Some Advice Needed!

Alright, I posted here a few days ago referring to this same shoot. But, I need some more advice!
A few weeks ago I was approached by a girl who goes to my church, and she asked if I could photograph her piano classes recital. I agreed, and she wanted to think about it after looking through my portfolio, and my price. She told me she would let me know by Friday (last week) and on Monday, I had never heard from her, so I sent a reminder, and she got back right away saying; "Hey! Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. After going through your photos, they seem very elegant, and this recital isn't going to be anything fancy\elegent, so I decided not to have a photographer. But for our Christmas recital I will definitely hire you to photograph the occasion. Anyway, sorry for any inconvenience!"
So my question is.... Should I ask to photograph this up comming recital just to gain some experience for the Christmas recital, and just for some more portfolio photos? If yes, do you think I could sell the photos to the parents, or would that not be right? I would just give out b-cards, and if they ask me to see the photos I can show them, and if they want prints, they can buy prints...

What would you do?? The girl wanted me to take photos for her website, and to give to each of the kids\parents. So by me selling the photos, and not charging her, would I be in some sort of bad position??

Any and all advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Just noticed this was not posted in the business section, sorry!
If a mod is reading this, can you move this thread to ther business section? Thanks

A lot of us shoot school sports and don't charge. Some schools actually want a kickback!The only income is from print sales and other related things. I don't think it will put you in a bad position. You can always tell her that if she signs a contract for the Christmas recital that you will include this one at no additonal charge except for prints. It will also get your name out and if you never did that type of photography before, I'd do it.

Your friend might be a little confused if you ask her to pay for your services and then offer to do the job for free. I do like the idea of just selling the prints as it might be the upfront cost that scared her off, so just offer her some other options such as covering the event with the intent of selling prints to the families, and then if she likes any of your work she can still purchase them for her web page.
Just carefully consider if you will be able to charge her to cover the events in the future if you do this one for free.

Ask if you can still shoot the recital, let her know up front that the images will be for sale. But don't be suprised if there is another shooter there that is cheaper...

Generally these types of shoots take way too much time and benefit you very little financially. Mom and Dad want to take the shots anyway.

As you guys have pointed out, you may be a bit confused about the situation.
I told her $150 for 2 hours coverage, and she gets all edited photos, high res, on CD (she cant sell the photos, or give out more then 2 of each kid). She turned me down for the reasons above. So now, I am thinking of doing it for free, but giving the parents my card to buy\see the photos, and then if she really wants some I will sell her some for use on her site.

Sorry My young friend I understood perfectly, what I an saying that in my expereince she
probably has a volunteer to do it for free - period.

The freebie is not going to get you any further work - trust me in 32 years of shooting I have had that promise a gazillion times and it never shows up.

If you want to shoot it for the expeience I see no harm in that, but i would not expect any cash coming your way, I would hope that I am wrong but my spidey sense tells me that you are on the short end of the stick. The carrot here is basicly this - you attempt to get paid for this gig, she sees that you want more than 20 bux, so she waits for you volunteer which you are close to doing. Then she throws you the old " Big Job coming up" thing. You being a nice young noob say sure, only in Dec the 'Big gig" never shows up...

That hook has been in my mouth more times than I can count. I have had it from magazines, wedding parents, and even a few family members. Don't fall for it.

If you want to shoot for MONEY then do so. Always get paid no freebies for anyone. I rarely pays off.