kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

I agree also that the work given to your church should be done with a servant's heart. But that is a very personal decision that you have to make and live with. You need to ask yourself why you are doing it in the first place. I understand your feelings of being taken advantage of, but maybe God has a different use for your talents in the church other than the website or school photos. Hope you are able to come to terms with this one way or another. Good luck and God bless.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

For four years I shot portraits and groups for a church with a fairly large attendance. Sure I gave a lot but I also got a lot back. I took photos of many different people in some very difficult light conditions which improved my skill level. The most important thing I enjoyed giving without expecting anything in return. From what I have read above you don’t seem to be very grateful for helping out your church expecting more in return. /George

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I say enough is enough. I would feel used too.

Dabe Loc: Southern Missouri, Ozarks

In a round-about way, yes, quite often, and for many years! You can't out-give God, so if I give of my time and talent with a servants heart I receive blessings in return. Therefore, all things considered, it's not really "for free". If you did "volunteer" work expecting something in return, then you were not doing anything "for free". You were expecting payment in the form of special consideration for a paying job. Did you make your price clearly known up front?
The only thing that has ever bothered me about the work I do for the church, is when they pay someone to do work that I would gladly do without "pay", and that I am more qualified to do than the person they hired. This mindset is wrong too! Why, because there are reasons beyond my understanding that things happen the way they do. Perhaps the decision makers felt I was too busy, or that they had leaned on me too heavily already. Or perhaps it was God's way of providing for a financial need in the life of the person they hired.
It certainly is not wrong to want to be considered for paying jobs, but if you wish to be considered for those then simply make that known to the appropriate people. Maybe someone was concerned that if they asked you, then you would want to do the work for free, and they did not want to burden you in that way. Most misunderstandings are simply that; misunderstandings!
No one on this forum can tell you what you should or should not do for your church, that is between you and God. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

markmmmm

let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom (to you), let it be.

JP Pixburgh Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I wouldn't do anymore free work for them and I'd tell them why. Because when it's free, they call you and when it's not, they call someone else. Churches are businesses and you should bill them accordingly. Since you didn't generate business from them, they're pegging you as a sucker just like any other business would. And if they give you that "do it for God" shpeel, you just tell them God doesn't pay my bills.

tonykphoto9

I'd say yes, I'll do it if you give me photographic credit and allow me to use them in my portfolio.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I would say screw them unless your work is not worth paying for.

willowpix

On something they are bringing in another photographer for, ask if you can bid on the event the next time around. People may not approach you, fearing you would be overloaded or not realizing you would do it for pay. From another perspective, for those things you would do for free, consider that in the offerings and gifts domain.

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Is the Church a "business" or a "charitable organization"? I expect remuneration from the former and nothing from the latter.
If you view your Church as a "hybrid" , sort of like those community service non-profits, then you could expect and request a mention in a bulletin or wherever your photos are displayed. Perhaps you have seen contributions in school and Art programs from kind individuals who not only don't expect anything, but do not want anything in return.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

For many years I have covered all the events of my church so that we will have a photographic memory of those happenings. I did it not for any recognition or compensation but for all of my friends in the congregation.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Yea right, take the hook out of your mouth and tell them to find another sucker.

Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

I do shoot some freebies for close friends and charities and such however, if they were going to bring in other photographers for pay why not you too?? I probably would have left.

twr25 Loc: New Jersey

I have taken thousands of shots for schools, sports, headshots, family weddings, etc and just plain fun ... all free. I'm retired (ex-cop) and I don't want to make it "work"! My next door neighbor is a pro and I send him all the commercial work as people ask me all the time. I also run a website ($5.00 per Mo) for the photos where they can D/L large files free or have them printed by the website vendor (Smugmug.com) and I take no profit. I could set up for profit as Smugmug offers various levels of content from amateur to pro. My Pro neighbor does free work for Habitat for Humanity and local charities. When it comes to work ... he values his photos and often testifies in copyright cases in NYC.

FordPrefect Loc: Indiana

Your free work for the church would seem to qualify as a tax deduction..