But Is It Free?

Yes, it's free

There's no fee, no deposit and no admin charge at any point, before or after your session.

Free means free of money. It's still a trade: you give your time and ideas, I give mine, and we both leave with something. That's what makes it a collaboration and not a favour. I go into the difference in the guide to collaborations.

Why I do it

Because I love working with new people.

It's a challenge, especially with people who are still working out what they want to do and become. Being the first person to work with someone at the very start is a great way to begin, and I'd like to give them a good starting point and a feel for what working with a photographer can be like when it's done well.

It's also how I keep learning and building my own work. Sessions like these let me try lighting, direction and styling ideas and develop a body of editorial portrait work I'm proud of, and I use the images in my own portfolio and on my channels.

And it's something I care about. Actors, dancers, models and other creatives need strong images to show what they can do, and getting them without a budget is hard. This is one way I can help, and it only works because it's fair to both of us.

What you get, and how I use the images

You get a professionally edited set of images from your session, free to use for your portfolio and your own channels, with no end date. I keep the copyright.

I use the images too, in my portfolio, on my websites and social media, and to promote these sessions. If you ask for one to come down from my channels, I'll consider it. It's all written out in the Terms of Collaboration, so nothing is hidden.

What free doesn't mean

I can't promise work, representation or followers. I'm not an agency, and a session gives you portfolio images, not a way into one.

If any free offer promises you results, it's worth asking what is being sold. The images are what you get, and that's all I say you'll get.

How to check it's really me

Free offers can be used by scammers, so it's sensible to check anything, including me. Here's what I will and won't do.

• I'll never ask you for money, bank details, ID or your address. If someone asks for any of that in my name, it isn't me.
• Bookings are only made on book.mettyunuabona.com.
• Sessions meet in public places, or at a studio I've booked. You're welcome to bring a friend or chaperone.
• You can stop a session at any time, for any reason.
• If you're unsure about anything, email contact@mettyunuabona.com before you apply. For more on spotting a bad offer, read Photographer Green & Red Flags and Model Safety & Avoiding Scams.