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Shooting for free
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Oct 8, 2017 16:52:38   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
I guess I would be busy 'earning a living' that day....they may get the hint.
Word of mouth may get you some business however good marketing will get you more business....rethink how you approach people. Put some prices together and make some flyers etc. I have run a small business since 2001..I look at my customer list regularly and decide who is worth bothering about and who I should lose and replace...That way you don't end up feeling hard done to....plus you keep looking for new opportunities.

Have fun (if you are self employed that is what you get the most out of it)

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Oct 8, 2017 17:28:46   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
I would talk to the church administration and tell them you would appreciate being considered for any paying jobs the school has. Maybe it didn't occur to them. But I wouldn't act like they should have considered you because you were doing pro bono work for the church. Do you feel like you could have done as good a job as the photographers they hired?

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Oct 8, 2017 17:29:55   #
BebuLamar
 
When I can I would continue to do it. When I am tired or don't have time I will stop. Why would I expect something in return?

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Oct 8, 2017 18:09:48   #
Mary Kate Loc: NYC
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do you give of your time and skills to your church for free? I have done three major events at our church (voluntarily) for free -- and now I am about to feel a little "used." Two of these have required getting printing done, which they pay for, but as you know, this is work. I was hoping that my name would become known and that I'd get a few paying clients. But it hasn't happened. A friend told me I should continue shooting these events "with a servant's heart." The kicker is that the school attached to the church recommended another photographer to shoot their senior portrait sessions and another showed up to take their website pictures. Another big event is coming up -- thoughts? (I think they're expecting me to voluntarily shoot it like I did last year.) Thank you!
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do ... (show quote)


The reason you go to church.....knows.

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Oct 8, 2017 18:30:02   #
jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do you give of your time and skills to your church for free? I have done three major events at our church (voluntarily) for free -- and now I am about to feel a little "used." Two of these have required getting printing done, which they pay for, but as you know, this is work. I was hoping that my name would become known and that I'd get a few paying clients. But it hasn't happened. A friend told me I should continue shooting these events "with a servant's heart." The kicker is that the school attached to the church recommended another photographer to shoot their senior portrait sessions and another showed up to take their website pictures. Another big event is coming up -- thoughts? (I think they're expecting me to voluntarily shoot it like I did last year.) Thank you!
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do ... (show quote)

Whatever you decide to donate to your church is your decision. If they ask again but you feel you already have done enough donated services, then be sure to schedule something else and politely decline. Many churches encourage, expect, and drive home the point from the pulpit that their followers/parishioners must donate both money and free service for many church projects.
Best of luck

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Oct 8, 2017 19:06:44   #
ggttc Loc: TN
 
BebuLamar wrote:
When I can I would continue to do it. When I am tired or don't have time I will stop. Why would I expect something in return?


Yep...I agree. You volunteered...thats pretty much all there is to it.

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Oct 8, 2017 19:45:50   #
Deanie1113
 
No, I did not. I didn't realize they needed photographers at that time.

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Oct 8, 2017 19:47:11   #
Deanie1113
 
Oh gosh, yes, this is true.

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Oct 8, 2017 19:53:20   #
Deanie1113
 
Thank you, all, for your wise and thoughtful replies. I've decided to limit my free work to one big event per year -- most likely the five nights of Vacation Bible School for the children. I take a ton of pics, edit the best 60, and give to the media team for a musical slide show. Thank you again!

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Oct 8, 2017 19:53:52   #
BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
 
I shot special occasions for my church for free before I developed mobility problems. I still would if I could. I am there to serve my brothers and sisters and worship my God. Church may not be the appropriate place to seek employment.

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Oct 8, 2017 21:13:42   #
Mary Kate Loc: NYC
 
CPR wrote:
I would not do anymore free work for them. They have shown that they do not value FREE work.


Who would.." they" be??

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Oct 8, 2017 21:55:02   #
Leitz Loc: Solms
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do you give of your time and skills to your church for free? I have done three major events at our church (voluntarily) for free -- and now I am about to feel a little "used." Two of these have required getting printing done, which they pay for, but as you know, this is work. I was hoping that my name would become known and that I'd get a few paying clients. But it hasn't happened. A friend told me I should continue shooting these events "with a servant's heart." The kicker is that the school attached to the church recommended another photographer to shoot their senior portrait sessions and another showed up to take their website pictures. Another big event is coming up -- thoughts? (I think they're expecting me to voluntarily shoot it like I did last year.) Thank you!
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do ... (show quote)

Calculate the monetary value of your time and deduct it from your tithes. You'll have your revenge, and won't have charity on your conscious.

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Oct 9, 2017 01:07:55   #
elf
 
I do that sort of thing at least every other week. Last year I did photos for the Church directory. All for the Lord. Some folks did want reprints for their family. $1.00 4X6: $5.00 5X7 : $10.00 8X10. I made enough money to buy more ink. I like to take pictures!!

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Oct 9, 2017 05:39:23   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do you give of your time and skills to your church for free? I have done three major events at our church (voluntarily) for free -- and now I am about to feel a little "used." Two of these have required getting printing done, which they pay for, but as you know, this is work. I was hoping that my name would become known and that I'd get a few paying clients. But it hasn't happened. A friend told me I should continue shooting these events "with a servant's heart." The kicker is that the school attached to the church recommended another photographer to shoot their senior portrait sessions and another showed up to take their website pictures. Another big event is coming up -- thoughts? (I think they're expecting me to voluntarily shoot it like I did last year.) Thank you!
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do ... (show quote)


I sell professional video and Audio equipment for a living. Churches are my main customers. Some systems have been $1 million or bight projects. Cameras, Projectors Audio for example. I have a personal rule. I don’t sell to my own church. It use to bother me if they purchased from BH or another dealer knowing I could have saved them money. Then I came up with that rule. Now I don’t think about it when I see some new items.

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Oct 9, 2017 06:38:49   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do you give of your time and skills to your church for free? I have done three major events at our church (voluntarily) for free -- and now I am about to feel a little "used." Two of these have required getting printing done, which they pay for, but as you know, this is work. I was hoping that my name would become known and that I'd get a few paying clients. But it hasn't happened. A friend told me I should continue shooting these events "with a servant's heart." The kicker is that the school attached to the church recommended another photographer to shoot their senior portrait sessions and another showed up to take their website pictures. Another big event is coming up -- thoughts? (I think they're expecting me to voluntarily shoot it like I did last year.) Thank you!
For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do ... (show quote)


No good deed goes unpunished.

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