sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Haven't you heard? Everyone's a photographer these days..... Were these other photographers also volunteers, or were they paid? Did you hand you card out to everyone and let them know that you are available for such paid services? What is your quality of work? Are the other photographers professionals well known for their work? A lot of factors come in to play, but often these decisions are based on who knows who and who did it last year...

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

I agree. The first step is to communicate what you want and what your expectations are. But first you have to know yourself.

It might be as simple asi dentifying the key person within the church and explain how you feel when you volunteer your skills for the church, then see them pay other photographers for their needs. At the very least you would like to be considered.

This way, you will get your feelings out and get some feedback before deciding your next step.

I can understand how you feel.

JPL

Tell them to call the other shooter again and ask him to do it or tell them you feel like it would be fair that you get payed like the other shooter if you do not want to continue the free work.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

It obviously seems unfair on the surface. Not to appear mean spirited but the bottom line - does your photography pass muster? You might want to have that discussion as to why they have not used you for the paying work. If your work does not make the grade, you will spend a long time in this quandary. Besides, with the volumes of alleged pro photogs, one has to be very good to stand out.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Do what you want for whatever cost you want to charge; if that's free, good. If not, then charge. Don't shoot your church's events grudgingly, that doesn't make sense.

Also, I'm not surprised that you valuing your skills at zero didn't make folks beat a path to your door to hand you money for those skills.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I have actively volunteered accounting and financial services to the Church for years and have learned that you are going to have to wait until you get to heaven for recognition.

Deanie1113

Yes, that is what I decided to do. Going to make sure I am busy "earning a living" that day.

Deanie1113

These are all such good suggestions and thoughts. I really, really appreciate your feedback.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

I believe you missed my point. I am not promoting anything nor do I expect nor want payment. I am donating my time and talent to the church. But since the church is not contributing ink or paper to their project I am taking care of that as well. As with most volunteer efforts, more and more is expected of you. Creeping commitment. I just have to say no at some point. That's all.

cthahn

If you donate something and it is appreciated, keep donating. If you are not appreciated, then quit donating. There are politics in some churches, and you can not fight it. Do something where you are appreciated.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Before I put in my two cents worth, I need to remind commenters that if they are responding to a specific comment, then they need to select the "Quote Reply" button under the comment they are replying to.

Now for my response.

I'm going to be blunt.

To the original poster (OP), no matter what others are encouraging, you have more than "GIVEN" your time and expertise to your church. If you are contacted for the next event, you are well within your rights to reject another donated services event.

There is a limit to how much one person can afford to donate to any charity. By asking UHH members, you have likely reached your personal limit for donations. I hope that you took a tax deduction for your past donated services, because they were allowed if you met the income and donation requirements.

As others have commented, explain to the church administration that you are available for paid events for the church, but that you be unable to continue to donate your services going forward.

If you have a printed church bulletin, or a church website, take out an ad listing your services, including a statement that prices are available upon request, and don't forget to include your contact information. There is no need to list the prices in the ad, and this allows you the flexibility to price your services either by the hour, or by the event and it allows you to build in Cost of Living increases without changing your printed documents. Keep a separate pricing sheet that you can update before meeting with your clients. Pay by check or credit card, not by cash for these ads, because you need a record of the payments.

Don't underestimate the value of your services, but you need to market those services to the audience that you want to gain paying clients from.

Keep meticulous records of your expenses as you expand your paying client base, because you're going to need them come tax season next year.

Your paid ad will become your "donation" to your church, but that donation will be spread out over a period of time, and will reach your targeted market.

Don't forget to copyright or watermark all of your printed or electronic shots.

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

I photographed for the Boy Scouts of America for three years. Made slide shows for recruiting, photographed a local boy scout troop for their Christmas and Banquet programs. Used up Kodachrome like it was going out of style and never, never, charged a dime for my services. Probably thousands of dollars worth. BEST TIME OF MY LIFE. Paying it forward is always the best that you can do as an individual. And, yes, I am a product of the original peace corp where, once again, I gave myself body and mind and camera.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

You already know the answer. You just brought the church in to assuage your feelings. Substitute the words "employer" or "PTA" or "Garden Club" and would you pose the question?

Deanie1113

Thank you so much. The one upcoming event is huge and right at a really busy time for me. As fun as the event is, it takes many hours afterward to edit, send to a lab to get printed, and prepare the prints for distribution. I've decided to just say I am super-busy this year and will have to bow out. Thanks for the tax reminder!

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I donate my time and service in various capacities at my church and in the community to service a need. I see what I do as bringing more people into a closer relationship with God or helping to create an environment that introduces outsiders to the Creator of the universe who wants nothing more than a close loving relationship to them. That's just my view though. Nothing wrong with looking to get something out of it (recognition, business opportunity, payment, ...) but you need to make clear what your expectations are and let the folks you do the work for know what you are looking to get out of it. There is so much going on at most churches that the organizers of an event - usually volunteers themselves - are only focused on the task they are charged with. Nothing wrong with letting them know what you need and maintaining communications with them before, during and after the event just to stay in the front of their mind.

You do need to decide though why you are donating your services. Again, nothing wrong with getting something for what you do but in my experience with churches and charitable organizations, is that they are trying to accomplish an organizational goal and do not have time for much more than coordinating the donations/volunteers. If you believe in the cause and are only concerned with furthering the cause, then continue to volunteer. If you are looking to get something out of the relationship, let them know before you accept the responsibility and manage the relationship as you would with any other customer or client. Keep in mind that the administration of the church is people who are flawed just like you or I and typically are not oriented towards serving you. They may even have a blind spot when it comes to recognition of all the individuals who step up and donate time, money and materials. In MANY cases, the organizers themselves seek no recognition for their efforts and may assume your attitude is the same.

Hope you are able to actively contribute to the cause but if the cost is too high and the reward too small, there is no reason to continue to help the organization. If your orientation is strictly to help the organization then know you have a much more valuable reward already.