Do You Guys Actually Charge Your Friends?

I read the whole story of uncle Bob or w/e his name is, but I have to say I disagree w/ it. I understand the whole concept of photography as a business. I do major in commerce at school. What I'm asking is if a friend asked you to take pictures at his birthday would you actually charge them for pictures from his birthday? I would definitely tell them to cover any expenses I may have. A wedding is different since there's more work involved but birthdays are normally just casual and you don't have to get perfect shots. I'm not exactly sure how it is in other parts of the world but where I live, everyone here usually shares all their skills for free. If I needed help moving, fixing something in my car, needed something fixed that they could do, if my friends had the skills they would do it for free. In return I would usually give up my skills for free such as editing pictures for them or fixing some computer problems. In my world friendship is more important than money and I usually only do business with people outside of family and friends. So what are your thoughts on this? Do you and your friends actually charge for every skill you guys have? Or I'd assume you guys don't really make close friends with anyone since that's how people usually are when they're older.

A friend wouldnt ask ... if it really is a friend you offer what you can when you can.

ummm...really? Maybe young people say things without thinking?

rc13k wrote in post #5588511
Or I'd assume you guys don't really make close friends with anyone since that's how people usually are when they're older.

Wow...I would have to agree with eigga here

I've never had a friend that asked me to do their pictures without offering something in return, even if its just a token of appreciation. I have done lots of pictures for friends (engagement, wedding receptions etc.) and the least I have ever recieved was a decent size gift card for my local camera shop. First off, why invite you to something (such as a birthday or wedding) where you are supposed to be sharing in a celebration only to ask you to consume all your time while there with what is your job. If I was an accountant and a friend asked me to swing by for a birthday party they wouldn't ask me to do their taxes while I was there, now would they?

In my world, a friend would wait for you to offer your abilities rather than ask you to essentially work for them whilst all your other friends are socializing.

Sometimes I'll barter but I'll never just give. And if I do barter, it's on a personal level and not as a business. I not only spent good money on my equipment (think about wear & tear), I also spent good time learning how to use it and I'll spend even more time actually using it. And I don't mean just my camera...I mean my computer too. That's why I have to be offered something of value to put it to real use. If it's not cash it has to be something else. Otherwise I'll take my P&S to the party and create snapshots just like everybody else.

Just giving someone my time and efforts always results in problems. They either want more than expected, more down the road (ie free images all the time), or are never satisfied with what I provide. So you work your butt off to do something for a friend and they're nothing but problematic anyway. It creates stress that you weren't even compensated for enduring.

I often prefer to enjoy friend's and family events without "working," but that's what a close circle of friends and family is about though. I know if I need something, and I have a specialist friend, they are going to take care of me. I have done countless "favors" for family and and friends, and usually I just say the shooting is on me, any prints are at cost.

Often i've had people later send me gift certificates, or small payment, or other unexpected stuff, etc... I haven't asked, but they wanted to, so thats fine.

I'de rather a friend have good pictures and remember their special event than know that I am more than qualified and refused/did nothing when on the day of the event a photographer didn't show up, or all they have is some crappy P&S or disposable camera and they look around like uh..."oh no! how will we record this!" Real friends will appreciate this too. Besides, why else do we do this? Because we love to. Yes, we shoot pro as a business...sometimes using our abilities is even more rewarding in situations like these.

Then again, I have never had anyone complain about photos, or ask for more and more and more. I guess I am fortunate in that respect. Its always been last minute favors, and never someone calling and directly asking me to be their "official" photographer for free.

$75/Hour for everyone. $60/Hour for family and good friends.

If I were invited to a friends party, I would offer to take pictures for them, at no charge.
before they could ask me to. that's just the way I am. When I told a friend I was moving, he offered his garage and rooms in his house for us to store items until our house was built. I was surprised and grateful. It made me realize what "true" friends do for one another. BTW they never asked us for anything and it's been over 10 yrs. He is now on a waiting list for a new liver, I wish I could help him now.

I photograph the birthday parties of my best friend's children. I always do it because they are more than my best friends kids, they are more like my niece and nephew. I always give them a disk of images.

For others, it depends on the situation.

Friends don't ask friends for freebies when they know it's your profession. I think any deals I am the one offering and not them asking for it, sure they may want one but usually they know the answer before asking. So yea, you might hook some friends up, I know I sold two 8x10's to a buddy last year at half price and when giving them to him told him "if anyone asks you paid full for these" (just a small example). Problem is all of a sudden EVERYONE is your friend, everyone you shook hands with at the local pub is callin in favors. Real friends know it's a business and your time is valuable, sure in college I hooked up some people with freebies but things change out of school and it becomes your profession and time is an issue. You're always going to be able to hook up those that do stuff for you, for example a local guy I know orders every so often but not a lot $$ wise - however, he promotes the heck out of me so when he needed some prints last week he got a deal.

As for taking to friends events and such I don't take my equipment EVER. I hear "you should have brought your camera" a lot and it's annoying, it's my job and I dont see them carrying around a wrench or there briefcase from work when out at social events. When you do it day in and day out full time you want a break just like anyone else.

I don't work for friends or family. They don't give you the respect they give other professionals, and there's an expectation that it's free. Occasionally I offer to do things for free, but not on days that i'd otherwise have a wedding. A close friend's getting married, I said i'd photograph their wedding if it wasn't on a Saturday in summer.

Friends will never ask. I had a friends birthday that just went, not once did he mention for me to come an take pictures, I did it because I enjoy it and had a good night. Its my gift to them.

Now if it was anything else such as they wanted portraits done, yes I would charge. Why shouldn't I? The same amount of work in lighting or processing will be needed so why just cover expenses?

If they ask you to do something for free or expect it for free, then I would say you are at a loss.

NSWESP wrote in post #5589613
$75/Hour for everyone. $60/Hour for family and good friends.

Wow. Not even half price
I'm curious as to how much an hour your mum charged you for carrying you around for nine months, or how much she discounted the "x" hours in labour...

bildeb0rg wrote in post #5591886
Wow. Not even half price
I'm curious as to how much an hour your mum charged you for carrying you around for nine months, or how much she discounted the "x" hours in labour...

Friends and other family members don't give birth to each other. I believe pretty much every one of us would photograph anything our mothers asked of us at no charge. Same goes for dear ol' dad.

A TOUGH call for sure. I guess it depends on how good a friend they are. If you feel more like family than just buddies that would then probably be a freebie. Birthday party? No sweat. Wedding - could go either way, but I have shot them for free for both family and very close friends. The kind of friend that will come and see you in the hospital.

Friends help you move - REAL friends help you move - the bodies <vbg>
I had one paid professional photographer at my wedding, and over 30 photographer friends all who shot and many bought other gifts as well. And I in turn have shot for them for various events if called on. I have one friend that singlehandly financed my first ad campaign - I was broke at the time. I took nearly a year to payback, but I did it. I taught him quite alot about photography and he just got his first magazine cover. I couldn't be happier for him.

I have another very good friend that designed the logo for my wife's Tea business, no charge just a trade. He wants a tea for his daughter when she is old enough. So trades between friends are cool so long as you don't hose them and they don't hose you...
Can ya feel the love!!

cdifoto wrote in post #5591906
Friends and other family members don't give birth to each other. I believe pretty much every one of us would photograph anything our mothers asked of us at no charge. Same goes for dear ol' dad.

No mention of extended families in the original post, and as I'm from a small family, I automatically regard "family" to mean the ones yiou give your organs to.
"Fiends" carry a similar status, as the few I have are worth a lot t o me.