Akta Photography – Pay What You Can: Transparency Policy
​We have a mission at Akta, that is to help actors, performers, and creatives present themselves professionally and confidently to the industry. But we also know that for many, accessing high-quality headshots, showreels, VoiceReels, and SongReels can feel financially out of reach, especially when starting out, navigating periods of unemployment, or facing systemic barriers.
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That’s why we created our Pay What You Can (PWYC) initiative, which runs every month across all of our services. It’s our way of giving back to the community and helping level the playing field for emerging and working-class artists who deserve the same professional standard of portfolio materials, regardless of what’s in their bank account.
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This initiative exists to support those who may not be able to invest in a full-price package right now, but who still have the drive, talent, and commitment to push forward in their careers. Over the years, we’ve seen PWYC clients land agents, secure auditions, book work, and grow in confidence - all because they finally had the portfolio they needed to open doors.
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What Pay What You Can Means
Each month, we allocate a number of discounted sessions where you tell us what you can afford to pay. If accepted, you'll receive the same care, quality, and experience as any full-paying client. There are no shortcuts or compromises, just support at a price point that’s manageable for you.
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How the Application Process Works
Because we receive hundreds of applications every month, we can’t offer a place to everyone who applies. As much as we wish we could help everyone, we simply don’t have the capacity.
Instead, we have a selection process. When you apply, you’re not guaranteed a spot - but you’ll be in the running alongside other applicants.
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We assess each application using the following three criteria:
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1. Your Talent & Experience
We review your Spotlight profile (or equivalent) to get a sense of your training, credits, and potential. This doesn’t mean you need an impressive CV or big-name credits - we’re interested in your craft, dedication, and where you are in your journey.
2. Your Portfolio Needs
We look at how up to date your current headshots or reels are, what services you've accessed before, and how much of a difference this session could make in moving you forward. Priority often goes to those who haven’t yet had the chance to work with us, or whose materials are out of date or no longer serving them.
3. Your Why (For Offers Under £75)
If you apply with an offer under £75, we ask you to provide a written response. Tell us what this opportunity would mean to you. We want to hear your voice. Be honest, be real - this is your chance to share what’s going on behind the scenes and why this support would matter.
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Please Note: This Is a Community-Focused Offering, Not an Entitlement
We created PWYC to uplift artists in need and make our industry more equitable, but no one is automatically entitled to a discounted session just by applying.
Submitting an application means you are put forward for consideration, not that you are guaranteed a place.
We ask everyone to approach the process with understanding and respect. This is something we offer from the heart, and we commit significant time and resources every month to making it happen. We appreciate your patience, and we deeply value every story we read.
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🔒 Your Privacy Comes First
Any and all data you share with us through the PWYC application form stays 100% internal.
We do not share, sell, or repurpose this information under any circumstances.
What you write stays confidential and is used only by the Akta team for the purposes of selection. We respect your privacy, your story, and your trust.
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Final Thoughts
We know how tough this industry can be, and how hard it is to work and keep going. That’s why this initiative exists: to support you when you need it most.
Whether you're new to Akta or returning, we’re so grateful to have you in our community. Thank you for trusting us with your story and for taking a step forward, however big or small.
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If you ever have questions about the process or your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via email on info@aktaphotography.com