I recently was hired to shoot for a client who will be participating in a sporting event. Said sporting event also has official photographers by the event organizers, but they are only paid via direct sales to participants, no upfront payment. Taking this job means ill be cutting in potential sales for the official photographers, whom I am also friends and shoot with from time to time.
My question is, is it morally ok for me to take the job in these situations? My client came directly to me even when they could’ve chosen the official photographers themselves. Should I just honor my clients wishes and go ahead? Looking at the big picture I realize the bigger assholes are the organizers who don’t pay their official photographers upfront.
Has anyone been put in similar situations? I’d really appreciate some second thoughts and discussions. Thanks.
…unfortunately the organizers do indeed take a percentage of the sales, as they use their social media platform to promote and facilitate the sales with the competitors. I’ve since declined any jobs from those organizers due to this model and have worked with way better organizers with better deals. My friends on the other hand…