When to make the transition to getting paid?

[funkybuddha]

I've covered quite a few club events now for a website, and for myself as well, but how does one know when they should be getting paid to do it?
In total, I've covered at least 8 or 9 events altogether in the past 8 months.

The website/party organizers get me free admission, and all access passes. Sometimes the free drinks are a nice touch LOL. But most important is me gaining experience. Meeting a whole schwack of people (important or not) and developing a good rapport, hopefully word of mouth spreads my name around.

Now..if I wanted to get paid for my efforts, how would I break the news to the people that hire me? I can't shoot all this stuff for free forever.


advice, tips, suggestions, criticism, everything...ideas!!

thanks!

[ssim]

Therein lies the problem with shooting for free with no discussions on what will transpire down the road. You have set an expectation that you are happy doing this for free. I think the only recourse you have is to tell them in a professional manner that feel it is only fair that you receive payment for your services. The problem is that there is probably another person sitting in the wings to take your place of shooting for nothing. This is a vicious circle that does nothing to help this industry but it does get you the experience you want but at what cost.

If a person is willing to pay someone to work there the best thing I would suggest is to say, I will do the next (pick a number) events and then if you are happy here is the rate structure. That way there is no questions about your ability to charge after that threshold has been reached.

[PhotosGuy]

Good advice.
Is anyone else doing that type of work there? Do you have any idea what they charge? Do you have any idea what you should charge?

[funkybuddha]

Yes there are quite a few and No I don't know what they charge. And I don't even know what I should charge because I don't know what others charge. I'll have to keep digging, but for now I think I'll be doing these for experience. I have my first fashion show to do which would be a big boost in the portfolio. Etc etc...

[PhotosGuy]

Yes there are quite a few and No I don't know what they charge. The telephone is your friend? ;)

[sfaust]

... is me gaining experience. Meeting a whole schwack of people (important or not) and developing a good rapport, hopefully word of mouth spreads my name around.

This is one of the biggest problems with shooting for fee. It hurts your reputation in the long run. Yes, you meet lots of people. You make contacts, potential clients, other event promoters an owners. It gets your name around. But thats exactly what you don't want.

They spread you name. "Hey, I know this great photographer that shoots xyz. I've worked with him now on 8 or 9 shoots last year. Nice work, and he doesn't charge anything (or just admission, or $20 for gas, or....).

You've spent a year building up a list of contacts that will expect everything for nothing. That reputation will follow you, even after you've dumped all those contacts you spent all that time building up, and changed your price structure.

You are far better off telling anyone your price is $xxx per event, however because of some special reason, you'll do this one for less. It sets your price, makes them feel they are getting something valuable for nothing, and when they recommend you to someone else they will probably mention the price which helps pre-qualify the client so they won't be expecting a free ride if they call you a year later for a job.

Its just a different way to approach shooting for fee without shooting yourself in the foot.

Another good way is to donate your services to charity auctions. Ie, give away portrait packages to charities that host auctions as a way to raise money. You will get lots of exposure, your value is set for everyone to see, and someone will buy your services for some amount. You get your experience, they get a cheap portrait, you get free advertising to hundreds, and you are both doing something good for the charity.

[funkybuddha]

The telephone is your friend? ;)


workin on it...jeez..LOL..

[elysium]

I started off with club photography early this year and found it was great fun. I started off in the same boat, turn up for free, snap etc and build my name.

Sadly, working for free did not cover my transport costs, time spent processing etc so I decided to call it off. As much as it was fun, it was really not worth it for the money, or lack of. I consulted the owner and explained the situation and came to a reasonable solution, IMHO.

I would get paid a set amount per photo required in bulks of 50. Lets say, 45p per photo. For me and the owner, it turned out great. I sold 100-150 photos every weekend and the money was good enough to cover my time, travel and processing. The enjoyment was still there.

Yes spreading your name is a good thing to do but I would recommend 2/3 weeks before charging since otherwise your name will spread as the "guy who does it cheap".