Classifieds: Services Needed - Sloppy Craigslist?

I enjoy all of the aspects of POTN and it's members but with the addidtion of the "Services Needed" section I am seeing more and more of this.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=457518

Most of the threads in that section are sincerely looking for someone to shoot something. But there seem to be more and more people coming to this professional forum and looking for the Craigslist mentality of wedding photography.

I am sure everyone as seen this over and over.

"Wanted, professional wedding photographer or student to take pictures of our wedding day. No budget. Needed from 8am to midnight and some photos at the airport when we leave for our 2 month around the world honeymoon. No pay but you can use for your portfolio and we want all photos on a cd so we can print them. Must have high end professional equipment and lighting."

I am afraid that people will start looking at POTN as the next Beg-A-Thon for free wedding shooters.

I raise this issue with past threads in mind talking about how the $500 wedding photographer is not our competition, 2 very different clientele. Yet we are now starting to see these types of inquiries in the "Services" section.

I may be off base, drunk, or a MENSA candidate. You be the judge.

You are right but people tend to get what they pay for (there are exceptions in both directions). Just don't look. You probably don't want to work for them anyway

That is exactly why you are seeing people post these here rather than Craigs list. They have heard way to many horror stories about $400 wedding photographers from people who got royally screwed. Now they think they will find someone who actually knows what they are doing by going to a photography site. But still only pay $350!!!

eddarr wrote in post #5042487
That is exactly why you are seeing people post these here rather than Craigs list. They have heard way to many horror stories about $400 wedding photographers from people who got royally screwed. Now they think they will find someone who actually knows what they are doing by going to a photography site. But still only pay $350!!!

Good observation.

There is just no way to get great photos from someone willing to do it for $400. In fact, in the Los Angeles area, you're lucky to find someone great for $4000.

debaire wrote in post #5045706
There is just no way to get great photos from someone willing to do it for $400. In fact, in the Los Angeles area, you're lucky to find someone great for $4000.

Well as my friends dad who sells cars always says, "There is an a$$ for every seat". It just depends on the quality of your backside.

kona77 wrote in post #5045997
"There is an a$$ for every seat".

I gotta remember that!

I do think there are some people out there that would look at it as a paid day of practice photography, using real subjects.

I think as long as the couple knows the first 20 shots may be of the dark side of the lens cap and the rest may not give anthing better than a 4x6 then so be it. They should pay regardless and not expect too much (8 hrs, etc.)

I've thought of volunteering for events with vets, hospitals, etc. just so I can practice and give my wife and kids a break (they run now when they see the camera).

jseivert wrote in post #5046252
I gotta remember that!

I do think there are some people out there that would look at it as a paid day of practice photography, using real subjects.

I think as long as the couple knows the first 20 shots may be of the dark side of the lens cap and the rest may not give anthing better than a 4x6 then so be it. They should pay regardless and not expect too much (8 hrs, etc.)

I've thought of volunteering for events with vets, hospitals, etc. just so I can practice and give my wife and kids a break (they run now when they see the camera).

I have no problem when people want to learn and practice but when people post actually looking for others to work for free or minimal pay is an insult to the profession.

I do not want to see this great forum turn into a flea market of event photography.

kona77 wrote in post #5046368
when people post actually looking for others to work for free or minimal pay is an insult to the profession.

I do not want to see this great forum turn into a flea market of event photography.

100% agreed!

kona77 wrote in post #5046368
I have no problem when people want to learn and practice but when people post actually looking for others to work for free or minimal pay is an insult to the profession.

I do not want to see this great forum turn into a flea market of event photography.

You cannot be insulted without your permission, one must choose to be insulted.

I refuse to allow someone to have that sort of power over me. Nothing they say changes who I am.

Interesting viewpoint kona77. The first thing that came to my mind was to start up a group thing called "The Alliance of Great Photographers", where we blackmail any person who does weddings for cheap!(*Arrested Development Joke)

All joking aside, there's not much to do. Just sit back and know they're going to basically get what they pay for. Then move on and become a better photographer.

Skip Souza wrote in post #5046447
You cannot be insulted without your permission, one must choose to be insulted.

I refuse to allow someone to have that sort of power over me. Nothing they say changes who I am.

Excellent viewpoint and I need to remind myself that more and more. But I do not agree 100% with your first comment, someone can insult me and I did not choose it. How I choose to deal with it is within my power.

Remember, if you wrestle with a pig you both get dirty and the pig likes it.

kevin92285 wrote in post #5046460
Interesting viewpoint kona77. The first thing that came to my mind was to start up a group thing called "The Alliance of Great Photographers", where we blackmail any person who does weddings for cheap!(*Arrested Development Joke)

All joking aside, there's not much to do. Just sit back and know they're going to basically get what they pay for. Then move on and become a better photographer.

As stated earlier, my annoyance is not with someone who gives a cut rate price, it is with the gaul of people who want your talent and equipment for so little because that is how they see you, little.

kona77 wrote in post #5046524
As stated earlier, my annoyance is not with someone who gives a cut rate price, it is with the gaul of people who want your talent and equipment for so little because that is how they see you, little.

Again, there's not much you can do. There will always be those kind of people out there. Just forget about them and keep on taking those awesome pictures.

kona77 wrote in post #5046508
Excellent viewpoint and I need to remind myself that more and more. But I do not agree 100% with your first comment, someone can insult me and I did not choose it. How I choose to deal with it is within my power.

Remember, if you wrestle with a pig you both get dirty and the pig likes it.

Is that like trying to teach a pig to play the violin? It is a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

What I mean is that I can choose whether or not to be insulted and even if I choose to be insulted any response is my responsibility. "They made me do it," is hollow and weak.

I really like your wrestling with a pig analogy