Keeping photography as a hobby

dinneenp

It's a tricky one- people think just because you're 'into' photography that it's not bother to photo their occasion and don't normally think about the prep, work, you not being able to enjoy the occasion(drink), and the PP work.

My best experience was that I was at my cousins wedding in London, my wife couldn't go. so I took loads of pictures of the wedding and made them a blurb book as a suprise. Preview link (15 pages) hereAs it wasn't planned and they didn't ask me there was no pressure on me.

As I said earlier I think just be honest and say you're not comfortable doing it and would prefer not to. End of

magnumlady

Deleted User wrote: »

Magnumlady, did they actually ask you for prints? Was there any agreement for anything like that before hand?

If they didn't ask for them (a lot of people seem to prefer digitals for Facebook and such now I do believe) then I wouldn't show up with a bill.


I did a communion photo session recently and didn't charge for it, but made it well known that I'd be happy to give free digital (resized, watermarked) images, but prints would be sold, and any prints sold, I would turn a profit on.

Haven't heard back from the people yet (though I do believe they want prints done) but it was all fairly out in the open from the first moment it was discussed. If there was never any mention of money with yourself and the people you shot for, I wouldn't go rushing out to invoice them (but that's just me, i wouldn't have given prints unexpectedly either, I don't think anyone would, so maybe they were expecting them, but i just thought i'd ask/clarify regarding the situation).

I asked which would be the easiest for them. They said prints. I emailed a couple through which were put on Facebook (and it stated they took them).

bullpost

You could go the diplomatic route and contact them to say you are following up to make sure they were happy with the service you provided and if they are, then ask if they would consider a donation to cover your costs as you are an amateur and doing this type of favour for acquaintances actually leaves you out of pocket , notwithstanding the free time you give.

I think most people are reasonable and will stump up once they know the circumstances.

magnumlady wrote: »

I asked which would be the easiest for them. They said prints. I emailed a couple through which were put on Facebook (and it stated they took them).

Fajitas!

If they wanted prints, charge them for the prints. In fairness though, you should have mentioned compensation as soon as prints were brought up.

magnumlady

Fajitas! wrote: »

If they wanted prints, charge them for the prints. In fairness though, you should have mentioned compensation as soon as prints were brought up.

I did. I said I would do it if they paid for the prints.

Sleepy

magnumlady wrote: »

I emailed a couple through which were put on Facebook (and it stated they took them).

At this point, I'd invoice them, with a VERY hefty exclusive copyright fee to allow them to claim the work as their own (I'm sure you've no interest in re-using photos of their brat)...

Doing someone a favour is one thing. Letting them take the piss about cost of prints and pass off your work as their own on top of that is quite another!

Fajitas!

magnumlady wrote: »

I did. I said I would do it if they paid for the prints.

Oh wow. Then they're just being dicks. I'd at least invoice them for the prints and CD at least.

eas

I think the main lesson here is what's been said above - settle on a price before you do any work. It's one thing for you to have spoken about what's to be delivered, but without saying "I'll need €xxx before I can do that" you're going to get into these situations. It's even better to get it in writting, even if it's just an email you can refer back to if needed.

As for the original question...I'd think a simple "No thanks, I don't enjoy doing that type of work" should be enough?

magnumlady

I tried the 'No thanks thing' it didn't work.

After this while experience though I will tell people straight. I hate being taken for a mug.

eas

magnumlady wrote: »

I tried the 'No thanks thing' it didn't work.

They forced you to take pictures? :eek:

oshead

No offence magnumlady but you're coming across as some kind of shrinking voilet. There are plenty of peeps out there who are more than willing to take advantage of others. Could you not stand up for yourself and maybe just ask the question once in a while.... Whats in it for me?

magnumlady

I don't like upsetting people. I guess that's my problem. I also hope that people would be similar to me and would either send a card, money or something if someone did them a favour.

oshead

That just it. How could saying No to complete strangers be upsetting for them. They must be awfully sensitive.

magnumlady

I felt sorry for the family, know a bit of their background. Thought I'd do something nice.

Trigger76

Bahhh there's your problem right there...you're a soft touch easy to take advantage of and now your annoyed, lesson learned. Next time you'll know to ask yourself...

A. Will I be paid?
B. Will I enjoy doing it.?
C. Does everyone have clear expectations?

Hopefully all of the above is a yes. Whatever about A , B&C are a must for me.


If you cant say no directly .... use any number of excuses above , but next time you'll know whether you really want to "keep photography as a hobby" and if youre takin advantage of again, well you'll know who to blame yeah?

Best of luck

nilhg

I've been asked several times if I'd be interested in doing a wedding for family/friends, my standard answer is that while I'd love to be able to do it for them, that their particular date falls at a very busy time of the year for me (I'm a farmer, we're always busy;)) but that I do know some excellent photographers from the camera club who would probably, if the bride/groom told them that I had recommended them, do a very reasonable deal for them.

I know that several times one or other of the lads for the club have done the job and everybody's been happy.


To the OP I'd say, keep your head up, while the experience has been upsetting and you may be out some cash, you know you've done a good professional job, you've gained valuable experience and you won't be caught out like this again.

jpb1974

I really don't see the point in saying you don't have the right gear when you do, or you're going on holidays when you're not. Blatant honesty works best. Something like...

"Sorry, I'm really not interested in doing it."

"Sorry, I'm not a wedding/event/llama/etc photographer, I'd rather not do it."

"I think you might be better off with a photographer specialising in ________"

"I'd rather enjoy the ______ (Insert event here) without having to take care of my camera for the night."

...And so on, and all followed with "Thank you for asking though"

That's fine if you're overly not familiar with the people, but when you're talking about people that you've been pals with for God knows how many years then these sort of responses don't work.

I threw every one of those responses at a pal of mine who got married back in April and he begged and begged me until I gave in and agreed to do it. I'm talking about a friend that I have had for almost 30 years. Of course the fact that he was out of work and has 4 kids come into play as well.

Technically there was no problem photographing the wedding.. just from my own personal perspective I wasn't really into the whole thing.

The next time a friend asks then telling them that I'm away that weekend just nips it in the bud and it's a much less blunt way of going about it. Plus I get out of going to the wedding... which for me is a bonus (coming from a small town it's typically same church, same people, same venue, same menu... bah, humbug).

If it were someone I didn't know from Adam it wouldn't bother me in the slightest to say "No, thanks".

Different horses for different courses.

eas

jpb1974 wrote: »

That's fine if you're overly not familiar with the people, but when you're talking about people that you've been pals with for God knows how many years then these sort of responses don't work.

I think you need to practice saying "no".

I've been asked by my friends, my family, my wife's friends, my wife's family, friends of friends for wedding photos and just saying "no, thanks" has always worked for me.

I've said yes on a couple of occations, but only because I wanted to say yes, not because I felt guitly saying no.

jpb1974

I think need to practice saying "no".

Favours amongst friends are important in small towns so you never burn your bridges and always keep your options open.

I did some puppy photos for a pal a couple of weeks ago who was looking to sell them. He'll be sanding & spraying my oak table for me sometime soon (I haven't told him yet though )

eas

For sure, I agree that you don't always have to say "no". However, if you REALLY don't want to do something, there's nothing wrong with saying no and sticking to it.

jpb1974

there's nothing wrong with saying no and sticking to it

I agree.. but I also think that there are different circumstances which will prompt different responses.

Where friends are concered if I didn't feel I was able to do something up to the required standard then I would say 'No'. If it was a case that I could do it but just wasn't arsed (e.g. weddings cos I find them a pain in the hole) then I'd being heading on an imaginary trip to the Costa Del Sol.

Where anyone else was concerned I'd just say 'No' unless they were willing to throw some funny money my way and I really was in need of it.

eas

jpb1974 wrote: »

.

Where friends are concered if I didn't feel I was able to do something up to the required standard then I would say 'No'. If it was a case that I could do it but just wasn't arsed (e.g. weddings cos I find them a pain in the hole) then I'd being heading on an imaginary trip to the Costa Del Sol.

Ok, everyone is different I guess.

If my friends found out I used an imaginary trip to get out of doing them a favour, they'd ask me why I did'nt just say no.

jpb1974

If my friends found out I used an imaginary trip to get out of doing them a favour

Just plan your alibi carefully... they might notice your lack of a suntan if you said the Costa Del Sol... so for me a business trip to London is a winner

RogerViking

1 yeah go ahead if it turns out great everyones a winner cept the poor old professional .

2 if it turns into a cluster you will never hear the end of it.

as i used to work as a photographer these were the gigs that kept the rent paid and any friends or family that wanted to take pics thats fine.

rule to live by.

if its a hobby keep it that way.
if its your business treet it like a business.

rog

angeleyes

magnumlady wrote: »

I don't like upsetting people. I guess that's my problem. I also hope that people would be similar to me and would either send a card, money or something if someone did them a favour.

magnumlady- I know its nice to be nice and I am like you would be a bit of a softie. However, if someone was using my images on Facebook that would be a different story.

Its a lesson learnt - not nice I know. Some people will take the p**s cos they know you have a good heart.

spinandscribble

IsMiseLisa wrote: »

ANYWAY, to cut a ridiculously long comment short, I chose twenty photos of various family members, the little sister etc., gave 'em a light edit and got them printed. Gave them to my mother, she had a rifle through and goes 'I should have paid for the pro shots. I can't put any of these on the mantlepiece. I thought with your flashy camera, you'd take at least one good photo'.

Welcome to the world of what your family thinks is photography and art and what they think isn't.

When asked to take pictures for my family, I take the standard album shots and then my own shots. Eventually, the more comfortable you get taking shots, the less grimaces you'll see (being uncomfortable taking pictures at the meal for example with everyone around you, although it was insensitive of your mom to think you should do it in the middle of the meal).

Your sister might be a difficult subject (hates pictures, I know I'm awful like that in front of a camera) but if you can get her standing in front of that tree and get her laughing, distracted but still looking at you you'll get some decent shots for the "holy mantle". Then you can take the fun photos of her playing

Although if I was you I wouldn't do it for your mother again. Its not fair on you she expects professional shots from you when you've had the camera two months. If posed shots in front of the tree were so important she should have asked for them.

I'd go to the effort of taking photos for others if they're a good friend or close family but once we get into second cousin/friend of a friend territory cya :pac: