Debbie Ann Loc: Applegate, CA

She didn't get the .jpg, only a print.

Cornishpete Loc: Illinois

I guess there is the question of your family dynamic. Hypothetically, if your brother and nephew, both removal men, were visiting you and you asked them to move your piano to a different room, how would you react to them quoting their hourly rate. I perfectly understand why you wouldn't want to send them a digital file but a print!!
Edmund in the above post was perhaps a tad harsh but let's just say that when my wife and I spent a month back in the UK in June and my sisters gave us beds for 32 days and use of a car I am sure happy they didn't charge us $150 a night and a couple of hundred pounds a week for their car.
We all love each other; a strange concept for some it seems!

tenbanshee Loc: Woodstock, IL

You are right, sorry, I should learn to read better. ;)

Debbie Ann Loc: Applegate, CA

This wasn't for a family member - I give them whatever prints they want, and am there to shoot any event for them for nothing. I didn't know the person that wanted the picture.

I chose to ignore the one users comment about me being an SOB - wasn't really constructive IMHO.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

What I've done in the past is sent a 640x480 image that's 72ppi and watermarked it. If they really like it they will ask for the hi res image and then hit em up for some money. You should include your business contact information in the email too so that they know you are a professional photographer. This will get them thinking that you're a pro, they need to pay!

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

Were you there to take photo's as art per se or just snapping while there for another purpose? I think that would be a factor as much as family etc... I do think if you earn money for taking photo's then you are right to expect a minor fee at least. As has been noted, the owner of the horse probably makes money off of it as well. Business is business, and hobby or fun is just that as well. To be perfectly honest though if I was the owner I would have just said something like no thanks and just gotten my camera and gone out and do some of my own shots for the same thing. Liken it to a hitch hiker and a cab driver. If you're on your way home from work and pick him up then it's a freebie, but if you were there with the intent of working, or asked to do something because of your skill or talent then you should be paid. Would you expect Barbra Striesand to sing the opening jingle of your business and just give it to you if you were going to use it to promote your business? On the other hand if she just does a little kidding around singing and you record it without the intent of making any money then why should she charge you? To me it all comes down to intent. Why were you there taking the photo's (intent) and what does the owner want it for (intent) and if the answer is that either one of you hope or intend to make money off it then yes, charge him. If you didn't intend to use your skill's or talents and he just wants it for his personal photo album then I'd settle for a cheap lunch or something.

EJK Loc: OK

very neat picture. I'd like to try that with my horse. I see the sun was to your back. Was this something you try to capture or were you just in the right place at the right time?

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

It is always tricky dealing with family and friends at times, but either a 4x6 print which costs next to nothing or a watermarked low resolution jpeg is something I would offer in a case like this. I used to never know what to do in a situation like this, where it's not an actual shoot but it's my work and I don't want it to be passed around.

John 1813 Loc: Lancaster, NY

You just posted a downloadable jpeg, available to a bunch of people you dont know. The point is now moot.

jjadeco25 Loc: Alma, AR

Absolutely 100% correct. My husband for years has been telling me to stick to my guns and not give away the shoots that I do. I now have a nice little business of doing weddings and portraits without any advertising but through referrals.
It may take a while to get established, but do not let anyone take advantage of your talent, you work very hard to get the 'it' shot, and have the eye to know when to push the button.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Boy, that's a beautiful horse. Can I have it?

When you start giving stuff away for free, that's what you're saying it's worth.

Debbie Ann Loc: Applegate, CA

I appreciate everyone's comments and your points were taken....
EJK - I find the horse eye fascinating and was capturing that...the reflection was a bonus I didn't see until it was on my computer

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

This is true!

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

If I had been the owner of the horse I would have billed you a hundred dollars for modeling charge. You were not asked to take the picture, It was his or her horse.

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

Doesn't matter, if you can see it you can photo it. Dat's da law.