Advice on charging friends :)

So I haven't actually charged anyone I've taken pictures of yet, but I've had a friend ask me to do engagement pictures for him and his fiance, and he's asked me how much I want to do them. First of all, I have no idea how much I should be charging anyone, let alone a friend. Second, I would like to give him a deal since he is my friend, but I also don't want to be taken advantage of (so far, he's the first of my friends to actually want to pay me). I've read a lot here about how people begin to take advantage of you if you don't charge them what you're actually worth (not saying I'm worth a lot, but I think I'm good enough to get paid something! )

Anyways, my question is what do you guys think would be fair to charge him (or do you think I should do it for free??)? I'm so thankful for any advice you can give me!!!!!!

If friends want photos I do it for free or don't do it at all. I don't mind spending an hour helping a friend out, but for something like a wedding where it's three days work and lost income from other jobs, I just say no. Have them pay costs and take you out for dinner.

Thanks, Tim! That's awesome advice! I was so stressed about it, but that makes a lot of sense. You truly brought the light.

From a professional point of view, I've found it most easy to stick to this policy in all cases: Full price or free.

If my relationship with someone is significant enough for me do a job as purely a gift, I do it for free. If I don't like them that much, I charge full price.

I never, ever do anything at a cut-rate price. I never, ever charge "just expenses." Nobody values a "just expenses" fee, and they will feel that because they have to pay anything at all, they are a customer and should get exactly everything they demand.

I found that if I want to control how much I do for them, I have to do it totally as a gift. Otherwise, it's better to do it totally on a business basis, with no cut-rates. Or not do it at all--just send them a card.

^^ Agree wholeheartedly with this --- Also with Tim of course. Close family members are free, everybody else is full price.

Thanks for the advice! We were already planning on going to dinner afterward, so I just asked them to pay for dinner and we'd call it even. They are good friends so I didn't really feel comfortable charging them. I think the "full price or free" is a good rule to live by. You guys are awesome for replying!!

now.. on a completely unrelated matter and subject..
ur blog, flickr and fb links are not working.

nickbunyun wrote in post #7962289
now.. on a completely unrelated matter and subject..
ur blog, flickr and fb links are not working.

Thank you for letting me know! I fixed them. Not sure what happened, I probably just forgot to link them, doh!

Hehe, you're welcome.
I usually like to look around at people's Flickr pictures.
Nice shots there, hehe.

You're a good man

I had my childhood best friend shoot my second wedding which was super casual, beach wedding in my parent's backyard. We literally only wanted a few posed pictures, and the cupcake tree and some of the venue. We gave him a $250 gift card to B&H.

We now second shoot for each other.

I always shoot my bff for free, but she refers paid clients to me...

For friends it's free or not at all

Friends and Family get a 10% discount on package prices.