JD750 Loc: SoCal

Photographer:
"No, I can't grab your iPhone and take a picture to match my best studio works, even if it's the most recent model of an iPhone. Also, yes, I do charge money 'just to take a picture.'"

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I guess I am lucky. I've been in the picture business all my life and NOBODY ever asked me to do that. Perhaps the folks that are into cellphone portraiture can do selfies- there are even apps for artificial makeup and some kinda retouching.

If. however, you are set upon by lots of folks who choose to abuse your good nature and largess, I have a few quick retorts. Try these:

Bring your Dremel tool and some wood filler to your dentist and ask him or her to meet you in the coffee shop and knock off a few cavities.

Ask your plastic surgeon if he can drop by your apartment and mention that you have a new set of knives and a neat ball-peen hammer so he could do a pro bono nose job for you.

You need to explain that all PROFESSIONALS need their working environment and place, all their equipment and most of all the expertise and talent- and those things all cost money.

AGO

When I travel, I am sometimes asked to take someone's picture with their phone. The problem is that because I never use my own phone to take pictures, I don't even know how to use the camera on phones. i'm happy to oblige these people but I'm pretty inept at it.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

Folks who know that my profession is a physician will often corner me at a social event and ask for advice on a medical problem they think they have. I will listen politely, but rather than give them advice, I will tell them that they may have a serious problem and that I will be happy to see them in my office, where I can do more sophisticated testing. End of conversation, but maybe a new patient.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

"Also, yes, I do charge money 'just to take a picture.'"
I have been in situations and was asked to take a picture of a group/person with their cell phone(s) and never thought it was a big deal and they seemed to appreciate it. Before I retired, I was the Pharmaceutical Analyst for a Wealth Management Hedge Fund firm. At different parties/fundraisers etc. I was asked what looked good. I would never think of charging them.

Charlie7

I'm not a professional photographer, but I enjoy learning more and improving my skills. I often ask folks if I can use their iPhone to take a photo for them. They are at the same place as I am to enjoy the area and capture memories.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Amen to that. I simply tell people I'm no good with phones, but if they'd like to rent my camera for an hour, I'll be happy to oblige! The same is true of a few of my photog friends who do not have computers. They frequently come to me with requests to "fix" some image they took in my expensive LR and PS programs. And they never dream that I might charge for that service!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A photographer brings their camera.

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

My camera and cellphone made a deal recently. The camera won't call anyone and the phone won't take pictures

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

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

As a fellow physician, I got you beat. Nearly 20 years ago, I moved into a new townhome development in Staten Island. I left my car with MD plates in the driveway because I filled the garage with tools and boating gear. Down the block lived a neighbor with his wife and 2 pre teen kids. He happened to be a chef at some fancy restaurant. When he saw me outside, washing my car, he introduced himself and his family to me, and looked at those doctor plates. Two weeks later, he stopped by my house, asking if I could have a peek at his son's throat, claiming that he had to go to work, and their pediatrician was not available. I did it just to be nice. Over the next several months, this pattern repeated itself. Finally, on Thanksgiving, just as he and his family were leaving to have dinner with relatives, I showed up at his door with a turkey, asking if he could cook it. Never happened again. Some three years ago, while at a stoplight, a man with his teenage daughter, pulled up to me and asked if I could write his daughter her adderal prescription, a contolled substance used for attention deficit disorder as a favor. Her doctor was home sick with the flu. I replied that I couldn't help him, and that there was an urgent care center down the road. His response was that they didn't take her insurance and would charge $150.00 to see her. He drove as S class Mercedes. My response was "You drive a lot nicer car than I do and expect me to do it for free. If you can afford the Benz, you can afford to pay for a doctor's visit". He just gave me the finger" Was I wrong? Look at the POS car I drive.

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

Being that I am not a professional photographer, I would do the same. Somehow, I don't think a call girl would want to go out on a date on her day off

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Totally agree. But sadly, most people have a low bar and are fine with cellphone images, and can't get their heads around the difference between good camera/lens photography and what the cellphone produces. People just don't buy prints anymore, and when viewed on an HD or UHD screen there is little difference to see to the uninitiated.

If I am somewhere with my camera around my neck, and someone asks me to take a picture, I usually say "sure, let me have your cellphone or camera and I'll take one of you." If they ask me to take it with my camera - I say sure - my fee is _______" They usually hand over the cellphone (or camera).

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

No, I can’t take someone’s cellphone and take a professional portrait with it, but if someone asks I’m usually gonna take it. They’re not looking for a portrait, they’re just out having fun and want a photo with their friends to document it. And although it won’t be of professional portrait quality I’ll at least pay attention to composition and not cut off any heads. And I might act like I’m gonna take their phone and run off. 😜🤪
I do agree that if I was working as a photographer I wouldn’t take it.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

People are unbelievable! The last guy was the worst! Give those kinds of folks a business card and tell them to call your office for an appointment.

Stan