Hierarchy of Payment

sirfrogsworth:

There is this weird phenomenon in photography between models and photographers. A sort of caste system for who pays who. 

If you are a good photographer and the model is just starting out, then the model must pay the photographer.

If you are a new photographer and the model is experienced, then the photographer must pay the model. 

If both are new then there is an awkward exchange… 

“Do I pay you?” 
“I thought I had to pay you.” 
“You can pay me if you want to.” 
“What if neither of us pay and we just tell people we got paid when it is beneficial to do so?” 
“Deal.”

Then there is the rare fourth occurrence when both model and photographer have inflated egos and can’t decide who is higher up on the food chain.

“I’m amazing. PAY ME.”
“Uhh, excuse me? I’m way more amazing. You pay ME.”
“What? My work has been on several websites!”
“Oh yeah? My work has been in a magazine. Of sorts. “Brochure” might be more accurate.”
“OH YEAH? Well, my stock photography was used on the packaging of a feminine hygiene product.”
“OH YEAH!!?? My stock photos were used in an advertisement for erectile dysfunction medication. I was the smiling wife after he took the pills!”

Legend says they are still arguing about who deserves to get paid to this day.