Blown opportunity or smart decision?

Read the following email exchange between myself and the university Sports Information Director and tell me how you think I handled the situation. What would you have done? Did I blow an opportunity? Share your thoughts. I'm not thinned-skinned (mostly) so I can take it.

Oh, and here's a brief history... One of the coaches in the athletic department knows I shoot on the side and likes my work. She referred me to the SID who needed a photographer for one of the home football games. So I forwarded him an email with some shots I took of a game last year, which I posted here on POTN...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=326104

Here's the email exchange (events occur from the present to the past, and the name and contact information have been removed to protect the innocent):


Family is always first and I fully understand. Enjoy your weekend.

Thanks,

[Sports Information Director]



From: Ed Malone
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 5:10 PM
To: xxxxxx
Subject: RE: Football

Mr. Goings, thanks for getting back to me. Unfortunately I won’t be able to shoot the game without monetary compensation. I do paid work on my free time, which helps bring home extra money for the family. And when I’m not working to provide for my family, I spend all the extra time I do have with them considering the military still is a full-time 24/7 commitment. And being that this game takes place on a weekend, it would surely interfere with the quality time I could be spending with my family. You know the saying “Time is money…” I do hope you understand and I’m sorry I can’t help you out. Perhaps you can solicit the BSU media department for coverage.

V/R
SFC Ed Malone
Senior Military Instructor
Bowie State University


From: xxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:43 PM
To: Ed Malone
Subject: RE: Football

Hi Ed,

Some time early next week will be best but “paying you” may be an issue. Our usual photographer will not be able to attend the Slippery Rock game, so would you consider doing it grates as a favor to us? Let me know and the shots look great.


[Sports Information Director]


From: Ed Malone
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:37 PM
To: xxxxxx
Subject: RE: Football

Mr. xxxxxx,

Would like to know when will be a good time to discuss shooting the Slippery Rock game for your department. You can stop by my office or I can come to you. I’ve attached some images I shot from last season’s game against West Virginia State (I think) during less than favorable weather conditions for you to review.

V/R
SFC Ed Malone
Senior Military Instructor
Bowie State University

Ed,
The only thing I don't think you owed him is the explanation that you shoot for extra money to support your family. You handled it well in telling him that you shoot for monetary compensation. He had no right asking for gratis shoot when he just said their "regular photographer" can't make that particular game. Does the regular photographer get paid? Most likely yes so why can't they pay you? I had the same thing happen at an MMA event I shot - wanted the images from this event gratis and "perhaps" they will hire me to shoot the next fight card.

I do charity events gratis because I believe in giving back to my community, but this isn't charity.

Ed,

You handled this appropriately. As 'belle mentioned, the regular photog undoubtedly gets paid for this work, so expected you to work "grates" (sic) is inappropriate.

Personally, if they stated that it would be for free, I would have said no thank you and ended it there. I'm not sure bringing in family time professional though. But overall the exchange seems cordial enough to me.

I don't think you blew any opportunities here. SID person wanted free photos, you want to be paid for providing photos. I think it's understandable.

I think the SID blew having a good photographer cover his games since he expects Ed to shoot for free.

Tee Why wrote in post #3902494
Personally, if they stated that it would be for free, I would have said no thank you and ended it there. I'm not sure bringing in family time professional though. But overall the exchange seems cordial enough to me.

I don't think you blew any opportunities here. SID person wanted free photos, you want to be paid for providing photos. I think it's understandable.

I see what you mean. But I'm under the impression that they think I don't value my personal time outside of work. And once you do a favor for one department, word will spread and everybody will expect something for nothing. I just didn't want to come off as a dick.

And thanks for the reassurance guys. I'm still trying to learn the business.

Ed,

I think he left an opening in 2 things he said, "paying you" and may be an issue. It may have been worth exploring these

But I do agree, nothing for nothing when they will surely be making a few $$ from the work you would have done

forno wrote in post #3902729
Ed,

I think he left an opening in 2 things he said, "paying you" and "may be an issue". It may have been worth exploring these

But I do agree, nothing for nothing when they will surely be making a few $$ from the work you would have done

I see. But after my response to his request don't you think that maybe he could've responded with something along the lines of "I understand you don't work for free, so let me see if we can compensate you for your work." instead of "Enjoy your weekend.", which really sort of sounds to me like "F*ck off!".

Whenever people write the single sentence(such as his last sentence) you can tell he is mad that you won't shoot the game for free.

Lord_Malone wrote in post #3902773
I see. But after my response to his request don't you think that maybe he could've responded with something along the lines of "I understand you don't work for free, so let me see if we can compensate you for your work." instead of "Enjoy your weekend.", which really sort of sounds to me like "F*ck off!".

Could be, either way you did the right thing declining unpaid work

Exactly! You did good.

Lord M ....It really depends on what life stage one is in. If one was a newbie, trying to break in and impress, than we all did a lot of gratis work!!! It is the only way to get your name out there. If one is as established as you ( extremely well qualified) than my thoughts are you don't work for free. Time with my family has no dollar amount figure....but it sure means something!! It was unreasonable for him to ask you in such a fashion. To be paid what the regular photog makes is most reasonable.

P.S. Offer to work for a Mark III and a 300 2.8 (....doesn't anyone realize that equipment cost money!!)

I would not assume that their regular tog gets paid, you don't know he might do it for free and that's why there is a problem paying you. You did fine Ed, I wouldn't have done it for free either.

Sledhed wrote in post #3903409
I would not assume that their regular tog gets paid, you don't know he might do it for free and that's why there is a problem paying you. You did fine Ed, I wouldn't have done it for free either.

No, their regular shooter does get paid. He doesn't work for the university, but for himself.

Someone needs to cram their size "insert shoesize here" up that SID's behind! If they department is going to pay a photographer anyway, why not pay you? Not your fault the regular is not going to be in town.