I'd like some opinions from all you seasoned photographers please...I've decided the only way I'm going to take better pictures is to practice so I've posted free holiday pictures on my local FB "free" yard sale website. I will be taking a few pictures and sending them thru email. They can choose to print them. I have explained I'm an amateur photography trying to get better at my craft. People have been very responsive to my ad but I'm worried they don't see that my pictures may not be as "professional" as they expect (some may not come out or be worthy to print out) even though I'm not charging for my services. How do I explain this to them without saying anything negative about myself?

Please don't tell me I should be practicing on friends and family. I am doing this to help interact better with people who are not friends and family. The only way I'm going to feel comfortable if I want to do street photography is to get used to working with people I don't know.

Before I schedule anyone it would be good to reiterate to them I'm taking this pictures to "practice". FYI, I posted on the ad that I was looking for people willing to take some time with their pets in hopes that I can take better pictures down the road. In the conversation though I also don't want to put myself down in the process. I'm not charging them, I'm just asking for a little of their time and their pet.

I'd like some opinions from all you seasoned photographers please...I've decided the only way I'm going to take better pictures is to practice so I've posted free holiday pictures on my local FB "free" yard sale website. I will be taking a few pictures and sending them thru email. They can choose to print them. I have explained I'm an amateur photography trying to get better at my craft. People have been very responsive to my ad but I'm worried they don't see that my pictures may not be as "professional" as they expect (some may not come out or be worthy to print out) even though I'm not charging for my services. How do I explain this to them without saying anything negative about myself?

Please don't tell me I should be practicing on friends and family. I am doing this to help interact better with people who are not friends and family. The only way I'm going to feel comfortable if I want to do street photography is to get used to working with people I don't know.

Before I schedule anyone it would be good to reiterate to them I'm taking this pictures to "practice". FYI, I posted on the ad that I was looking for people willing to take some time with their pets in hopes that I can take better pictures down the road. In the conversation though I also don't want to put myself down in the process. I'm not charging them, I'm just asking for a little of their time and their pet.

There is another alternative, and you will be doing the shelters a big service - contact the local SPCA, private shelters and fosters and offer them your services. I have been doing that myself for a few years - and it doesn't get more rewarding than when a dog or cat that you photographed gets adopted on the basis of the evocative image you created donated to the shelter. When your images are eye-catching, they will generate buzz and sometimes a pet can have a home in a few days - and you just might have made a life and death difference. I target the kill shelters more often than the no-kill ones for obvious reasons.

Usually shelters are more than grateful for the offer, and very welcoming and accommodating. One even let me bring a portable studio (background, lights, stands, etc) and gave me a room and a helper/handler.

I can think of no better way to get to where you want to be as far as your pictures are concerned, and at the same time do the adoption community a big solid.

Here are a few images that have resulted in quick adoptions. The MinPin below was adopted three days after the image was posted. It got over 200 likes.

You'll find that attempting to approach both parts of your dilemma, making better images and learning to deal with people - at the same time may result in some missteps along the way - unless you're the type that lives for challenge of it all. I suggest you get your photo skills solidly under your belt - regardless of whether you take documentary stuff like the images below - or you go for a more stylized and personal look, or the Kitty Kitsch look where you dress up the cats (or dogs) in outfits and use cute props. Once you have the confidence you need, you can then start charging what the jobs are worth. Check to see what others are doing in your area, and charge as much, or more, as they do. Charging more is a little trick that I use when I think there will be some pricing sensitivity - charging more implies better quality - and pet owners often respond to that with their checkbooks. Make sure you have liability insurance, your equipment is in good working order, you have backup gear, and your gear is insured. Having a good contract goes without saying, and collecting your shooting fee up front - half when they reserve the date, and the rest when you arrive with your gear to take the shot - will ensure that you won't get stiffed. Making watermarked, low res medium quality images available for viewing and selection can work, but it is always better to do that in person so you can guide them through the process and help them with any questions about what the will be getting.

Never ever do work for otherwise paying clients for free just because you are new at this. It will be hard to charge them or anyone else later. Never give stuff (prints, albums, coffee mugs, greeting cards etc) away either. Do not provide electronic versions of your images, for them to print poorly at Walgreens. You do want to maintain control over the finished product.

There is another alternative, and you will be doing the shelters a big service - contact the local SPCA, private shelters and fosters and offer them your services. I have been doing that myself for a few years - and it doesn't get more rewarding than when a dog or cat that you photographed gets adopted on the basis of the evocative image you created donated to the shelter. When your images are eye-catching, they will generate buzz and sometimes a pet can have a home in a few days - and you just might have made a life and death difference. I target the kill shelters more often than the no-kill ones for obvious reasons.

Usually shelters are more than grateful for the offer, and very welcoming and accommodating. One even let me bring a portable studio (background, lights, stands, etc) and gave me a room and a helper/handler.

I can think of no better way to get to where you want to be as far as your pictures are concerned, and at the same time do the adoption community a big solid.

Here are a few images that have resulted in quick adoptions. The MinPin below was adopted three days after the image was posted. It got over 200 likes.

You'll find that attempting to approach both parts of your dilemma, making better images and learning to deal with people - at the same time may result in some missteps along the way - unless you're the type that lives for challenge of it all. I suggest you get your photo skills solidly under your belt - regardless of whether you take documentary stuff like the images below - or you go for a more stylized and personal look, or the Kitty Kitsch look where you dress up the cats (or dogs) in outfits and use cute props. Once you have the confidence you need, you can then start charging what the jobs are worth. Check to see what others are doing in your area, and charge as much, or more, as they do. Charging more is a little trick that I use when I think there will be some pricing sensitivity - charging more implies better quality - and pet owners often respond to that with their checkbooks. Make sure you have liability insurance, your equipment is in good working order, you have backup gear, and your gear is insured. Having a good contract goes without saying, and collecting your shooting fee up front - half when they reserve the date, and the rest when you arrive with your gear to take the shot - will ensure that you won't get stiffed. Making watermarked, low res medium quality images available for viewing and selection can work, but it is always better to do that in person so you can guide them through the process and help them with any questions about what the will be getting.

Never ever do work for otherwise paying clients for free just because you are new at this. It will be hard to charge them or anyone else later. Never give stuff (prints, albums, coffee mugs, greeting cards etc) away either. Do not provide electronic versions of your images, for them to print poorly at Walgreens. You do want to maintain control over the finished product.

I'd like some opinions from all you seasoned photographers please...I've decided the only way I'm going to take better pictures is to practice so I've posted free holiday pictures on my local FB "free" yard sale website. I will be taking a few pictures and sending them thru email. They can choose to print them. I have explained I'm an amateur photography trying to get better at my craft. People have been very responsive to my ad but I'm worried they don't see that my pictures may not be as "professional" as
expect (some may not come out or be worthy to print out) even though I'm not charging for my services. How do I explain this to them without saying anything negative about myself?

Please don't tell me I should be practicing on friends and family. I am doing this to help interact better with people who are not friends and family. The only way I'm going to feel comfortable if I want to do street photography is to get used to working with people I don't know.

Before I schedule anyone it would be good to reiterate to them I'm taking this pictures to "practice". FYI, I posted on the ad that I was looking for people willing to take some time with their pets in hopes that I can take better pictures down the road. In the conversation though I also don't want to put myself down in the process. I'm not charging them, I'm just asking for a little of their time and their pet.

I'd like some opinions from all you seasoned photographers please...I've decided the only way I'm going to take better pictures is to practice so I've posted free holiday pictures on my local FB "free" yard sale website. I will be taking a few pictures and sending them thru email. They can choose to print them. I have explained I'm an amateur photography trying to get better at my craft. People have been very responsive to my ad but I'm worried they don't see that my pictures may not be as "professional" as they expect (some may not come out or be worthy to print out) even though I'm not charging for my services. How do I explain this to them without saying anything negative about myself?

Please don't tell me I should be practicing on friends and family. I am doing this to help interact better with people who are not friends and family. The only way I'm going to feel comfortable if I want to do street photography is to get used to working with people I don't know.

Before I schedule anyone it would be good to reiterate to them I'm taking this pictures to "practice". FYI, I posted on the ad that I was looking for people willing to take some time with their pets in hopes that I can take better pictures down the road. In the conversation though I also don't want to put myself down in the process. I'm not charging them, I'm just asking for a little of their time and their pet.

Annie, I think you are on the right path here to get experience.
I would be very careful though.
I would write up some simple agreement that spells out exactly what you are giving away at no cost. Don't set yourself up to put horrendous amounts of hours into trying to satisfy a picky client for free. It could get really out of hand.
Beyond the free agreement, you should state a charge per hour for going beyond that just to ensure that some people will NOT try to take advantage of your generosity...., it will happen!
Good luck with your project and above all, since it's free, it needs to be fun for YOU!!!
SS

There is another alternative, and you will be doing the shelters a big service - contact the local SPCA, private shelters and fosters and offer them your services. I have been doing that myself for a few years - and it doesn't get more rewarding than when a dog or cat that you photographed gets adopted on the basis of the evocative image you created donated to the shelter. When your images are eye-catching, they will generate buzz and sometimes a pet can have a home in a few days - and you just might have made a life and death difference. I target the kill shelters more often than the no-kill ones for obvious reasons.

Usually shelters are more than grateful for the offer, and very welcoming and accommodating. One even let me bring a portable studio (background, lights, stands, etc) and gave me a room and a helper/handler.

I can think of no better way to get to where you want to be as far as your pictures are concerned, and at the same time do the adoption community a big solid.

Here are a few images that have resulted in quick adoptions. The MinPin below was adopted three days after the image was posted. It got over 200 likes.

You'll find that attempting to approach both parts of your dilemma, making better images and learning to deal with people - at the same time may result in some missteps along the way - unless you're the type that lives for challenge of it all. I suggest you get your photo skills solidly under your belt - regardless of whether you take documentary stuff like the images below - or you go for a more stylized and personal look, or the Kitty Kitsch look where you dress up the cats (or dogs) in outfits and use cute props. Once you have the confidence you need, you can then start charging what the jobs are worth. Check to see what others are doing in your area, and charge as much, or more, as they do. Charging more is a little trick that I use when I think there will be some pricing sensitivity - charging more implies better quality - and pet owners often respond to that with their checkbooks. Make sure you have liability insurance, your equipment is in good working order, you have backup gear, and your gear is insured. Having a good contract goes without saying, and collecting your shooting fee up front - half when they reserve the date, and the rest when you arrive with your gear to take the shot - will ensure that you won't get stiffed. Making watermarked, low res medium quality images available for viewing and selection can work, but it is always better to do that in person so you can guide them through the process and help them with any questions about what the will be getting.

Never ever do work for otherwise paying clients for free just because you are new at this. It will be hard to charge them or anyone else later. Never give stuff (prints, albums, coffee mugs, greeting cards etc) away either. Do not provide electronic versions of your images, for them to print poorly at Walgreens. You do want to maintain control over the finished product.