Every photographer has heard it at some point: “It will be great exposure for you.”
On the surface, that might sound like a compliment. But here’s the truth — exposure doesn’t pay the bills, put gas in the car, buy equipment, or cover the time and skill poured into making each image.
The Real Cost Behind the Lens
Creating professional photography isn’t just about pressing a button. There are travel costs, gear investments, editing hours, printing, framing, and the years of learning it takes to master the craft. When someone asks for free or reduced digitals, prints, or unpaid displays, they’re not just asking for a favor — they’re asking the artist to carry those costs alone.
Why “Exposure” Undervalues the Work
Exposure only benefits the artist when it leads to paying opportunities. Too often, though, “exposure” is used as a way to avoid paying at all. For photographers who sell fine art or professional services, giving work away for free or reduce cost devalues it, undermines collectors’ trust, and creates the false expectation that art should be cheap or free.
How to Truly Support Photographers
If you love an artist’s work, support them by:
Purchasing prints or digital files through their official shop or gallery.
Commissioning them for custom work.
Sharing their work with credit and encouraging others to invest in it.
Respecting an artist’s prices isn’t just about money — it’s about sustaining the creative community so we can keep creating.
The Bottom Line
Exposure doesn’t pay the bills. Respect does. The next time you admire a photographer’s work, remember: the best way to show appreciation is to value it enough to pay for it.
