Lay My Hat

I've just received a second Enquiry from a young fashion photographer who wants to stay in my property free for a few days with a couple of models to do a photo shoot in exchange for the publicity she'd generate from her published photos and I'd get use of the photos. I'm not sure I'd accept this, even if I could, the dates she wants are already booked. She does check out on Facebook.

Would you take a booking of this nature?

Personally I wouldn't. If you want to hire a place for a shoot you have to pay for it. Also anyone can be anything they like on Facebook.

I have had several of these requests; including, "we are film students at the local uni and want to make a film in your fabulous property for our final year, this will be just for 3 days and we will make sure it's looked after and that you get a mention in the student rag".

Thanks but no thanks...what possible benefit is there from having your property mentioned as the location for a fashion shoot - zero.

Could end up with your place starring in a porn movie.

You have no guarantee that the photos would be published. Even if they were, no guarantee that the site would be appropriate to for anyone looking for a holiday.

You could suggest you get paid for the booking and refund a small percentage for every subsequent booking a result of the publicity created by the photographer

Definitely wouldn't accept it. Even if it generated just one booking that's one hell of a high commission to pay, which could even effectively be more than the value of a subsequent booking. They are guaranteed to benefit massively from free accommodation for god knows how many people, but you are guaranteed nothing in return.

Thanks all, your responses pretty much reflect my thoughts on this too. Using her position to try and bag a free holiday with her modelling mates is how I saw it too. Nice work if you can get it! I'll be replying to her that the villa is booked anyway. She's not that bright if she can't see from my website that it's booked.

Not only would I not accept it, but if I was going to accept location bookings, I'd be charging more than my normal rates.

edinburgh wrote:Not only would I not accept it, but if I was going to accept location bookings, I'd be charging more than my normal rates.

Plus a walk on part!