jtipps Loc: Dallas

That is also a good idea. I have a feeling when this post is over there will be enough great ideas to put a package together for all of us with an interest. I can report back as it goes with what the results are.

jtipps Loc: Dallas

That is exactly what prompted me to do this Ace. I love photography and especially people shots and do a good job, why not make something while I am having fun. If I made $200 at one of these events I would be ecstatic.

jtipps Loc: Dallas

Someone brought up payment. I have a consulting business also so I am getting one of those readers that attach to your smart phone and will collect payment right then and there. If they don't trust me to send the disc then I move on the next table.

ace-mt Loc: Montana

I've been thinking about getting one of those. I don't know anyone who has one. Perhaps you could let us know if you like it.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

"Can anyone think of another profession who's members urge each other to work for free?"

Yes, I certainly can. I've been a professional musician since the age of 12. It took me until around age 13 to figure out that, while playing is great fun, it's a profession and should be adequately compensated. People place a value on a commodity or service based in large part on what the purveyor of that commodity or service charges. I'm still constantly amazed and dismayed by the number of musicians (and photographers) who, because what they are doing is "fun," are willing to perform those services for nothing.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

BAck in the 50s you paid about $10 for a night club shot taken by an attractive scantily clad young miss using a speed graphic. Have you considered a costume of similar attire?

I would think you would have to let the people you are shooting know up front that you will supply the photo for X dollars and if they say no then I would not shoot them.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Why degrade yourself and your abilities and short change yourself. If the quality is such that they want to buy then sell !

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Whats wrong with selling them a print for 10 - 20 on site. They see you take the pic, they see you download it and then they see you pull out the paper to print and then they see you print it. All that adds to the value of what you are offering. Wouldn't it be nice to shoot 10 or 12 pictures, then print them out right there and put 10 or 20 per in your pocket? Also, believe it or not but not everyone is in love with Wal Mart, personally I won't throw a stone at them.

Pentony Loc: Earth Traveller

You want to generate future business? Charge the restaurant zero and a dinner for the first time, telling her "let's see how this first time works out?"

If it works out well I would negotiate a fee with her for the next time. Just remember, it's her restaurant and she gets nothing off you being there unless word gets around from the customers saying to others, "hold your party at that restaurant, they have a photographer." Then you are helping to generate more business for the restaurant.

As for photos of the customers? Have a laptop available to show off the SD card on a larger screen than your LCD. Your decision on how much to charge customers sounds good but be tempered by your desire to get repeat business. After all $25.00 from one customer is not the same as say getting $15.00 from several customers.

How much does a DVD cost? How much is your time worth? How are you going to get the DVD to the customer?

Keep in mind you want to generate repeat business. Don't be greedy. Consider upon completion of the first time, surprise the restaurant by giving her a $1.00 or $2.00 for each customer or DVD you sell?

Also set up a separate photo e-mail account for customers to contact you for more photos and repeat business. That means having printed business cards or blank ones available.

Oh make sure your laptop can't walk off behind your back (lol) :-P

jtipps Loc: Dallas

Thank you for the post Pentony, you offer some good points. I have cards, seperate website that is password protected for the pages so they can view the images. As far as showing them the images on a laptop or printing them I guess you guys are way better than I am because I like to preview my work and crop, touch up if needed, and check color before I show them to a client. I may take 30 of a family in order to feel secure I have at least 5 that are great and 5 more that might work for them.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

I believe the main reason photographic services are perceived to be something that should be "done for fun" is because of all the "shoot and burn" photographers out there.

Why shouldn't you just give away the images . . . it doesn't cost you anything to take them. Memory cards can be re-used . . . batteries are re-chargeable . . . you didn't buy the camera as a business investment, you bought it for your hobby of photography (otherwise you would have a pro-series camera and top-end lenses) All you are doing is going out for an evening's fun shoot, and hell . . . they'll even feed you!

Take along an off-camera flash powered by some inexpensive radio triggers, or IR if your camera is fitted with it. Add an inexpensive, portable, soft box and stand, take along the printer as suggested above, and give them no files on disc, but real prints. Want three prints . . . buy three prints.

Now you look professional . . . and you are selling something that they can touch, feel, taste, smell. Something REAL that has a value. They already have 5000 images on their computer that they have taken with their own P&S "for free". Why in the world would they pay $20 for 10 or 15 more to store?

When you charge for your work you are entering the "professional" area of photography. If that is your plan then you'd better start to look and act like a "professional".

If eveyone that enjoyed their job did it for nothing . . . we would either have a population of poverty, or a population of extremely unhappy people. It shouldn't cost you your livelyhood to like what you do.

Just my 3 cents worth . . .

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Charity begins at home not in a noisy restaraunt full of people wiith a half frogged expression on thier face. Those mumbling ...me next - me next as they spill their half drank warm margarita not only down the front of their pants but also all over that inexpensive junk you bought to take down there . If one photographer works for free or as close to free as they can to get established then just keep in mind that it makes it that much more difficult for 10 honest photographers to make a living.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

So amazing at the number of "Pro's" that complain about someone helping out with low-cost photography!! These situations are the ones that the pro has already lost because of their STEEP pricing!! Not everyone wants to spend 10 time the meal cost just for the photog to show up!! And yet, they will appreciate someone outside the group getting better pics than the snap-shooters with their quick grabs with their phones, etc.

If someone doesn't do this type of service for banquests, etc at a REASONABLE fee, these events won't have any decent photos cuz they are NOT going to pay the high price that most pros want!!

jtipps Loc: Dallas

Why shouldn't you just give away the images . . . it doesn't cost you anything to take them. Memory cards can be re-used . . . batteries are re-chargeable . . . you didn't buy the camera as a business investment, you bought it for your hobby of photography (otherwise you would have a pro-series camera and top-end lenses) All you are doing is going out for an evening's fun shoot, and hell . . . they'll even feed you![/color]

I shoot a D 300, not pro but a pretty good camera, I have 11 lenses 4 of which are pro and the rest pretty darn nice, 3 Nikon Flashes, quite a few soft boxes, umbrellas, snoots, grids, 2 different sets of triggers, etc, etc. I have been published twice, big deal, and have taken some really good images of about everything you can shoot. I am not a pro and don't profess to be, just someone who loves the field and wants to get better. I have seen your work and it is excellent, someday I hope to be 1/2 that good.




Because some of them may have never had a photo taken by them except with a phone.

When you charge for your work you are entering the "professional" area of photography. If that is your plan then you'd better start to look and act like a "professional".

Not sure when we met so I guess you think I look like a fat slob in cut off jeans and no shoes. I have been a "professional" in another field for 40 years so I guess I act OK, no one has told me otherwise.

If everyone that enjoyed their job did it for nothing . . . we would either have a population of poverty, or a population of extremely unhappy people. It shouldn't cost you your livelihood to like what you do.

I am not soliciting anyone to shoot a wedding or anything even close. I am wanting to do something to gain experience, maybe help a friend, and possibly make a few bucks while doing it. If you or any other "Pro" got a call from a small Mexican restaurant asking you to come over some evening and maybe you could shoot some folks having fun at a birthday party I am quite sure you would not bust your rear getting over there, so I don't think I am infringing on any one by wanting to do this. Sorry if I offended anyone or made anyone feel threatened of losing business.

My 4 cents worth.

Just my 3 cents worth . . .[/quote]

jtipps Loc: Dallas

Charity begins at home not in a noisy restaraunt full of people wiith a half frogged expression on thier face. Those mumbling ...me next - me next as they spill their half drank warm margarita not only down the front of their pants but also all over that inexpensive junk you bought to take down there . If one photographer works for free or as close to free as they can to get established then just keep in mind that it makes it that much more difficult for 10 honest photographers to make a living.[/quote]

So amazing at the number of "Pro's" that complain about someone helping out with low-cost photography!! These situations are the ones that the pro has already lost because of their STEEP pricing!! Not everyone wants to spend 10 time the meal cost just for the photog to show up!! And yet, they will appreciate someone outside the group getting better pics than the snap-shooters with their quick grabs with their phones, etc.

If someone doesn't do this type of service for banquests, etc at a REASONABLE fee, these events won't have any decent photos cuz they are NOT going to pay the high price that most pros want!![/quote]

This is my point, some of these people cannot afford to go to Walmart, Sears, or anywhere to have pictures taken. Why not give them the chance to have some nice photos to remember the event with. If someone asks me I will gladly take my piece of junk camera down there and shoot some good pictures of them, even for nothing if necessary.