Difficult situation
Nov 1, 2015 10:13:24 #
These things happen. People are rude and disrespectful. You normally cannot expect otherwise. Been there done that. If you're the designated photographer and you get paid, that's all you can expect. Let it go and don't work for them again. Doing anything else will take you down to their level and give you ulcers.
Nov 1, 2015 10:18:26 #
Sometimes we pay to attend workshops, sometimes we learn by experience. Let them know you were surprised to see another photographer and the press he received. Move on and be careful next time.
Nov 1, 2015 10:19:55 #
As stated before you should tell this charity to pound sand next time they are in a bind.
This is very rude and thoughtless to ask someone to donate time and effort then not just ignore them but scold them. Obviously this other "guest" is a friend or something of the director and wanted credit and to have you ignored. learn from this and choose carefully who you volunteer for.
This is very rude and thoughtless to ask someone to donate time and effort then not just ignore them but scold them. Obviously this other "guest" is a friend or something of the director and wanted credit and to have you ignored. learn from this and choose carefully who you volunteer for.
Nov 1, 2015 10:48:09 #
zigipha
Loc: north nj
1. why did they not pick the previous photographer and pick you instead?
2. did you get paid (via either lump sum or promise to drive traffic to your site)
I would need to know 1 and 2 to gauge better how I would react.
I don't see anything wrong with acknowledging another photographer (not the event photographer), for posting shots. Like a wedding, where are you are the paid photographer but the bg praise their friends for great shots.
I do think their response to your letter shows the unprofessionalism on their part, and the timing of them posting links also.
there is a certain status in being the event photographer; if that was part of your "compensation", then certainly it was diminished by their post-event actions.
unless the old photographer has just been part of the whole scene for many years and is in the old boys network.
which leads me back to question 1 - why was he not selected for this year?
2. did you get paid (via either lump sum or promise to drive traffic to your site)
I would need to know 1 and 2 to gauge better how I would react.
I don't see anything wrong with acknowledging another photographer (not the event photographer), for posting shots. Like a wedding, where are you are the paid photographer but the bg praise their friends for great shots.
I do think their response to your letter shows the unprofessionalism on their part, and the timing of them posting links also.
there is a certain status in being the event photographer; if that was part of your "compensation", then certainly it was diminished by their post-event actions.
unless the old photographer has just been part of the whole scene for many years and is in the old boys network.
which leads me back to question 1 - why was he not selected for this year?
Nov 1, 2015 11:03:18 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
I think you handled it just fine--you could not predict that you would be dealing with unethical people. You should not stop trusting people but you took the correct action in deciding never to work with them again. And tell the truth if anyone asks.
Nov 1, 2015 11:18:13 #
Dale40203
Loc: Louisville, KY
It's a shame that the charity will suffer because of a snafu like this. It's easy to be indignant over the slight, but there's an opportunity to rise (way) above it by responding magnanimously and with understanding. I think a lot of the advice that comes from sharing a story like this stems from a vicarious yearning for righteousness, without much consideration of the consequences. You ultimately have more to loose if the people who mismanaged your services begin telling everyone how unreasonable YOU were. This would be their only defense against anything you would be saying about what jerks they were. Imagine how they would respond to a note from you thanking them for the opportunity to contribute in-kind to the charity and hoping that they will consider you again (you can always turn them down). Put together a nice slide show of the event's pictures and include a link.
Nov 1, 2015 11:35:30 #
My only thought on this ---
Contract = You should ALWAYS work under a WRITTEN CONTRACT.
And You do NOT need a lawyer to write one. I write mine myself - There are guides to do that on-line. However.... I tailor all of my contracts for different events that I am contracted to work on. The only time that a lawyer would be involved is when Your Contract is breached.
The "thing" about a "Fund Raiser" or Not-for-profit organization is that "they" usually want you to work for FREE... Or they tell you that You will get Great Exposure.... Yeah! Right.
After that remark I tell them that I ALWAYS get "Great Exposure" as all of the photographs I have made for events get Great Exposure IN THE CAMERA.
I realize that some Small Organizational Not-For-Profit people are just that... Not like the Large ones you see on television.
Sometimes these Large "Not-For Profit" Organizations pay their directors a 6 figure salary. Yeah- nonprofit My Ass.
Contract = You should ALWAYS work under a WRITTEN CONTRACT.
And You do NOT need a lawyer to write one. I write mine myself - There are guides to do that on-line. However.... I tailor all of my contracts for different events that I am contracted to work on. The only time that a lawyer would be involved is when Your Contract is breached.
The "thing" about a "Fund Raiser" or Not-for-profit organization is that "they" usually want you to work for FREE... Or they tell you that You will get Great Exposure.... Yeah! Right.
After that remark I tell them that I ALWAYS get "Great Exposure" as all of the photographs I have made for events get Great Exposure IN THE CAMERA.
I realize that some Small Organizational Not-For-Profit people are just that... Not like the Large ones you see on television.
Sometimes these Large "Not-For Profit" Organizations pay their directors a 6 figure salary. Yeah- nonprofit My Ass.
Nov 1, 2015 11:36:18 #
I was the guest. I told the hired photographer I would not interfere, and would send her my work. I sat in the last row, got several good shots,mand sent het a flash drive with the best.
Nov 1, 2015 11:45:34 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Just next time the director asks you to do it refuse.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
I agree with BebuLamar. Unfortunately I don't think there is much more you can ethically do. Publicly complaining such as posting to a newspaper as was suggested might reflect poorly on you in the eyes of some.
Nov 1, 2015 12:12:19 #
ronichas wrote:
oh there is no way i would do work for the director or the event planner. both were totally unprofessional.
Ronnie, this should suffice. Be done with it. Enjoy your life minus this irritant.
Here's a bit of a guide for you.
http://petapixel.com/2015/10/21/i-asked-12-pro-photographer-friends-to-work-for-free-heres-what-they-said/
--Bob
Nov 1, 2015 12:24:12 #
The minute you have three people involved in anything, you have politics.
Nov 1, 2015 12:27:24 #
ronichas wrote:
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...
I absolutely agree with you and I think it was the right thing to do to contact the involved parties and let them know its not ok to treat people that way!!
Nov 1, 2015 12:31:01 #
ronichas wrote:
hi, would love some thoughts on a situation i foun... (show quote)
Don't shoot for them again. If that's the way they treat their volunteers then you don't need the aggravation.
I have a charity that I've worked for for about 10-years now but I'm about ready to quit them as well so I do understand. Good luck
Nov 1, 2015 12:35:38 #
Let it go; chalk it up as a lesson and don't volunteer anything in the future unless it is writing.
Nov 1, 2015 12:51:59 #
ronichas wrote:
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...
I agree completely with that. Sorry to hear about your experience.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.