The Internet has revolutionized, innovated, and completely transformed the way most industries do business, photography in particular. With more than 2.6 billion camera phones in use across the world, people are taking more pictures in two minutes than humanity did as a whole in the 19th century. There are also a myriad of places to share pictures, too. Facebook and Instagram users upload 350 million and 75 million new pics, respectively, each day.
And now, there’s a London-based self-employed photographer who will only be accepting payment in the form of cryptocurrency Bitcoin, at least for the next half year. Abigail Scarlett says she discovered the online payment system in early 2014, when she was working as a freelancer, shooting for companies, models, and fashion publications in exchange for U.S. currency. She quickly became involved, attending as many Bitcoin meets as possible in London. At 9 p.m. on April 13, she launched her new site, becoming London’s first ever Bitcoin-only photographer. She’s already landed two clients. “I fully understand how risky my decision to only accept Bitcoin payments is,” Scarlett told PetaPixel, “but I choose to view it as a brilliant way of introducing people to Bitcoin, rather than a burden to business.” Although it’s a rather unorthodox method of payment, it may be a preferable option for some in the freelance economy. Bitcoin is form of currency first made in 2009 that uses cryptography to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. According to CNN, they’re used to make transactions with no middle men, which means no banks, no transactions fees, and total anonymity if needed. At the time this article was written, a single bitcoin was valued at $220.90 USD. Scarlett plans to charge her clients using a “pay what you can” basis, once the basic expenses have been covered. She’ll work with clients to hash out a fee that’s fair for both parties. “If you are really strapped for cash bitcoin, I will still consider doing the shoot,” she said. “Just remember my bitcoin wallet address when you eventually get super rich and famous!” |