Horseart Loc: Alabama

It costs nothing to be kind. We all appreciate a favor now and then. I would never expect a freebie from a professional, but if you must say no, at least do it kindly. (as politely as you would want them to say no to you)

Horseart Loc: Alabama

You met up with a kind professional. Too bad there aren't more of them.

TimHGuitar Loc: San Francisco, CA

I am a retired photographer and I never have a camera around my neck anymore. So when folks ask me to take their iPhone to take their picture I have to ask them how to use the camera... where to press and so forth. Then I ask them to move to another area where the lighting is better and I angle the background so that it is not a flat area. I prefer a background that has depth and obviously no wires or poles going into someone's head. Then I tell them I will count to three to press the shutter. I suggest that they rest their eyes briefly so that they don't blink. At the count of three they are ready and then I press the shutter. Simple.

pdsilen Loc: Roswell, New Mexico

Tell the people who is asking you to take thier photo, "I'd be happy to help you but I don't know how to take photos with a cell phone. Will you please show me how?"

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I have truthfully used that line!

TimHGuitar Loc: San Francisco, CA

That's basically what I do. Then I do my best given the circumstances.

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

I have been a professional photograher all my working life and I know and associate with many other professional photographers. I have seldom if ever heard of this issue of folks expecting freebies, people accosting any of us to 'make professional-quality photographs with a cellphone. I'm sure some of this happens but it is certainly not a serious problem on a grand scale.

I'm sure that I and most of my cohorts would gladly accommodate a truest or a visitor to our cities, towns and countries and literally "snap" a picture without taking the time time to identify themes as a professional and making a big fuss. I have worked in many public places, events, locations in public parks and space, loaded down with gear, and nobody ever really bothers me. A festive evens some may yell " TAKE MY PICTURE and strike a silly pose. So, I take their picture, everyone laughs and that is the end of it.

I am sure every professional in any discipline, skilled trades-person, craftsman, retailer, or business person will be approached by friends, relatives or neighbours who expect preferential treatment. It's part of life. So, you handle it as diplomatically and benevolently as you can and either acquiesce or refuse and move on with your life!

So many folks, on this forum, are continuously starting threads that would indicate that everyone is out there to rip off, fool, haggle with and basically hornswoggle every photograher- amateur and professional. I don't think so!

If you are a professional, it behooves you to set your fees, have all the protectional contract forms, and set out the standards for how you run your business and serve your clients. You have the perfect right to refuse to do work without proper remuneration. Shooting a snapshot for a person on the street is not real work. Anyon one with common sense is not gonna expect a fine portrait.

There is also the attitude in this thread that many professional photograher are egoists, and they feel they are too important to simply be nice. Pro photograhers are human beings- many are nice and some are not. I suppose you can say the same thg about a profession or trade- plumbers, brain surgeons, funeral directors, dog catchers!

Cellphones, folks wanting, freebies, or wanting to take "selfies"' but can't do it themselves will not destroy or cause the ruination of the professional photography industry.

If you are an amateur who sells your work or a part-time pro, you also have to set your standards and draw lines as you prefer.

Not everyone is familiar with what goes into professional photography. Forget about people on the street, I have had purchasing agents and art directors from major corporations, government procurers, and folks that are supposed to be in the know, bicker or haggle with my rates saying " all you need to do is snap a few pictures", simply not understanding that a food layout, architectural interior, or a product shot of highly polished items can take hours of preparation, lighting strategies and expert knowledge. I have two options- walk away or educate them. Clients are also human beings so some will respond to the education and others won't.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Possibly slightly of track but a funny experience I had a couple of months ago.

Down on the foreshore and all set up on tripod, 400mm plus 1.4TC just before sunset and shooting a boat that had grounded on its side far out on the reef I was aware of a couple of girls stood behind me taking selfies with their phones. Not in my way at all and of no concern.

I remained shooting away at odd boats and harbor scenery for half an hour, they remained watching and when the light was too dim I walked the few yards back to my wagon. Having placed the tripod on the ground and opening a door the two girls came up to me and the conversation went as follows after greeting pleasantries;

Is that a camera?
Yes.
Have you been taking photographs?
Yes.
Can you take our picture with it please?
Very sorry but it's too dark and I don't have the right gear with me.

They then wandered off. I wonder if they were thinking that guy should get one of these phones.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Same here.
But I just happily ask them to set the phone up and show me where to press.
Always willing to do this with a smile.

BebuLamar

And hoping I don't touch the wrong place on the screen causing it to put the camera app in the background and I wouldn't know how to bring it back.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Or do a selfie?

Donald McGavin Loc: Tennessee

I always love the story about the physician who sidled up to a lawyer at a weekend party and described the situation you mentioned in your posting. The lawyer replied, "I always send them a bill on Monday." You can guess what happened. On Monday the physician opened his mail and there was a bill from the lawyer.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

My hat is off to you. Your kindness makes you a true "common sense" professional. A vacation snapshot with someone's phone, (so both or all parties can be in the picture) doesn't hurt anyone, or anyone's business...and it might get a professional a new customer. Thank you for sharing kindness.

docphoto Loc: Illinois

Happens to me too. I’m an ER physician/ Professional Photographer. They will ask “can you take a look at this” . I say “ sure” come by the ER, I’ll look at it and I’ll take a picture of it BUT I’ll charge you for the picture and the visit” 😂😂😂😂Just kidding but I agree with “Scrubdoc”

National Park

If I see a couple taking photos of each other or a family member taking photos of his family, whether with a cell phone or camera, I will sometimes ask if they would like me to take a photo of all of them with their phone or camera. I consider it a matter of being helpful and friendly, something all too missing in this world. It only takes a couple minutes. It makes them happy, and it makes me happy. They aren't looking for, nor are they getting, a "professional shot," although they won't get a photo of a tree growing out of their head. They will get a nice snapshot. It gives them a nice memory not only of where they were and what they were doing, but also of a "nice man who took the photo." No one has ever declined my offer; one look at me and they know a person of my age is not going to run off with their camera.

On the flip side, I have been out hiking with my wife, taking photos of each other, and strangers have asked if I would like them to use my camera to take a photo of the two of us. I am always most appreciative of such an offer. As a result, I have a beautiful photo hanging on my wall of me and my wife on a hike in the Canadian Rockies that was taken by an anonymous nice man who was carrying a backpack full of expensive camera gear.