Collaborating with a Photographer (as a Model or an Artist)
Interested in a collab? What does it mean if somebody asks you to do a collab with them? What are some of the expectations and etiquette to remember?
A collaboration or 'collab' for short is an action or situation in which two or more people work together to create or achieve something. Photographers sometimes collaborate with (often aspiring) models, dancers, influencers, artists, athletes etc. to do a photoshoot. The arrangement usually means there is no exchange of fees, but the creative or professional value of the end product is worth it to the parties involved.
Even when photographers have a business and
earn money through regular fees, they may still participate in a collaborative
project perhaps because they want to try something new, expand their portfolio, submit photos to a magazine, practice a new skill or using a new gear, or get promoted through the project.
These are things they might find difficult to do with clients, as in these cases photographers have to ultimately do what the client wants or requires. However, in a collab, the photographer has the freedom to direct the shoot the way they want, experiment with different attires or costumes, as well as the hair and make-up of the subject or model in a way that is risk-free.
What can you expect in a collab? What are the terms?
Before you do the photoshoot, it is necessary to discuss each other's ideas, expectations and the terms of the collaboration. Usually, a photographer will invite someone for a collab because that person may embody the look or concept that he or she is seeking for a particular project.
The photographer probably already has a location in mind and a mood board. You can still suggest your ideas, but don't expect that you will be in charge of what's going to happen in the session. If you want to direct the shoot yourself and can't compromise, perhaps you should hire a photographer instead of doing a collab with one.
Making an agreement
It's a good idea to come to a formal agreement or sign a contract (a collaboration agreement) before the shoot just so the expectations are clear. The agreement should include the following:
- how many photos you will receive
- what kind of photo editing or retouching to expect
- what the terms are regarding the use of the photos
- how to credit each other on social media
Don't expect to get all the photos taken
It's important to be aware that you may not be shown every single unedited photo that was taken during the shoot. Photographers protect their brand and will not give or show you photos that is not consistent with that brand or that can possibly ruin it. They won't want such pictures to circulate and have their name attributed to them.
Also, the unedited images
that you will choose from will probably have watermarks in them that say 'photo proof'
to prevent you from editing them on your own and posting them on social
media. From those proofs, you will choose the pictures that you'd
like to be edited according to what you and the photographer have agreed upon.
Photo editing/retouching
The photographer will probably discuss with you how the pictures are going to be edited. Because it's a collaboration and not a paid project, don't be surprised if not a lot of photographers would be willing to do more than basic edits unless they are to be submitted to a magazine.
Hence, making demands to make you thinner or curvier, your skin alabaster smooth, change your hair and eye color in the picture may be a little too much as these will take a considerable amount of time to do. Even if you paid for a photographer's services, high end retouching will be priced differently from minor ones.
The use of the photos
In a collaboration, you will also have to agree on how the photos will be used. Just because the pictures have your face on them does not mean that you can do whatever you want with them. The photographer still owns the copyright to those photos. Therefore, there are terms that need to be followed.
As such you cannot sell the photos (on stock photos for example) or use them for commercial purposes. The photographer is not allowed to do this either without your permission. You will be asked to sign a model release or the two of you will have to come up with an agreement if somebody makes an offer to buy the photos from the collaborative shoot.
Another thing to remember is that as a form of respect to the photographer's artistic work, you should refrain from cropping, editing, or applying filters on the finalized photos. Photographers edit pictures in their raw format, so the final product will be in high resolution, but if you crop and/or apply a filter on the picture (you received from the photographer which is in jpeg format), the photo will lose some of its quality. No photographer would appreciate being credited for a photo that someone else has retouched, especially if the quality has declined. (The picture on the right has been cropped and applied with an Instagram filter for illustrative purposes. The filter may look cool, but after being edited in jpeg format, the picture has lost some of its quality.)
As an analogy, if someone brings a dish to your potluck party, it would not be polite for you to make some changes to it and still say that 'This person cooked this dish' when you serve it to the guests.
Giving Credit
It is very discourteous to post pictures from a collab on social media without crediting the photographer. If you pay for your pictures to be taken, you may not have to mention the photographer when you post your photos (although it is still much appreciated when you provide credit -- this applies to any creative product you post on the web). Since the photographer did not get paid for the services in a collaboration, it is necessary to acknowledge him or her. You are not required to say nice things, but the least you can do is mention who took those photos just like how you need to cite an author properly when you use their ideas or refer to their work in your term paper.
In addition, please bear in mind that it's not enough to just tag the photographer on social media because tagging someone does not mean that they took the pictures (People sometimes just tag others to get the latter's attention). Also, even if the photographer is not your friend on Facebook or your follower on Instagram, etc. you will still have to give him or her credit by writing his or her full name and handle if you know it.
And when the photographer posts photos of you, he or she also has the same responsibility to acknowledge you and not just tag you. Collaborations are done so that the parties can promote each other which is why it is essential to credit whoever is involved in the project (whether they are hair stylists, make-up artists, fashion designers, etc.). Such collaborations can give an opportunity for each party to reach a new audience, get new followers or even sell products.
Can I just invite photographers to collaborate with me?
Sure, why not? It's important to note though that you need something artistic (or of value) to offer for them to want to take pictures of you for free, especially if you are looking into collaborating with experienced photographers. Sometimes it might be easier to approach a newer photographer who is also very talented. Also, be prepared to show your (online or printed) portfolio or at least your best photos on social media if you don't have a portfolio yet.
Find a photographer who matches your style
When looking for a photographer to collaborate with, make sure that his or her style matches yours. Hence, you need to check out their work beforehand to see if you would be a good match. For instance, if you like vibrant colours, it may not be a good idea to approach someone who is into pastel tones or vintage type photography because you might not like the finished product when you get your photos.
Also, if you're the type who wants to look sexy and sultry in your pictures, perhaps you should not ask a photographer whose portfolio is filled with dainty or classically elegant portraits because he or she will likely reject you, not because you're not attractive enough but because you're not what he or she is looking for. Even if the photographer is willing to collaborate with you, you may not like his or her style -- in posing you, his/her choice in background/backdrop and the end product.
Do I have to look like a model to invite a photographer to do a collab with me?
You don't necessarily have to be gorgeous or modelesque to approach a photographer. The most important thing is that you need to know what to do in front of the camera. However, if you feel a little awkward in photoshoots or can only do one or two facial expressions, then perhaps suggesting a collab is not the best thing to do because photographing you won't be very different from photographing a client. When photographers collaborate with people, they're expecting to be able to take a lot of great shots in a short time without having to direct your every little move.
I've met attractive women and men who are not very photogenic and it's not because a part of their face doesn't look nice in pictures, but because they don't know how to project their best for the cameras even when directed. This is the reason why not everyone who is conventionally beautiful can be models.
Models are not necessarily the most stunning people in the world when you see them in person. They just know how to look great when being photographed -- they can do hundreds (perhaps even thousands) of different poses and facial expressions on their own with minimal instructions. Do you have what it takes to look striking or expressive in photos? So, are you ready to do a collab?