Shooting for free: 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)...

Deanie1113

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!

Bill_de Loc: US

How much you want to give to your church is a very personal thing.

Donating your time in hopes of generating more clients is a business decision.

Once you decide the reason you are donating your time, the answer should be easy.

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I am not a church goer. Last Easter while visiting N.Y. I spent 3 days doing carpentry work at a church my friend attends. In this case I didn't do it for the church, I did it for my friend. If it was for the church I would have charged. We all have our own reasons.

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Rongnongno Loc: FL

Nothing for free pays out in the end.

You like many other were taken under 'you will gain experience or *ahem* exposure'. This is a bunch of crap. Remember 'you get what you pay for'? It applies. Folks who pay remember. Those who do not do not care and will seek someone to pay for their other needs, after all who wants to use a 'yahoo'* who does everything for free?

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* No offense toward you intended, form of speech.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

I would not do anymore free work for them. They have shown that they do not value FREE work.

Hank Radt

Deanie1113 wrote:

A friend told me I should continue shooting these events "with a servant's heart."

My take is that anyone saying something like that is hoping you'll continue to offer free services.

If you took the initial assignments in the hope that it would generate paying customers, and that hasn't happened, well, that should tell you something.

But only you can answer the question as to whether you'll do it again for free.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

If you are doing the work for recognition or personal gain, then you are doing it for the wrong reason. Your friend is correct. Work given to the Church should be given with a servant's heart. No compensation should be expected or accepted.

As for not getting the work for the school photos or the web site, did you ask for it?

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

Rongnongno wrote:

Nothing for free pays out in the end.

You like many other were taken under 'you will gain experience or *ahem* exposure'. This is a bunch of crap. Remember 'you get what you pay for'? It applies. Folks who pay remember. Those who do not do not care and will seek someone to pay for their other need, after who wants to use a 'yahoo'* who does everything for free?

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* No offense toward you intended, form of speech.

I shoot photos of kids with "Santa" every year at my church. I donate my time, ink and photo paper to the event. In the beginning it was fun. Then they changed the person in charge and now I feel used and obligated and it has stopped being fun. My point is that if folks who need your service don't have some "skin in the game" they will quickly lose sight of the value of that service to them.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Proper approach to a client is "How much is it worth to you in American Dollars?"
A positive response from them will make you will feel rewarded and spiritually motivated.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

What is the reason that you are doing this. It seems to me you are doing it for personal gain and do not consider it Gods Work. Maybe your work is not up to standard of professional and your attitude may also be effected by your actions. To answer the question and not knowing all the facts it seems impossible.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

aphelps wrote:

I shoot photos of kids with "Santa" every year at my church. I donate my time, ink and photo paper to the event. In the beginning it was fun. Then they changed the person in charge and now I feel used and obligated and it has stopped being fun. My point is that if folks who need your service don't have some "skin in the game" they will quickly lose sight of the value of that service to them.

I have learned "If it is not fun, why do it" A Bumper sticker from Ben and Jerry's Jerry Greenfield.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

What are you doing to promote yourself as a pro for hire? Have you actually told them you want to do more as a paid photographer? If you are just donating your talents, most involved people devote their time and energy to their church and are not looking for payment.

I shoot special events for my wife's church for her, but do not promote myself in portraiture simply because that isn't what I shoot for pay. I have done paid work with the church or congregants because they know I shoot professionally.

My wife, as an interior designer, gets payment for work above and beyond her donated time for specific remodel projects on the church properties. She also gets clients from the church and parishioners because she promotes her business.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Every church is different. And serving the church with heart is great. But, I know one church that requested much voluntary free service from a relative of mine, that he confronted the Pastor about it. The situation was resolved.

tommy2slow Loc: Drippings Springs, TX

Just say "NO"

Motorbones Loc: Fair Oaks, CA

Doing stuff for your church pro bono should come without any expectations unless there's an understanding up front of what you'll get for your efforts. I do a lot for a veteran's organization, including some photography work (no I am not a professional). I do it for the joy of giving something back for the blessings I enjoy in life and to honor my brothers and sisters whom I have served with. I find it a bit odd that you feel like you're being used from volunteering (and your feeling that you are is very understandable). If there's a problem and you don't want to or can't continue to do it, simply and respectfully bow out. The other option is you can give them a bid on the job if they want you to shoot it, especially if it's what you do for a living...

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

That's the way of business. I don't shoot free. If a client can afford my service, then they know what I'm worth, because I do.

Deanie1113 wrote:

For those of you who are regular churchgoers: do ... (show quote)