The pros and cons of pay-what-you-want

From an artist whose rates are based on donations to major galleries and theatre companies offering flexible prices, what are the challenges of operating in such a way?

When Lismore photographer Raimond de Weerdt began taking portraits of the town’s creative community late in 2021 he decided to do it by donation.

Fortunately for de Weerdt it’s been the former. Posting the portraits on social media as he went not only led to a steady stream of creatives wanting their portraits taken, it also resulted in some commercial commissions.

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Christine Long is a freelance journalist based in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. She has contributed to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Travel + Leisure Australia, Galah magazine, and Australian Educator magazine.