Friend wants me to teach him photography...

I have a friend who recently found out I'm a photographer, and has expressed to me that he loves taking pictures. He also went on about how he would like for me to teach him basically what I know.
He says he doesn't want to do it for business, only for fun, but we know how that goes.

Now, I don't mind offering suggestions on how to improve and such. But it kind of rubbed me the wrong way because I've studied, read, researched and worked very hard to get to where I am now. I'm still learning, but I'm a lot better than I was several years ago.

I don't want to spoon feed him everything I know, so how can I respectfully decline showing him everything I've worked for in the last few years?

I also can see where this would be going. After I teach him stuff, He figures, hey, I can make a few bucks on the side if I start charging people, not as much as this guy, but less and get a lot of gigs.
The sad part is the majority of people either don't care or don't see the value of higher end photography and many times just shop on price.
Sorry for the long-ish post, but I wanted to rant a bit and see how others have handled this situation I'm sure has been experienced before.
Thanks.

I had almost that same thing come up last week. I just took about an hour and compiled some sites that have helped me, a list of reading materials, some DVD suggestion etc. and explained that I wouldn't be comfortable teaching as I am not a good teacher. I basically tried to guide her into thinking it would be in her best interest to use the resources I gave her to learn at her own pace.

I'll show anyone that wants to learn a few basics to get them started, but I'm not going to dole out everything I've learned for free.

Why not simply charge him for lessons?

I haven't had this happen to me, but I am only new to photography for the past year and half...I guess I don't know that muct yet..LOL
Sometimes when you have a friend that you can call on for the easy answers helps a bunch, but I would rather learn the hard way...reading, studying and by trial and error! I don't blame you for not wanting to teach sombody everything you know...friend or not.
Maybe just show him a few of the basics and the rest is up to him?

Just tell him to create a login here on POTN and start reading!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #12074082
Why not simply charge him for lessons?

Charging a friend is rarely a good idea.

Have a few friends like that.

Hell, one picked up a rebel, was asking me questions one week and the WEEK LATER was criticizing my studio work.

I was looking at him like... what.... Who are you again ?

I would love to teach.... eventually. But i'm not there yet, i don't mind helping -some- friends, but its really a personal choice as to who, i have some clients, who've asked me for tips, and thats great.

Oh, the same friend who had his rebel for a month, now wants a 7D, he'll just use the kit lens on it, asking me how to shoot concert photos.

Myboostedgst wrote in post #12074219
Charging a friend is rarely a good idea.

I disagree, a true friend would offer to pay, a true friend would want to help you in your business.

I don't know. Maybe I'm weird but I LOVE to teach or help out when someone asks. Honestly I've shared all sorts of things with friends that asked, everything about what camera to buy to how to take certain types of shots. The main reason IMO, is that's what's helped my own business become successful. I'm eternally grateful to the local professionals that took the time to help me out from business to the technical side of photography.

I mean really that's what this forum is all about too. I've never been threatened by someone that wanted to learn from me or other newcomers that may even be copying my style. It helps spurn me on to become more creative. The thing is that, that person will NEVER take the exact image as you, it will always have a slightly different look than if you took it. AND I say go for it when I hear someone wants to try and make photography their career. Reason being is that I can't take everyone's pictures!

Even though the market is EXTREMELY saturated, I still think there's enough to go around.

with that being said, if you think this guys a tool and just wants to use you, well that's a whole other story. You just have to use your judgment. I truly love helping others when I know they're respectful and honor the help I'm giving them. But when you know someone's just trying to take advantage of you it sucks. In that case I would just make myself as unavailable as possible.

I'm honestly stand off-ish with advice depending on who asks - there's a person back home who thinks "up to $1,000 is outrageous for a wedding" and they'll charge $100 or $150 not realizing one bit you pay taxes, have expenses, plus time, etc. Keeps on claiming we're in the same business when they talk to people and I'm there, but don't think one bit they realize a manual comes with the camera, etc. etc. etc. Sure I'll have a beer or two with them, but if they want to start talking business I try to change subjects. Don't have time to waste trying to teach someone that seems like they would undercut me or another working professional on the drop of a hat if the opportunity came up.

Now if it's someone that seems like they actually want to learn something, are open, then I honestly give them the url to this site (shameless plug for a site we're already on right now? Just happened.)

^ This is exactly how I'm thinking.
I understand trying to help people out and stuff. I appreciate the knowledge I've gained via forums and I don't hesitate to help someone on the forum genuinely looking for advice to improve. But there's an impersonal aspect to forums that make it less threatening I guess you could say, when it comes to training others.
I look at it this way, and will use hyperbole for the sake of making the point: Do you think Apple or Intel would take someone who "Wants to learn how to make computers/circuit boards" and show them everything they've R&D'd over the past decades?
Bring it closer to home: Do you think that Annie Leibovitz would take a noob by the hand and show them everything she's learned about photography in her life?
Not to say I'm anything like either of those examples, but you get the idea.

I've worked long and hard to get to this point, and while my business side hasn't 'taken off' so to speak, I'm not going to condense the last 4 years of my life spent learning this craft to 2 or 3 months handing everything over to some new guy who will no doubt undercut my rates simply because they don't know the costs of doing business.

I think I will just lay it out and tell him how I feel, and just suggest he read and stuff.
Thanks for the input, and I'd like to hear more of how people feel on this subject, so lets keep this going.

Csae wrote in post #12074288
Oh, the same friend who had his rebel for a month, now wants a 7D, he'll just use the kit lens on it, asking me how to shoot concert photos.

I disagree, a true friend would offer to pay, a true friend would want to help you in your business.

true, and true!

There's a difference between helping a friend enjoy a hobby more and creating competition.

However, if the person is truly serious about becoming "a photographer," then by all means, charge them for your time and knowledge and move yourself into the realm that every other shooter seems to be moving towards: Workshops!

....

wow.... Then you guys aren't friends.

There is being a friend and good teacher and just a general good person and then there is sitting upon your high horse to watch the inexperienced toil in ignorance.

If he said he wants to remain recreational with it then why jump to conclusions and get mad that someone wants to learn?

Not everything is about money and not everyone is out to cut into it.
If you feel that way about him then he is better off not having you as a friend.

Harsh words, but if I were him and came by this thread I would tell you where to put it.

btw, I am sure he didnt just "Find Out"
Word leaks by the one who speaks.

take a walk with him to the bookstore, and have him buy Understanding Exposure

That's a very good starting point