ronichas Loc: Long Island

hi, would love some thoughts on a situation i found myself in.
i was asked to volunteer my time to photograph a fund raising event. this has always been done by another photographer in the past, who donates time and money to this charity. he was a guest at the event and clearly knew that someone else (me) would be shooting the event.

he came with his camera, took many photos. while i was processing, posting & tagging on facebook, i see a message on the charity's facebook page, thanking the other photographer and posting a link to view/purchase his photos. i was very disturbed by this.

i did send an email to the director & event planner (who requested i shoot the event), expressing my concern over posting a thank you & link to his site, when he was not the designated photographer. well, i got very nasty emails from both of them, saying i embarassed them and myself, being negative, my email disturbing etc, etc.

i feel i was asked to be the designated photographer, he was a guest. they were unethical in posting a thankyou to him for his photos with a link to his site to view/purchase, when he was not the designated photographer. they did post a link with my info late last night, 9 hours after posting his link.

your thoughts? would love to have some input on this, both positive and negative.
thanks!!

BebuLamar

Just next time the director asks you to do it refuse.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

oh there is no way i would do work for the director or the event planner. both were totally unprofessional.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Maybe you could post how they treated you in a local news paper that would certainly raise some eyebrows.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

So sorry this happened to you ronichas. I'd tell anyone who'll listen the story, and because of it, you won't be volunteering in the future.
Marion

thraso

Don't do this again for them, they are not worth your time and effort.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

i won't work for the charity or the event planner.
what i was looking for was some feedback on how others might handle this, do others think i should have not said anything, or should i have stood up for myself.

BebuLamar

I would rather keep quiet and keep low. For whatever reason the people wanted his pictures then there is not much you can say.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

thanks for your input.

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

I feel they were somewhat rude for not thanking you, however I wonder...
Were they "thanking" him because of his photography or that he is possibly a large financial supporter who is also a Photographer? You did say he was a supporter. Were he merely a photographer would he have gotten any different treatment from the group than you did?

If they were indeed being rude then turn down the request if it is made again.
If you wish to support the charity and your work has value and they like it, continue taking pictures for thr charity. The people at the top will come and go.

My $0.02 worth

ronichas Loc: Long Island

thanks for your input. he is a supporter and i am sure that is why they posted a thankyou and his link. i understand that, point being i was the designated photographer, they knew it and he knew it. it was rude, disrespectful and unethical of them. in my opinion...

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

ronichas,

I'd also send a letter to whomever is the head honcho (Chairman of the Board or President) for the fund raiser and the (presumably) 501 c.3 organization that the fund raiser supports describing exactly what happened and that because of that very unprofessional treatment, you will no longer be supporting the organization in any of its activities.

You may get a apology, and that's probably the most you can expect, but recognize that all these type organizations are dependent on a myriad of "free labor supporters" (like yourself) and will seldom criticize any of them very severely. The word will get out however that because of some unethical actions someone took, it really hit the fan!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

In these sorts of situations I always find the ol' dog turd through the letter box routine makes me feel better.
Ive keyed peoples cars poured weed killer on their lawn but nothing works better from a satisfaction point of view than some smelly waste on their inside door mat. I would suggest peeing through the the letter box as well but know it aint so easy for a gal!
German Shepherd poo is my favorite by the way. Nice and sticky.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

YIKES, not ready for any of that...

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

One other thought. Did the Charity know he was showing up with his camera in spite of not being the "official" photographer? Is this event advertised as "no cameras"? The Charity might not be the rude party; it may just be the "check writing" former photographer. The Charity may be acting so as to not offend him...lose his financial largess - not to offend you.