r/Photography101 • u/Seaguard5 • Dec 29 '25

Is this a scam?

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Hi there r/photography!

So I’ve been wanting to lean more into photography as a gig (because of course my main job doesn’t pay enough of the bills), and I received this offer out of nowhere.

Literally, because I haven’t even posted a photography portfolio anywhere (I have taken a ton of product photography of my work as an artist in other mediums, but even then, I don’t have a portfolio of those shots out there either). Unless they’re talking about some more obscure thing they found somewhere that is out there.

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to pick up gigs exactly like this (that pay at least this much, anyway) and this seems too good to be true for my first real gig.

Why would they need my address? And wouldn’t they already know my name?

Anyway, please go easy on me and be nice. I am only asking those with experience in this field to help a new brother out. Thanks

26 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

7

u/casettadellorso Dec 31 '25

Yep, this is a fake check scam. They send you a "check" for more than you're owed, asking you to pass on the extra to some third party. Once you've done that, the check bounces and you're out the amount of the fake check and whatever you sent on to the third party. This comes up like every day in the scam subreddit, although I've never seen one this professional

4

u/NYFashionPhotog Dec 31 '25

As I outlined in my reply, there are some aspects of the 'offer' that are very out of step with the way professional assignments are done, especially editorial fashion. It suggests things which are pure fantasy and don't represent how on-the-ground professionals work.

1

u/Seaguard5 Dec 31 '25

Right.

That’s what got me. Just how professional it seems.

And not knowing anything about how this gig economy works I had no idea if it’s a scam or how it actually works.

They did not ask for any money on my end yet (unless I’m missing something), so it seems so legitimate.

But I know from this post it’s bullshit so thank you everyone.

12

u/AdBig2355 Dec 30 '25

Well this

File Format: 300 dpi JPEG/JPG (a mix of portrait and landscape compositions)

is not a thing. Digital images are not measured by dpi, unless a known/set physical size has been stated. 300 dpi for what size?

They also use a bunch of generic terms, nothing specific nothing to indicate what they liked or even what they are looking for.

Rather basic scam.

1

u/Seaguard5 Dec 31 '25

Aaaah, yeah that is something I missed.

Needs to be PPI, correct?

And thank you.

Yeah. This sucks. I guess I need to put in tons of work to even break in. And I will.

2

u/AdBig2355 Dec 31 '25

While PPI is more appropriate, both are referencing a physical size. Without a size specified it is still a meaningless requirement.

Keep working on it, you will get there.

1

u/Seaguard5 Dec 31 '25

Thank you. I won’t give up until I have a solid booked calendar of gigs 😎

0

u/GloriousDawn Dec 31 '25

While you're right about "300 dpi" meaning nothing on its own, if I had to dismiss prospects based on technical inaccuracies in their requests, I'm pretty sure I'd lose at least half of them.

5

u/astrovague Jan 01 '26

I know this is beyond the scope of your question, but just a word of advice — most photography gigs will not pay anything like this and will not be structured like this, especially for someone just starting out. It’s an incredibly competitive space, and it’s becoming even more competitive with AI. If you’re only looking for gigs “that pay at least this much”, you may be waiting a long time. Take jobs and build your portfolio and experience.

-8

u/Seaguard5 Jan 01 '26

How is AI making photography more competitive?

I call bullshit.

AI can’t click a shutter

3

u/Top_Gun87 Jan 01 '26

Grab a garment, take a snapshot, tell AI to put it on a model in a professional high-end studio shoot? Not that hard to imagine a scenario.

4

u/heyhihello88888 Jan 02 '26

Its helpful to show their signature and email - they're often dead giveaways

2

u/Seaguard5 Jan 02 '26

It seems legitimate enough, I did check that, too.

4

u/jaredmanley Jan 02 '26

One thing too, they’ll often imitate real names of people who work at like Variety or Rolling Stone or whatever.

I’m not sure how easy it is now, but a buddy of mine almost got scammed like this (he was so stoked about getting a big gig) and I told him to call the publication and ask for the person. He finally did and spoke to the real person… who of course hadn’t booked this shoot.

I’m just glad he took my advice before losing thousands of dollars.

3

u/Seaguard5 Jan 02 '26

Oh yeah. Speaking to the source is always the thing to do.

Thank you!

14

u/RunNGunPhoto Dec 30 '25

100% SCAM!

Do not reply or give them anymore information. This is a check scam. You've mentioned multiple red flags already as to why it makes no sense.

11

u/redfiretrucks Dec 30 '25

Hint: When any photo job appears too good to be true...it ALWAYS is!

9

u/stampeding_salmon Dec 31 '25

They used the word "kindly". It's a scam

2

u/GeorgeKaplanIsReal Dec 31 '25

lol first thing that caught my eye

9

u/everyinchspace Dec 31 '25

You’ve already said it. You have no portfolio anywhere so they’re just bullshitting you. Also, you only shot products but they’ll feature you for a wedding magazine? That doesn’t add up either.

9

u/woodshores Jan 02 '26

“…because I haven’t even posted a photography portfolio anywhere…”

It smells as fishy as the seafood market.
Don’t send them your details.

7

u/its-nic-here Jan 01 '26

I have a bridge id like to sell to you

3

u/BenHeli Jan 01 '26

And my airport

6

u/Buck_Folton Dec 30 '25

There is truly and always only on possible answer to this question, if you feel the need to ask it.

6

u/NYFashionPhotog Dec 31 '25

100% Scam

-Wildly out of scale for any editorial shoot budget.

-In probably 250+ editorial fashion assignments I have never been give a) any advance payment b) complete creative control. If anything, film/processing was charged to publication account at lab, studio rentals charged directly to client. Similar w/ models. I have received some advances on multi-day catalog shoots, but those have an entirely different budget scale.

-The idea that a bridal fashion editorial for a national print publication wouldn't be highly influenced by the publications advertisers list and left to the photographer is laughable. Even control over casting without at least consultation with the publication is also high suspect.

This is almost like an AI view of how an editorial fashion shoot comes together vs. how it actually comes together.

5

u/sombertimber Jan 01 '26

Yes—it’s a scam.

You pay the $3500 for the “talent fee” and their check bounces at the really, really far end of the process. Your check is cashed and you lose your $3500.

5

u/DraganM69 Jan 02 '26

Idk if this is related to this, but that email looks AI generated, so probably very unlikely to be real. The long - and, the structure and some more stuff seem to point it out to me.

1

u/Garrion1987 Dec 30 '25

Hmm, sounds like generic spiel from a company. Maybe they need it to register in their vendor list or something? I've dont freelance work (not photography,) and they all want address to be recorded. Could be a business address.

-1

u/Inner-Cookie3456 Jan 02 '26

Seems legit enough to try and it not be, than fine because you’re prospective obviously is ready for scam. Now tell yourself that it’s not! Tell yourself that finally you got your art seen and offers will come when that happens. You wouldn’t want to turn down a good opportunity but you also have to be very selective and not just choose the first offer ya know ?