took at the end of it and they tell u each photo is $200 actually and the photo shoot was $600, some ridiculous bs like that. And then ur left with sunk cost thoughts and u want to buy them. it was like 5 photos for $1.3k And they never mentioned prices during the initial phone calls. Absolute scam artists.

    • jv on 14/07/2021 - 18:07
      -1

      5 photos for $1.3k

      Cheaper at Harvey Norman

    • mbck on 14/07/2021 - 18:25
      +1

      Oof you got done

  • Blue Cat on 14/07/2021 - 17:56

    Reading the comments, sounds like a massive waste of time both for the photographer and the "clients".

    It's like those scams overseas that includes taking photos with your or their device, except you are not even overseas :(

  • jv on 14/07/2021 - 18:02
    +2

    I have recently "won" 2 photography sessions from 2 different studios.

    SCAM

  • deme on 14/07/2021 - 18:04

    Lol

  • JimmyF on 14/07/2021 - 19:21
    +1

    I had "won" a photoshoot with a free print.
    Is The Photoshoot Really Free?

    Yes…..

    But after that 'free' print, watch your eyes water!!!

  • albyone on 14/07/2021 - 19:48

    Average fee is between $200-$300 for the first hour, $100 hour every after… Prints and access to images aren't included… Add it up..

  • djkelly69 on 14/07/2021 - 20:31
    +3

    My wife got suckered into something like this when our son was a newborn. Free or cheap photoshoot, then you go back to get your free photo. They had printed up heaps of other ones to try and sell her at exorbitant prices, which they mentioned would be thrown in the bin if she didn't buy them.

    Obviously pretty tough for a new mother to have photos of their newborn thrown out, so ended buying like $800 worth of photos.

    • BuyOrNot on 16/07/2021 - 00:36

      Same here, my wife spent $200 for 3 photos.

  • Marcsie on 14/07/2021 - 21:40

    There’s nothing “Free” in this world !

    • jv on 14/07/2021 - 23:47

      Herpes is free…

      • Archi on 15/07/2021 - 00:03

        Depends how much you paid the lady to give them To you.

        • BOGOF on 15/07/2021 - 09:36

          Or gentleman?

  • TransportPosters on 15/07/2021 - 10:39

    If they are at least going to give you a print, ask them to do it in passport size, eg. 6 shots per 6x4" print or something. And remember, you can't smile in a passport photo.

  • OzHunterNSW on 15/07/2021 - 12:09

    Hahahahahah… you and 100 other have "won" hahahah
    The money lies in you buying equipment, materials, or further "secrets" that are only revealed in the "last" lesson - for which you would have to pay.

    Hahahahahahahah

  • singingwolf on 15/07/2021 - 23:46

    Do not do this! They will guilt you into paying more and keep hounding you.

  • Wacdam on 16/07/2021 - 23:12

    My Daughter is a professional newborn Photographer on the gold coast . So I can share a few facts around newborn photography. I expect this will also apply to other specialities like family or portraits

    A newborn photo session in not normally free! It takes around two to three hours. A professional newborn photographer is skilled in wrapping and posing a newborn safely. And will work with the client to create lasting memories. My daughter also has a professional studio, lighting and, hundreds of dollars woth of props, backdrops and clothing that can be used in the session.

    The average price of a photo session on the gold coast is between $150 to $300 but you could pay much more.

    Most professional newborn photographers only sell packages that include a combination of both professionally printed photos and digitals.
    Not the kind of photos you get printed from kmart.

    Packages will vary in price but will often start from around $600 to 800 for a basic package of both photos and digitals I know a few photographers who's packages start from $1000. This is in addition to the photo shoot fee.

    The photoshoot cost may be included in the package price this dos not make it free no professional will work for free.

    Each photo will require editing prior to printing this is time consuming and a skilled job and can make the difference between a work of art and a friends snapshot it's not just a case of shoot. and print.

    Most professional photographers will provide all of the details of their pricing and packages and will go though it with the client before the shoot.

    As with anything you get what you pay for.
    If you are shopping on price you may find somone who will just give you only digitals but most professionals will not share unedited raw pictures straight out of the camera and as I have said editing photos properly is a skill and is time consuming.

    To address some of the comments. Printing out a lot of photos for the client to choose from and then binning the ones not purchased, would be very expensive and wasteful unless the photographer was getting them from somewhere cheap. My daughter uses a professional printer and only sends the order for printing after they have been paid for.

    Meny photographers will give you the edited photos you have chosen so you can print your own but they may require you to purchase a package including phisical photos. At least that way you will see what they should look like when printed properly and will jot blame the photographer if the cheep prints you get have distortions and banding caused by the printing process.

    A photographer cannot do whatever they like with your photos, they need to get a signed release to use them for advertising etc.
    Sometimes a prize of a free photo shoot or a model call may also include the condition that the photographer can use the photos for promotion, but this should be clearly stated in the conditions.

    As to lack of work due to covid. Well in the case of newborn photography I think the opposite is the case. The covid babies are starting to arrive and my daughter is getting plenty of new clients in addition to referrals and repeat clients.

    As with any profession there are people who think that they can earn some extra cash by taking photos. My advice would be when choosing a photographer to ask for referrals from friends who have used a professional photographer before. Then check out their website do they have one, is it professional looking with a domain name how long have they been trading do they have a gallery or portfolio, do you like their style or do they just have a Facebook page. Then call them and ask them any questions you may have.

    I hope this is helpful.

  • sam buster on 17/07/2021 - 01:13

    From my experience, if the studio needs to do this, don't bother. Unless you really want a free 4x6 photo - by free I mean giving up a couple of hours and potentially a lot of hassle.
    I had thought there's nothing to lose, but I was wrong.

    When my kids were newborns we went to get some professional family photos done. Off the top of my head I can't remember the name of the studio, but it was in a lane in Camperdown, Sydney. It was a great experience - we arranged a time that suited us on a weekend, were called and briefed by the photographer before the day - what were we hoping for, what clothes to bring etc. We arrived, were welcomed, offered refreshments, taken to makeup, had the photo shoots, inside and outside,different scenes. It all felt relaxed (even though the photographer was on a schedule) and was great fun.
    We were offered more refreshments while we waited a few minutes to view the photos on a giant screen, make our selection and choose our package.
    It was so good we spent about $1500 and the prints were delivered to us, plus a CD of digital prints.

    About a year later, my partner "won" a free shoot and 6x4 print with a studio in Drummoyne, (it's mentioned in that link above by orangetrain).
    What a difference that experience was!
    We had no choice of appointment time, then rushed through the shoot as though we were a hassle to them. No makeup, no change of sceneries, no refreshments…
    Had to make three trips - shoot, viewing, collection.
    We ended up buying some extra framed prints after a bartering phase where we were persuaded to buy a larger size on the promise that we would get digital copies thrown in.
    Terrible experience from the moment they told us we had "won". Every step was stressful, they didn't seem interested in what we really wanted, and didn't give us what we were promised (low res digital copies) with what we bought. The photos had been poorly post-edited since we had viewed them too, with some extreme photoshopping.
    I felt we were made suckers.

    Regrettably, I didn't leave them a bad online review.

  • Matt P on 19/07/2021 - 19:22

    I dated a girl who fell in for one of these back in the early 00's.

    As everyone else above, "free" photo shoot. I didn't go on the day but went along to the viewing. The photos were $200+ each and as above, they printed them all already and were planning on binning if she didnt buy them.

    A lot of the photos had obvious issues too (i.e. perfect focus on a pimple, a picture where you could see her bare feet and the bottoms of her feet were a bit dirty from walking around the studio barefoot for 2 hours. They offered to photoshop the images to remove the blemishes etc.. at an extra $80 per photo….

    She was a poor uni student but against my recommendation ended up buying 2-3 photos…. needless to say i didnt marry her :p

    • Zachary on 23/07/2021 - 02:09
      -1

      Damn $200 for one photoshoot? Maybe I should get into photography…. Be my own scam artist! Hehehehehe…

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