Another "would you be our free photographer" email

I recieved this email through our facebook page... what a joke... This just goes to add to the growing pile of people that think that just because a photographer might be desperate(stupid) enough to do free work with the ridiculous hope of gaining some new business from it, that they can get free event photography...

What probably irk's me the most is that they clearly didn't even look at my facebook page, as all of my recent work is right there, as well as a prominent link to my website...

Silly fishing marketing director...

Sad thing is, I really should respond to this, as I know who suggested us for the free job, and they are good clients... so I need to make sure to reply in a kind but professional no... and try not to go into rant mode!

Here's the email, for your enjoyment:

Marshall Photography,

FAMILY RUN NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAIN is currently looking for a photographer to take pictures at our Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, December 8th from 8 am to 10 am. This is an event that we are offering at no cost to the families – they may choose to purchase breakfast with us of course but otherwise there is no cost to them. In addition to dining with Santa and having photos taken, we are also planning to have another fun and free activity (painting an ornament or something along those lines), and we will have both our big Cow (dressed as Santa Cow) and Kid Cow (dressed as a kid Elf Cow) there as well. We’ll also have the place fully decorated to make it fun and festive for all families who choose to participate (balloons, etc.). We are looking for someone who is trying to build their business, and who would be willing to take photos of kids with Santa and provide one free picture to the kids at no cost.

We’ve done this several ways in the past (in other cities), but typically a photographer would take the photos and then either have the guests come to their studio to pick up their free photo and/or email the free picture to the guest (usually a 5 x 7 or possibly 4 x 6) of course with the option to purchase additional photos.

Additionally we encourage the photographer to place signing for their business in the restaurant during the event, and we also will link to the photographer’s facebook page and/or website (if there is one) on our facebook page to give due credit for taking photos at the event.

We would love to find a photographer willing and able to snap a few other fun, festive photos of the event while in our restaurant that we could post on facebook and/or on our “Community Board” inside the restaurant (again with credit given).

We don’ t look for a big, popular photography company for this, but rather a small local business who is looking to get some exposure and build up their client base while helping out another locally and independently owned and operated business – FAMILY RUN NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAIN

Beginning in January and throughout 2013, we will have many other events (for example Daddy Daughter Date Nights, Touch A Truck Day, Pirate/Princess Night, Girls Night Out and the list goes on). Ideally, we’d love to build a great working relationship with a photographer who could help us long term. (Some of our events won’t require a photographer but many of them will).

You have personally been recommended to us by a friend (or friend of a friend) on facebook, and we are starting our search from here. I will be sending out a few of these letters to photographers to see who is willing and able to take on the task of taking photos at our Breakfast with Santa event. I’ve tried to search on facebook for a few examples of your work (some I have found, some not very many), but if you’re interested in this opportunity, we’d love to see a few of your best photos to help us decide who will be the best fit. Whoever we find – we will see how the results turn out, and you can see how it works out for you and your business, and we will decide together if it’s a good match for future events when that time comes.

Please let me know if this interests you and/or if you have any questions.

Thank you!

REMOVED
Marketing Director
FAMILY RUN NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAIN

I want to respond with a simple email that states that the costs are too high to provide this service to their customers for nothing... I mean, even the prints alone, at $1 each, estimating 1 photo/minute for 2 hours is: $120...

But I don't want to come across as mean, basically lay out my costs for them (no numbers) and politley excuse myself from the 'job'

What would you say?

I wouldnt even bother to reply.

I would tell them I would happily give free photos as lond as they were giving free breakfast. Eggs and toast don't cost nothing right?

SNAP... "trying to build their business, and who would be willing to take photos of kids with Santa and provide one free picture to the kids at no cost."

I wouldn't go into details, a simple "Sorry, I do not photograph corporate events at no cost. A Santa photographer is either paid by the corporation to be at the event and supply the 'free' photograph to the family, or they are able to sell the photographs to the families. If you would like to go with the first option then we can look at designing and printing some cardboard frames with your logo on the front. It's a great opportunity to further your marketing, especially if you do this every year, and of course a good service to the community. It certainly sounds like it'll be fun and I'd love to photograph this event for you, if you'd like to find out more about how we can help you please let me know a good time to come in and see you."

ok, not so simple after all

Daship wrote in post #15172210
I would tell them I would happily give free photos as lond as they were giving free breakfast. Eggs and toast don't cost nothing right?

I would think the photos would cost more than eggs and toast?

Don't waste your time replying.

Being in business means that you will get solicited for lots of things including your services. This is not new. I worked at a studio many years ago before digital photography was around and people would approach them to come and shoot their events or parties for free hoping that we would download the cost on their customers when they came for the prints.

Since their letter does say that it was being sent to more than just yourself I wouldn't take it quite so personally. In business you have to be able to say no to things that don't make sense without being offensive. If this doesn't make sense for you then respectively decline but I do think that you should reply to it. There are times that I do things like this because when I ad up the cost versus the advertising potential it makes sense. I would not do this as they have asked because largely I only contribute to worthy (ie charitable) causes and this appears to be nothing more than a company providing a Christmas event for the children of their employees. You could answer them with a simple no or you could try and turn it into an opportunity where you say you simply cannot do it for free but you would be happy to sit down with them and discuss a way to turn this into a win-win for both you and them. Never simply dismiss a contact because you don't like the original terms, you have an opportunity to contact them that may work into something else down the road. Not every contact is going to turn into paid work but if you don't talk to them you will never know. I view every request I get as an opportunity to upsell to a more expensive service.

Daship wrote in post #15172210
I would tell them I would happily give free photos as lond as they were giving free breakfast. Eggs and toast don't cost nothing right?

+ 1 here!

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I will respond, as ssim and others suggested.

Dear XXXXXXXXXXX,

Thank you for your inquiry, this sounds like a fun event! One of the specialties of our business is the ability to take professional photos and print 4x6" photos on-on site. Our marketing budget has already been designated for this year, so we are unable to provide free-of-cost photography services and prints for your event. We charge ~XXX per hour for this service with one print per family, with a 3 hour minimum. We have numerous options/upgrades available as well. If you are interested in entering a professional contract with us, we would be thrilled to work with you.
Thank you very much for your consideration,

XXXXXXXXXX

What do you think?

love it! great to see you turning it into what could be an opportunity..


Interesting there's a couple of 'don't bother replying'... worlds worst business ethics?

harroz wrote in post #15172517
love it! great to see you turning it into what could be an opportunity..


Interesting there's a couple of 'don't bother replying'... worlds worst business ethics?

I don't think "ethics" was the word you were looking for.

BTW, this particular "FAMILY RUN NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAIN" wouldn't get a reply from me, either.

He did well, I think. He stated his stance and was polite enough. That's the way to do it.

moose10101 wrote in post #15172590
I don't think "ethics" was the word you were looking for.

How about business acumen instead of ethics?

harroz wrote in post #15172517
love it! great to see you turning it into what could be an opportunity..


Interesting there's a couple of 'don't bother replying'... worlds worst business ethics?

Business ethics? A large and profitable business seeks free labor from small businesses (they even admit they dont want to work with an big popular firm). They do so via facebook trolling and you expect a personalized response? Thats like a trout thanking the fisherman for the opportunity to be caught and eaten.

I'd do it.

This is why: One of the biggest things I've learned is to Look out for every and all kinds of opportunities. If you see a hint at one, put your creativity hat on and try to figure out a way to make it profitable. If you can't, pass...but try to get involved, try to be proactive, not reaction. Keep in touch, now the channel is open, make a conversation and see if you can find out more about them, what they do, talk about how you fit into that. Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity. Write that on your ceiling and read it every night.

There's always someone prepared to sacrifice their integrity in the hope of up selling which (IMHO) in this case is about as likely as platting fog.