Photographer needed on 30th August 2008

[Mr Bottle]

I am writing on the behalf of Mr Bottle’s Kids Party. We are an Entertainment Company that provides premium entertainment to all kind of events and functions. More information can be found at www.kidsparty.com.sg. Mr Bottle’s Kids Party is having his Kids Club Launch at Suntec City Shopping Mall at Happy Kidz on 30th August 2008, Saturday, from 12 to 8pm.

As such, we would like to invite you to support this launch by taking photos during these 8 hours. This would be a good opportunity for you to demonstrate the quality of your photography skills to the parents, as well as to us. We have yet recruit a photographer to join our big family, we are currently looking for one. Also, you can give out your name cards to the parents as well. This will help to introduce you to the parents. This is also a great opportunity for you to increase public awareness and gain publicity with very low cost. We will also recommend your service to parents when they booked our birthday shows and entertainment.

In summary, these are the benefits you could get in supporting our Kids Club Launch:

1. Publicity in a high traffic area on a weekend and school holiday.

2. We will update our 1400 over clients in our mailing database about this launch. Most of our clients have high spending powers, and most lived in landed property, if not condo. We will be doing press releases and announcing the event on magazines and periodicals.

3. You can include your brochures or vouchers for parents in our goodie bags and at the booth.

4. Besides giving your support in this launch, we are also looking at working at a long term partnership with you. Cross promotional strategies such as providing your link in our website, referral through word-of-mouth, etc will definitely benefit the both parties. We can further discuss this if you are interested.

I would be most appreciative of a reply to let me know of your interest. You and any other representatives would be most welcome to attend so that we could thank you personally for your support. You may reach me at: 65155921.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

Best Regards,
Herrine Chua
Sales & Marketing Executive

 

[snowspeeder]

So what is the remuneration like to provide event photography services to your company?

 

[Cheesecake]

to cut the chase, how much per hour?

 

[fotoudavid]

support means no pay.

 

[kingfisherfan]

support means no pay.

yup no pay..............." As this is a marketing effort, we do not generate profits from this event, and thus, will not be paying for photographer. Jus wondering if you are interested to support us in this launch by taking photos during this launch from 12pm to 8pm with no cost.""

 

[wranger]

8 hours of our time to exchange for free exposure.....:think:

 

[eosdigital]

Ever heard of the term "Pay It Forward"?

 

[Dream Merchant]

I don't understand why everyone here is so pessimistic.

After all, isn't ours a 'Free-Market'?

Here, we have a very professionally written mass-marketing mail message which has probably been sent to more than one person, or forum, verbatim, offering 'untold opportunities'.

Ms Herrine Chua doesn't sound like any of the other less refined events companies looking to sneakly exploit CSers, does she?

She states her situation, clearly, and openly, for all to see, and in our 'free market' practice, so, we should open our eyes and see ...

1) We are offered promises of exposure, and this IS backed by a cross-marketing proposal of ALLOWING us to include our materials in their goodie-bags ... all for shooting for 8 hours at their launch party - AT ABSOLUTELY NO COST, let alone fees or expenses.

Considering that a freelance event photographer fee ranges from $80 - $180/he, and one professionals is $500/hr, this shared marketing effort would have costed you anywhere from $640 - $4,000 - just to put in your name cards, leaflets or vouchers in their goodie bags.

2) As part of this 'non-profit' making marketing effort, we can expect that Mr Bottle WILL NOT be making ANY sort of profit from this marketing effort, now, or anywhere in the future. I am sure Herrine of Mr Bottle will be willing to assure us by providing written permission allowing us unlimited access to their enquiries and bookings records, and accounts log-books ... so as to assure us that this is truly a 'non-profit exercise'. She does sound open and honest so we can be sure this arrangement would not be a problem, right? Also, since it so clearly claimed to be a 'non-profit marketing exercise', there should be NO PROBLEMS for Mr Bottle to sign a contract of non-usage of ANY materials submitted, in any form, anywhere, in any medium and media, and at anytime, without the written and express permission of the photographer, right?

3) If some enterprising photographer is shrewd enough to recognize what a golden opportunity this is, to be allowed to "demonstrate" their photographic skills, surely they will realize that they are in no way obligated to submit ANY un-water-marked photos regardless of resolution, since such un-watermaked material is technically not required for professional assessment. In fact, such materials, should be in LO-RES and DISTINCTIVELY WATER-MARKED in at LEAST two places in any files submitted for professional assessment.

3) We, as professionals, and aspiring professionals in the field of photographic and visual marketing communications surely KNOW the value of reaching out to people who "HAVE LIVED" in landed property, if not condo (sic).

4) Again, we are given the rare opportunity of undisclosed and hinted at 'exposure' via "press releases and announcing the event on magazines and periodicals." AND WE'RE NOT EVEN BEING ASKED TO SHARE THE COST OF SUCH ADVERTISING! How much better can it get than this?

But ... if such 'press releases and announcements on (sic) magazines and periodicals' are IN THE PLANNING STAGES, as STATED, and HAVEN'T ALREADY been published and distributed, you just HAVE to realize the enormous influence it takes to get such materials created, approved and printed as well as distributed in time for the 30 Aug 2008 Launch Party ... since this announcement was made JUST 17 hours ago, on 29 Aug 2008.

5) "we are also looking at working at a long term partnership with you. Cross promotional strategies such as providing your link in our website, referral through word-of-mouth, etc will definitely benefit the both parties. We can further discuss this if you are interested."

WHO, in their right mind would not want to JUMP on an opportunity like this?

You have:

5.1: Long Term partnership
5.2 Promise of Cross-promotions

Does this mean, that, for such wonderful opportunities, so rare in this day and age where almost everyone in a business is only interested in lining their own pockets, we too have to recognize, and appreciate such golden opportunities ... by NOT ASKING FOR A REASONABLE PROFESSIONAL FEE OF AT LEAST $80 - $180/hr, with FULL rights maintained ... right?


OK, I'm sold! Where do I sign up?

 

[augustai]

I am interested too but I do not have the expertise and the setup to go alone or to be the main photographer. If there is someone who is keen to take up the offer but short of manpower, I am willing to offer my service for free to help out (to gain experience and I really love kids).

 

[WuffRuff]

I support DM's view on this matter.
There are organisers who exploit photographers by offering too-low rates or even asking them to shoot for free. But you should note that in this case, although no monetary rewards are being given, the photographer is being given a marketing service in exchange for his photography service. Since no monetary value is given, you will have to calculate or work out if this exchange is a fair trade to you. As DM calculated, the marketing cost/service exceeds the photography rate, so to him, it is a good deal. Perhaps you have other ways of determining the value or perhaps do not place as much value on the marketing aspect of your business, well that's your take and fair enough... if you find it not worth your time and effort, then forget it. As value on services is rather subjective (1 hr of manicure might be worth $100 to someone but to you it's just a waste of time), it's up to the individual perception. However, the fact is that TS is not exploiting anyone. She is offering a fair exchange of service for service, just like barter trade in the days when no $ was in use. Just as the manicure place is not exploiting anyone just becos it provides a service you do not value. Don't like manicure, just move on. You find this marketing opportunity not worth your time, just move on.

I am interested too but I do not have the expertise and the setup to go alone or to be the main photographer. If there is someone who is keen to take up the offer but short of manpower, I am willing to offer my service for free to help out (to gain experience and I really love kids).

As this is an open offer, you will NOT be the main photographer. She is just opening up this opportunity for photographers to go shoot and network and market themselves... and if the parents like your photos and wanna buy it, then maybe you can sell it (not so sure on this, gotta cehck T&C carefully). So if u're keen and like the subject matter as you said, just go ahead and give it a try. Do not worry whether your photos can make it or not as it is not a paid assignment and there will likely be many photographers and no lack of good photos (i believe, in good faith). Just go and do it. If you always worry about your expertise, then you will never step out and try and never know what you can do. Of course, paid shoots where u have obligations to deliver is another story, but this is a good opportunity for you to get some experience and maybe get a gauge if you can make it or not. Good luck!


As for me, I'm very surprised that the TS posted this so last minute actually... the day before?!? :bigeyes: I'm sure this event was planned waaaaay before yesterday!! I smell a little fishy here... maybe their photographer pulled out last minute or what. But nevertheless, as long as they deliver what they promise, all is fair. I just got to know about it too late and so will have to give it a miss... which i feel is a waste.

 

[catchlights]

If you think doing it as a barter trade for your marketing purpose, do take note on these..

# marketing drive is long term project
# you will not see results for one time event
# you will only see the results after three or four rounds, or event five rounds
# for maintaining long term effect, you need to doing it periodically

 

[Cheesecake]

as the event is currently being held, this thread will have serve no further purpose at all.

good luck to those who took this assignment, i hope it eventually will... work out for u.


:thumbsup:



haf a nice weekend!