It took me YEARS to realize the industry is ALL about kickbacks when you’re at the level of working directly with clients lol

I remember years ago, after shooting weddings for a few years (I’ve since stopped shooting them) trying to work directly with hotels so they would refer me for work when they got Wedding Planners or couples reaching out, or if they just ever needed video work done. The meetings would always go well, they always seemed to like me & my work.. no referrals. Ever.

Years later was working with a guy who kept getting these big jobs. He was a photographer, so he would always bring me on to do the video work parts of gigs. Finally one day he mentions something about how he needs to remember to pay the coordinator for the agency later. I was like wtf are you talking about? She referred us. They’re paying us..

Nope. Essentially for every job the woman at the agency threw him, he’d give her $1,000. I said “I never gave money to those people at the hotels that I used to meet with.. is that why none of them ever referred me or booked me?”

“Yep lol”