There’s been a lot of debate over the years about whether or not to pay for taking someone’s photo while traveling abroad. My personal opinion is this: it all depends. I’ve been in situations where people have offered to pose in return for money. And I’ve been in situations where people have offered their time without any request for money whatsoever. Some photographers feel very strongly on this subject and believe that paying for a photo is a form of cheating, not to mention a form of “photo prostitution”. My position has changed a bit on this subject, but generally speaking I don’t like being told to pay for a photo. I typically will ask if a person minds having their photo taken. If they say no problem, then at the end of the shoot I make a judgment call whether or not to tip them for their time. If a person agrees, but only with payment in tow, then I ask myself if I really want the shot or not, I would say 85% of the time I pass. Overall, I would consider myself a good tipper. For instance, at a restaurant the wait staff has to be really bad for me to leave less than a 20% tip. So when I travel I generally bring a roll of dollar bills in the native currency, or coins, to use for tipping for photographs. I’ll tell you what is poor form: it’s the foreigner who knowingly takes a photo of a subject who is expecting or requesting payment and then buggers off without even a thank you. Keep in mind, tipping isn’t required, but in some cases it’s considered good form.
However, I feel the true adventure as well as personal & professional growth comes in getting to know your subject. Over the past few years, if I’ve spent a little time with someone taking their photo or if I get to know them, I typically will also offer to mail them prints from the shoot.
Cecelia Lee
Case in point:
I have found that “photo prostitution” is more prevalent in the larger cities, but once you reach the back country the approach is often nothing more than just asking. Today’s photos were taken awhile back in rural, Jamaica. We spent several days with a guide exploring some of the back country, or as the guide put it, the “Real Jamaica.” I found that unlike in the larger city centers, the people living in the countryside were very inviting and welcomed having their photo taken. I came across a family living near the Roaring River and simply asked the mother (Cecelia Lee) if she would mind if I took photos of her home and family. I spent several hours with Cecelia and her wonderful family. At the end of the visit, we exchanged telephone numbers and addresses. I offered to mail her some of the photos and yes, I even gave her a little money for her family. Long story short, I mailed prints to Ceceila a few months ago and last month, out of the blue, I received a phone call from her. She just called to thank me for the prints and to let me know she would love to see us visit again when time permits. Cecelia doesn’t have much in terms of monetary wealth, but she’s rich with love and pride for her family.
So when yourself should I pay for a photo, I think the real question is…what is this photo worth? My time with Cecelia and her family was priceless in comparison to the many peddlers in Jamaica that asked for a dollar for each click of the shutter.
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That is really nice.