What should I do?

[imagesbybarbara]

I have a dilema. I helped another photographer last week as a second shooter and agreed to do the same this week. He did not tell me any details but emailed me today that the wedding is about 1.5 hours away and with being a touristy area it will mean 3 hours since I have traveled the route in the summer and it never changes. To boot I have the stomach flu and been really sick all afternoon.

I called him and asked if I am well could he cover my time and gas on the travel and all got silent. Am I overreating that he did not give me all this info upfront when he first contacted me??

[howzitboy]

id say if u getting paid for it, then he should include travel (or at least some of it) but if u are shooting as learning xp/sample shots, then just be happy for the xp!!

[SuzyView]

This is the best time to start having good communication with people you work with. Tell him you need more lead time. There's no shame in that. I always give people the benefit . . . . It's good business practice.

[gravy graffix]

wow so if your just doing a trial... and hes not willing to throw you a bone for a 3 hour trip... hmmm...kinda make it not worth it.

[imagesbybarbara]

Thanks for the replies, I am a professional photographer I have my own business. The photographer asked me about three weeks ago to help him on those two dates, the pay is not great for what he charges and my experince but that did not matter. I do not keep any files or even get to look at them except online which isn't the same thing so I get no extra kick back there either.

If I needed help and had a wedding that far away I would tell the person upfront about it, which makes me very dissappointed in his actions, I would never do that to someone.

To make matters worse its the fourth weekend and the traffic OMG I know what it will be. When I helped him last week he did all the formals without the bridal boquets so mom and dad and relatives where bouquet less.

[TeeJay]

....I am a professional photographer I have my own business.....

...then your business head should have clarified all these things "up front". If he is paying you, and your "contract" (either written or verbal) doesn't include travel - then you may have a problem expecting it.

I think the only comeback you possibly have is the short notice and lack of prior information given, but, that could also be down to you agreeing to do it before knowing exactly what it was you were doing!

TJ

[jpwone]

Email him and say you are happy to help but payment for travel time and cost of travel need to be agreed as he had not made you aware of the travel requirement for this job.

Propose something simple ie. 50 cents a mile and $30 per hour with the first 10 miles and half hour included in your normal rate. The $30 per hour covers your time and the 50 cents per mile covers gas, insurance, wear and tear etc on the vehicle.

He will probably reject it and then have to find a second shooter but thats his call.

[imagesbybarbara]

We have emailed a couple of times back and forth and he will not compensate in anyway, in fact he told me that $60 was asking to much since I was not driving a Hummer.

[TheHoff]

I'd tell him to find someone that will work for peanuts because it wouldn't be me. Unless you need the cash, call his bluff and say you won't be there if he isn't paying travel time and gas. That is ridiculous that he won't if the pay rate is already low. I bet he needs you more than you need him, so use that leverage.

[azpix]

if it were me, i'd pass. nothing cool about being taken advantage of.

[conkeroo]

if it were me, i'd pass. nothing cool about being taken advantage of.
Id have to agree totally. The reason why theres so many who'll try it on is because photographers (even flickr acc. holders, etc, etc) don't know their worth.

[sfaust]

I'd send him a nice reply, let him know you did some basic research, and found that everyone else was offering nearly twice as much (or whatever it is in your area), with travel time reimbursed. And that you appreciated the work to date, but its not cost effective to work for less than what you could be making flipping burgers, and thus need to move on.

Then do so...