how much to charge?

ok first of all... this is a hobby... so i took pics of my kids at night hockey.. i know the WB is off... and other issues..
im using a t2i and 85mm @ f1.8...

so i gave pics to a guy on the board to put on the website.. (i dont see them there so i cant give you the link.........yet....)

anywho... he saw me in person and gave me my thumb drive back and said they were sport illustrator worthy.. now you have to realize (which i know you know)... most people used to seeing crappy pics see semi ok pics and are wowed....
so he said to me.. he wants me to take tournament pics when the time comes..

now this is my time and my equipment use...
am i wrong for asking for any payment?
now that payment would be lets say i just take pics of a game like i do.. edit them and put them on a site.... and give prices... is that wrong? i need a 70-200 f2.8 IS II...and $2200 aint gonna be in my stocking.. now i wouldnt get that from pic sales either.. but it can help...


so i tried searching.. and dont know.. what is a price that i can give out... $5 a pic... $10 a pic... what? what is a reasonable price??

so i know you will think my pics suck and that is cool...... but so many people are wowed by them...

here are a few...

1. meant to focus on ball dropper...

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/6​508402209/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/6​450124799/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/6​450124005/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/6​348541169/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/6​345892129/

id rent the 70-200 instead of purchasing it for the time being.
as for charging, i cant say cause its strictly a hobby for me. but someone will chime in

I'd do it for free, it's good experience and if works out well you can charge them next time. I've found as soon as money enters the scene, expectations change. I attended a gallery show the other evening here, and a number of people in attendance are familiar with my photos. They were telling me I should do this; print and frame up some photos, get the gallery owner to display them (I know her), etc, etc. I told them if they want any of my photos they can have them if they pay the printing costs. My goal in this hobby is to be able to shoot the picture I see in my mind, that's what I'm working on.
I have a neighbor who started taking photos about 15 years ago, he has turned a hobby into a full time job that all he does is complain about. He doesn't sell many photos, but he works like hell at it and is a PIA to be around because of his constant complaining.

yeah my main job is in IT.. so i know expectations and the sort if i charged for pics...
that is why i do not want to do weddings... i dont want people to have high expectations and if something goes wrong.. dont want to get sued over it for ruining bridezillas day..

yeah guess ill just do it for free.. what i was figuring is i would take the pics... and give the small ones for the web.. and if people wanted larger ones.. they would already see them.. they can buy them.... so the expectation part is kind of gone.... not like they are paying me to get pics of their kid or team specifically.....

i have also taken these pics and let the families have them for free too...

http://s1238.photobuck​et.com …no/2011%20MTYS%​20Inferno/

There is nothing wrong with getting some return on your effort and investment. Even if you do just go for the "buy the picture" business plan.

There is effort in shooting, treating and advertising the shots.

Even if you just mark up the prints by 200-300%, don't forget taxes you'll pay in the calculation. If they just want the soft copy, discount the price of the print and keep your margin up by adding the cost of the DVD.

Don't be too surprised when your work is not as attractive to the other parents when they have to pay for it. $ does create a difference in attitude.

If you have not started to shoot in RAW yet, could be a good habit to get into. Allows you to recover a lot more than jpg.

Look at renting the lens, as mentioned, or look to buy used. even a 70-200 L MK I with IS would be great for this (what I use) and costs a lot less. Lots of good used equipment here, and usually good people. I've bought plenty of great equipment from here.

Most off, just enjoy yourself and the challenge you've set for yourself. Streatch beyond the borders and take on the big things is how some of us learn.

some raw edits..
i posted them in the t2i...

https://photography-on-the.net …p=13560412&post​count=7319

im told my WB is off.. and not white.. so tried getting it white and everything seems to overexposed..

i agree with you when it is free everyone wants it.. and when you have to pay.. they wont...
i wont do prints... if someone wants it.. i will get it to them on CD.....
I got time to think about it.. i wont be able to rent or buy a lens as my wife wont go for that.. since i dont have the side funds for that...

If it was my child playing I would turn it down. You say it is just a hobby. They will command the time you should be spending cheering on your kid and taking photos of your child and you will never get that back. Just my .02.