JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

You seem to be making some assumptions. We don't know if they were aware he does photography jobs for pay or was just a hobbyist volunteering. We don't know if the same people who he was doing the free work for at the church were the people hiring photographers for the school.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I concur.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

The musicians is a nice comparison. The ones I know spend a lot of time practicing their craft. Same with the vocalists I used to know.

The OP seems to want to change the relationship (or the implied "contract", if you will) without discussing the change at an appropriate time. The lack of communication seems to be the issue here. Just because they are "spiritual" doesn't mean they are mind-readers.

repleo Loc: Boston

Tell them that since they already use two paid photographers, you feel it would be professionally unethical to 'poach' on their teritory by providing a free service.

dmc Loc: Montgomery, AL

dmc Loc: Montgomery, AL

Did he cook your turkey ??

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You are talking to the wrong person. Some one else posted that, not me.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

And I had another such incident after Hurricane Sandy. While heading down to my insurance broker to file a claim for damage to my sailboat, I was stopped at a red light. A man pulled up to me with his teenage son in the passenger seat of his car. He too, noticed my MD plates and asked if I could renew his son's prescription for Adderal, which is a controlled substance sometimes used for attention deficit disorder. His doctor's office was closed due to flooding. I answered no, saying that I didn't have my prescription pads with me, and wasn't about to write such a prescription for a total stranger, even if I did. I then pointed out that there was an urgent care center one block down the road and they were open. He said that he would have to pay $125.00 to see their doctor. My response was why should I do it for free? Meanwhile he was driving an S class Mercedes while I had Hyundai Santa fe

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

And I bet that high priced call girls would love to see a return to the "good old days" when "nice" girls waited until marriage

SS319

When you start to feel "used", focus your mind on Jesus, stripped naked, beaten, the skin and muscles on his arms and back missing and bloody, hanging from a cross with his Mother and friends watching, and Him doing all that voluntarily to pay the price for the sins that you have committed, and not just your sins, but the sins of every person that ever has or ever will walk on planet earth. If you can see that picture in your mind and still feel "used" by your local church, then stop.


I assume that the time and resources that you are consuming for this activity are included in your marketing budget rather than charitable giving. If you are providing a service with the expectation of a return on investment, then you are spending, not giving.

I would suggest that you schedule some time with your pastor and let him know that you are choosing to stop providing photography services for the church because you are having difficulties separating your service to the church and to God from your desire to promote a for-profit business. Understand, this is not just the photographer, carpenters are asked to build for free, electricians are asked for free services, although, most of the time, they are hired and paid for their services. Women of the church are always asked to perform child care on Sunday mornings - without consideration, and, of course, to teach young children in Sunday school.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Not certain why you are doing the "worK" in the first place? If it is to gain exposure so you can make money that is all good, however, I wonder if the church thinks the same way? If you are concerned that you are being "used", perhaps you should not be bothered if the school prefers another photographer? In the end, volunteering has its merits and significant satisfaction if done with as you say, "a servant's heart." If is is really a business investment with a hope for financial reward, perhaps another choice might be more satisfying? Bon chance...

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

No, but he knew that his goose was cooked.🐵

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Ya at least Doc brought him the turkey.

Back in the day I had a friend who had a friend from Dominican republic. We would bring the Dominican two turkeys or chickens, one for him to cook outside on the grill for us with their fancy Caribbean Magic and one for him to keep. It was a win-win.

Dabe Loc: Southern Missouri, Ozarks

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

If you are a member of this church then I agree with your friend that you should be giving with a servant's heart. If you are just marketing your skills, and don't attend regularly, then I suppose you can start telling the church that you have a previous engagement and give your services when you feel right about it.

Did you stop to think that maybe your work isn't up to professional standards yet and that this may be why they are hiring other professional photographers still? I'm not trying to pee in your Cheerios or anything, but i/we have no idea what kind of work ethic or skills you have. I'm assuming that you are just getting started since you are marketing your skills at a church.

Do you have a portfolio? If so, maybe you can make an appointment with those that make decisions at the church and school and market your skill directly to that person.