Screenshots of the post on social media on September 5, 2026. EXPAT MEDIA
A Dubai-based etiquette consultant and personal brand coach has faced criticism on social media after advertising for a photographer to work at an event on an unpaid collaboration basis.
The consultant posted the callout on Saturday (September 5), seeking a Dubai-based photographer for an evening event in DIFC on Wednesday (September 9).
In the post, she offered exposure through two etiquette-related blogs with a combined following of about 35,000 people in exchange for the photographer’s services.
“Looking for a photographer in Dubai for Wednesday 09.09 evening for unpaid collaboration. It will be a beautiful celebration, 20+ people, DIFC. Two my etiquette blogs 30K and 5K both featuring your name,” she wrote.
The post attracted a wave of critical responses from users who questioned whether social-media exposure should be offered as compensation for professional photography services.
One commenter, evgeniipivovarov, wrote: “Please hire a proper photographer with proper compensation for his time and work. BTW, 30K followers is nothing for any collab. You should mention the number of organic views for each photo post, that’s what is most important.”
Another user, Gapa2103, criticised the practice of seeking unpaid professional work. “These unpaid collaborations requests are telling us one thing: you’re not nearly as successful as you pretend to be,” the commenter wrote, adding that businesses should pay people for their “time, expertise, and services.”
Another commenter, Lindsay Keats, wrote: “You know very little about business or etiquette.”
A user identified as leadingbyadream described the proposal as “exploitation” and wrote: “Stop using people for free.”
The post also prompted a response from Soumiflika, who wrote: “After everything the UAE has been through, you, an etiquette coach, is out here asking people to work for FREE? This is frankly embarrassing for you and insulting to everyone else.”
As of Monday (September 7), the consultant had not publicly responded to the comments on the Threads post.
The criticism reflects a broader debate among freelancers and creative professionals about the value of so-called collaborations, particularly when businesses or influencers offer exposure instead of payment.
Whether an unpaid collaboration is acceptable ultimately depends on the agreement between the parties and the value each side considers to be offered. PIA/Expat Media
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