Brand Partnerships
I recently started accepting provided gear and setting up affiliate links for products I use, have used or I genuinely trust.
I want to be upfront about exactly what it means.
If you've been following this work for a while, you know I don't soften things. That same standard applies to the gear I talk about.
My kit revolves around cameras that get out of the way of the shot. Any product I agree to test has to meet that bar. If it disrupts the workflow, adds friction where there should be none, or doesn't represent the reality of a scene, it doesn't stay in the bag, and it doesn't get recommended here.
Sending me gear buys a thorough field test. Not a positive review.
I keep full control over what gets published. If something earns its place on the street, I'll say so. If it doesn't, I'll say that too. And if a brand tries to alter, soften, or veto a negative verdict, that relationship ends immediately. The review still goes out, along with a public note about why the collaboration is over. I'll happily pack the gear back up rather than publish something I don't stand behind.
There's no shame in a partnership. There is shame in not being upfront about one.
Labeling Standards
Whenever I talk about gear, the relationship will be clearly labeled:
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Affiliate/Referral: I earn a small cut if you use a link or code. I only set these up for things I actually respect.
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Provided: A brand sent it for free to test. No money changed hands, and I send it back when I'm done.
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Gifted: A brand sent it for free, and I get to keep it.
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Sponsored: I was paid to create content featuring the product.
If something isn't labeled, I paid for it myself.
A photograph is a permanent record of a decision. Putting my name on a piece of gear carries the same weight.
Current Collaborations
- RCE Foto: Affiliate/Referral + Provided gear
- Thypoch: Affiliate/Referral
- Light Lens Lab: Affiliate/Referral + Provided gear
This list will be updated as things change.
I'll get things wrong occasionally. If you think I've missed a flaw, let a bias slip through, or been unfair in either direction, call it out. I'd rather be corrected by this community than protect a verdict that doesn't hold up.