BebuLamar

We don't know but it doesn't matter. If the people who pay think they are of good quality then they will pay otherwise they won't. They are the judges.

BebuLamar

What do you mean by immoral???? I for one wouldn't pay any photographer so you mean I am immoral? (well I wouldn't want the pictures any way).

whitewolfowner

I think to say that the OPs pictures are not worth the money they are paying him is an insult and ignorant. Admission, accommodations and maybe some food for pay, for hours of work is a kick in the face to say he's getting paid. Just how many out there would do that for that; come on. And to question his photographic abilities is off base too; he did say he's been doing it for years and they loved his work. Nothing else needs to be said or commented on this. He provided a service to them out of courtesy and they came back and kicked him in the face. They are not worth the toilet paper I used yesterday and flushed. OP, you need to realize that, and these ungrateful, thoughtless replies you are getting; they only show their moral make up. Just go on and realize, the organization you were helping wasn't worthy of your generosity and they have a moral back ground worse than what went down the commode with the toilet paper. The world is filled with ungrateful users that will soak anyone for everything and anything they can, and there are generous caring people who get used by them every time they turn around.

whitewolfowner

Obviously, you have no idea what I am talking about. Some of us are moral people and some are not. I will say no more.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

That was never my intent. My apologies.

whitewolfowner

No insult taken by me; I was defending the OP; apologize to him. Just imagine how he feels. He spent years providing a service to these people for years. They were very happy with his work, took his product form him for less than peanuts and surely used it to make more money for them. Then someone new comes along and they throw him to the curb for not even thirty pieces of silver. The right thing for them to have done, if they liked the other person's work too, is too offer the same deal to the new photographer and let them work together to produce an even better product in the end. They could have been friends; eased the load for each and done better as two than one. It just appalls me how rude, thoughtless and inconsiderate so many people can be.

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

Never do anything for free - unless it's for charity, and always make and sign a contract .... even for a charity. Yes, you may get immediate family requests, but even so they should know your expenses and take care of that.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

You described the people that the OP shot for as shit...people you don't even know, in a business arrangement you, and the rest of us are only getting one side of, and then you have the nerve to describe others as "...rude, thoughtless and inconsiderate..."

Take a good look in the mirror, wolfie.

whitewolfowner

In my book, treating someone like that is beyond uncalled for. Anyway you want to look at it, they gave him a raw deal. I'm assuming that, yes, he told the truth. But I have seen enough in this world to know that from the way he is feeling, he is telling it as it went down. Otherwise he wouldn't be so hurt. It's called wisdom.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

It's happened to me, but I did not expect special treatment going in, even with credits. After a couple of years, when I was refused a few bucks for gas for the 70 mile round trip (about 8-9 events a year), then a week later same answer for a tee shirt. I told them I could not afford to keep doing the work for free without minimum compensation, and stopped going. The photos were used for their promotion. I did it for experience and recognition with hope that it could work into a paying gig, but didn't happen. They now get blurry shots for their website from others, and I save on gas. Seems fair.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

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Or if the people who pay are not of good quality... they will do whatever they can to get the cheapest, and then even cheat them!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I was.

whitewolfowner

Sorry, I thought you referring to me. All is well.

BebuLamar

Can't ask someone to pay for something they don't want.

Haydon

Gene gave some very good advice. I'd like to just add, if they are not willing to pay you I very much doubt they respect your work. Photographers need to step up and avoid doing free work unless its voluntary because it's not only a bad business practice, it's bad for the photography community.