Mixing Business & Family

[KidPics]

So I believe this is my first official post to POTN, so please bear with me...

I recently had a very rough and bumpy experience with doing a shoot for some close family members. Their assumption was that I was going to do everything for free because they were "family." I had always intended on keeping it black and white when dealing with family, and keeping it consistent from client to client no matter who they were. It was my mistake for not telling them upfront that I at least wanted to be paid my overhead and be compensated for my time. But now, to avoid a severed relationship, I am giving everything to them for free...

I'm asking all of you professionals out there how you typically deal with taking photos for close friends and family. Do you have a contract that you give out to all your clients, no matter who they are? Are you "discounts" that you offer always the same, or is it a case-by-case basis. Also, what advice to you have for helping me explain my case as far as asking for a small amount of compensation for doing this service for them?

Thanks in Advance!

Erin - 1K Words Photography

[hypertech]

When it comes to friends and family, I do it for free or I don't do it at all.

[cabandrew]

As far as family goes, yes I do them for free unless I have to drive
X amount of miles, then I'll ask them if they can buy me lunch, gas, etc.
As far as friends go, I charge them the same as I would any other
person who asked me to do a shoot. If your doing photography for
a business, you need to keep it consistent and charge evryone the
same otherwise if you do a shoot for your best friend and knock
$100 bucks off, then they tell another friend of yours and they come to
you expecting the same kind of deal.


Just my thoughts, Thanks

[KidPics]

So do you think I was wrong in asking to be compensated for my time (post-shoot/editing/design work) and for them to pay at least cost for their prints? I did not charge them any sort of sitting fee, and always do that portion free for my friends and family. My issue with giving everything else away for free, is that I don't think everyone has the discretion at where to draw the line. If your families know they are getting it all for free, do you give them a limit on how much they can order? Or is it whatever they want, they get?

Further explanation would be greatly appreciated...

[Dennis_Hammer]

Cost of prints is never out of line to ask for. But I think with close family you need to have an understanding before you shoot. Asking afterwards is always trouble. Family always expects you to give your time, now costing you money is a whole other story getting compensated for what you put out for prints is never unreasonable.

P.S. if you want to have that black & white consistent from customer to customer whoever it is working relationship.....don't shoot family & friends anymore because thats not gonna happen there.

[cabandrew]

No, I don't think you were wrong for asking for compensation, if
more than $50 bucks is coming out of my pocket for their photoshoot
then yes I would ask them to pay at least part of it. Sorry it sounds
like I'm running in circles. About the prints its a definite (YES)
they do need to pay for that. Basically use your own discretion
in the situation.

[RDKirk]

When it comes to friends and family, I do it for free or I don't do it at all.

Absolutely.

Family, friends, business, whatever: Full freight or free, never cut-rate. They will never ever really appreciate a cut-rate. You decide what you want to give them, how much work you're willing to do, and do that much and no more. You can do that if you're doing it completely as a gift. If they have to pay anything at all, they will feel entitled to tell you what they want.

Either you're willing to go to the trouble and expense completely as a gift or you're not. If not, buy them a box of chocolates or charge them full price. I guarantee you your life will be simpler.

Full freight or free, never cut-rate.

[hypertech]

No, I don't think you were wrong for asking for compensation, if
more than $50 bucks is coming out of my pocket for their photoshoot
then yes I would ask them to pay at least part of it. Sorry it sounds
like I'm running in circles. About the prints its a definite (YES)
they do need to pay for that. Basically use your own discretion
in the situation.

+1. If I order them prints, they pay at least cost. To be honest, my family wouldn't let me order product for them and not pay for it unless I had told them it is a gift before hand.

[BscPhoto]

I always shoot family for free but I still have them sign a contract and agree upfront to pay for expenses and to tip my assistant.

If it's a wedding you are going to be shooting for family it will be worth it to shoot for free. I have never shot a wedding that I didn't get a referral from. Nothings ever free, someone will eventually pay!

[MJPhotos24]

I've had a family member asking me for years to do some stuff, the answer is always no thanks (it's always something I don't do - I'm not the type of photographer she wants!). Business and family don't mix.

[KidPics]

+1. If I order them prints, they pay at least cost. To be honest, my family wouldn't let me order product for them and not pay for it unless I had told them it is a gift before hand.

hypertech - I thought I had the same kind of family until i actually did the shoot for them... who knew. Another lesson learned. Thanks for the comments and advice!

[KidPics]

I always shoot family for free but I still have them sign a contract and agree upfront to pay for expenses and to tip my assistant.

If it's a wedding you are going to be shooting for family it will be worth it to shoot for free. I have never shot a wedding that I didn't get a referral from. Nothings ever free, someone will eventually pay!

BscPhoto - I was hoping someone would tell me that they use a contract because this is seriously what I'm considering so that there are no gray areas! Is the contract you use strictly for family, or do you use it for other clients as well? Just curious about how broad/general I should make it... Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated!

[Sibil]

Business and family don't mix.

+1

.

[JEC]

I'd shoot the friends and family for free, hand the images over on a flash drive and let them get them printed from the lab of their choice.
You are asking for a "small amount" of compensation. Perhaps that compensation will some of the best word-of-mouth adversing you could ever get.

[Mike30D]

Weddings they get a 10% discount on the package price. Everything else is full cost or I don't do it.

[bric-a-brac]

I have a set "friends & family" price list, which is as discounted as I'm willing to go without losing out on time and energy invested. I have it because I appreciate friends and family who want to support me, and it makes them feel like they have a special "in" with a photographer.

the list is non-negotiable.

[saturnin]

i dont shoot family stuff for that reason... let them shoot with a pocket camera or i'll shoot with their cameras, too many headaches.. free or not

[BBrat]

I have done stuff for family and close friends. I give them the "friends and family plan rate". (basically if I print at home I charge them materials cost plus a few bucks). I will be the first to admit I am losing $$ giving them the prices I have, but it keeps everyone happy). If I have to travel then I make it very clear I need to paid for travel expenses.

I have to admit now friends are starting to take advantage of my time and expect stuff done for cheap or free lately. But I will say this it helps to build a portfolio fast.