For those of you who continue to read my blogs I thank you very much. I am reminded every day that there are many out there who read my blogs and enjoy them but never let me know. For those silent blog readers I thank you as well. Please note that verbalizing your appreciation will encourage me to continue my blog writing.
This blog will be about my experiences and feelings about the Miami swim week 2022. It really goes much deeper than that. I will delve into the very sensitive subject of "free", focusing on the photographers and models that continue to work these venues for nothing. I may offend many but please understand these are all my perspectives. I write in transparency. I hope this is why you like to read my blogs.
What is Miami Swim Week
https://www.racked.com/platform/amp/2014/7/25/7584867/miami-swim-week-history
Miami Swim Week is Mercedes-Benz's official fashion week for all things beach (and pool, and summer in general). And in the ten years since its inception, it's gotten seriously huge.
What began as just a handful of shows has now grown to include presentations from 50 brands at a variety of venues both official and not; this year alone attracted more than 600 media outlets and buyers from all over, accounting for a chunk of the 10,000 guests who made their way to Florida. It is, without a doubt, the most important event for swim and resort wear in the country—if not the world.
My experience photographing Miami Swim Week
In all honesty I have only photographed swim week 2-3 times of its 10+ years of existence. This has not been because I didn't want to nor because I was not qualified. For me it was more of a matter of receiving proper invites and or photographer credentials to photograph the shows. It is very clear that hundreds of photographers want to be on the "official" list and receive a photographer pass to bring your long lens in and join the other photographers in the pit.
Why am I not on the list?
Thomas Schmuki - Photographer
This year I put out multiple marketing requests on both facebook and instagram to receive invites from the designers, models or venues. I heard crickets louder in the campfires as a Boy Scout in the mountains of Colorado. I finally received invites to 3 different shows. The last one at the Hard Rock came to me the day of the show. What are my thoughts about this? Personally, I question my product, my brand, my marketing, everything. I personally know my product stands out against nearly any peer in the business. It is probably more about who I know and don't know.
Sample photos from Miami Swim Week 2022 at the Hard Rock Hotel
My photographer friends as peers
I have associated with, shot with and admired many local and national photographers. I am not shy to acknowledge their talent and product when a fantastic photo is posted. When I meet them personally at photo shoots I acknowledge your talents. I can see a little uneasiness set in when they know I have praised their work socially and there has been no reciprocation. I have no problem acknowledging talent and work. I have a lot to learn from all of you!
Why do we all work for free?
It may come as a surprise to many of my readers and fans of my photography that much of my work is done out of the goodness of my heart... free, no tip, many times not even a thank you. I mostly thank the Iphone camera craze for this. Everyone has a camera, can take pretty good pictures and have an immediate outcome that can be shared socially in a click of a finger. Your photo is clicked once, shared and likely never enjoyed again. I ask you, is your iPhone phot worthy of a magazine publication or a 20x30 print hanging in your house?
We are all to blame
I certainly do NOT want to put everyone in the same bucket but we are ALL to blame. Models who walk the runway for free, photographers and videographers who work for hours on end for free, and the list goes on.
There are real exceptions
I have been paid by many models in both private shoots and runway edits.
Fashion designers have graciously paid me.
Can I have all the photos you took of me at the runway?
This is a very common request I get from models, fashion designers, makeup artists and other show participants.
This very day I was asked by a model if I could please provide her with free photos. She told me she walked the runway for free and was upset she was not paid. This pretty much says it all.
There may be an assumption that I was HIRED by a designer or the venue, and therefore the photos are included as a PERK to their runway walk. No, I am not hired by the venue, and have only on occasion been hired by a fashion designer.
The conversation flow
After I am asked for all the photos I usually provide a listing of my show special pricing for editing and providing high quality photos. "No, just send me all of them and if I like any of them I will pay you...". I even have provided PROOF watermarked photos to models for choosing edits that proceeded to post the photos with the PROOF watermark on it. I have even had models remove the PROOF watermark from the photo and then post it.
Now to locate just your photos
Let's assume I took 2,500 photos at a fashion show. To locate every photo a model was in I need to cull through all of them to find those precious few. I then choose the photos to edit. Each edit takes from 3-10 minutes depending on what I want as a result. No, I never ever give out photos right out of my camera. I must protect my brand.
To ask for free photos is an insult to my soul. It's like asking a dentist for a free crown or a plastic surgeon for a free facelift or botox treatments. I would be embarrassed to tell you the monetary value of the gear I bring to a shoot. Free, really?
My NIKON camera gear I brought to the Hard Rock show. Nikon Z9, Z6 II and D850
I am pretty sure I am safe here because those I am talking about would never read my blog anyway.
How much time do I spend on 1 fashion show?
Rather than itemize the details which I would gladly do, the average 3 hour fashion show requires around 25-35 hours of work. This include driving, setup and breakdown, photo editing and communications with clients about the photos. This becomes a labor of love... a unidirectional love.
How do we fix this problem?
Every photographer, videographer, model and show participant who continues to agree to free will only perpetuate the problem. I am part of the problem. I admit it. I think we all are. Stop giving away your work for free.
Why do I photograph fashion and runways
The pure and simple answer is that I love doing it. I love it in spite of the all knowing back end barrage of free I will get. I love the energy, the music the entertainment. The Hard Rock show was so awesome.
I do it because I think there are very few who produce the product I do. I am very proud of that. I admire and respect many of my peers both personally and on social media. You know who you are.
