Do You Guys Actually Charge Your Friends?

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...

By family i meant Cousins i hardly know etc Some but very few friends get free stuff. Some friends will also get discounts on prints (sometimes as low as at cost)

Parents would be free if they wanted anything done. My mum has only taken me to about 10 of my shoots i do alot of my location portraits in my local park 200m down the road so i simply walk and they meet me there for the shoot.

When you talk about covering your expenses, does that include kicking in to wards the $25,000 of equipment you have?

I've found one thing, nobody appreciates FREE pictures. They take them, then they go and pay someone else to retake them. A case in point, I shot some baby pics for a friend for free. I never saw the ones I gave her again. However a week later she took the kid to a local pro who charged her $400 for some nasty looking poorly composed and exposed pics. Which she loves....

No more baby pics, etc.

Mark H
PS: No more freebies either

elysium wrote in post #5591612
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.

Exactly my thoughts. Some of my friends favorite photos of their children, I shot. They also know that if they ask me to do portraits or something "official" that someone is going to be putting some sweat equity in building my new deck

I did brothers wedding two years ago this week. He called to say Thank yesterday - again. It was nice to hear. So sometimes it doespay off..

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.

What on earth does this mean? Older people don't make close friends?

LBaldwin wrote in post #5592490
I did brothers wedding two years ago this week. He called to say Thank yesterday - again. It was nice to hear. So sometimes it doespay off..

Yup, i just shot 2 college grad parts, still getting better but everyone was amazed how good they turned out. One party was for a older brother so i had prints made up and handed them out later on.

The best part of the day was when people ask where he had these shot, i just pointed out the door to the backyard and show them my camera

I do get what you pros are saying, i myself turn wrenches daily currently and when it turns 5:00 i want to think of anything but working on cars. I do get volunteered to work on cars but only close family and usually we barter, nothing big but makes it worth the busted knuckles and me using my expensive tools.

A friend would invite you to the party and enjoy seeing you. If they wanted pictures, they would call and book you for the party. If they ask you to bring a camera then they don't really see you as a friend but a convenient acquaintance.

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.

After reading this and thinking about why anyone would make such a comment?? Guess what? 95% of all my photog friends are at least twice my age = 46+

Now on to what the OP asked

I do not make a living at photography but I do quite often shoot special occassions i.e. weddings, receptions, events etc. etc. and I have a set price just as high as the Pros in the area. If a friend or relative asks me to be the "photographer" at ANY venue they get 25% off across the board, no more no less. It's a take it or leave mind set I have as I will not go to all the time & effort for nothing. No, I don't barter either as that gets too time consuming & complicated for me However, if I attend any function as a guest and happen to take some shots (which I call happy snappys) I give them freely.

As a friend, I have offered to shoot a wedding (for free) when i know the budget is too tight for the B&G to hire a photographer.

I have never had a friend ask that didn't offer payment. However, when all was said and done, I refused the payment.

AZgal wrote in post #5593149
After reading this and thinking about why anyone would make such a comment?? Guess what? 95% of all my photog friends are at least twice my age = 46+

Yes, I don't know what he was on about either!

bildeb0rg wrote in post #5591952
"Fiends" carry a similar status, as the few I have are worth a lot t o me.

Classic

I never charge my friends if its something for them personally. If its for their business, I'd give them a break, since they would be making money either directly or indirectly, so thats only fair.

"Mates Rates". I'd still charge them but not as much as normal clients.

In addition, family expects more from you. If you mess it up, you can bet you're going to get a smaller plate at the next Thanksgiving table, lol.

I don't do family weddings, and my family knows that. I prefer to go as a family member and enjoy myself (I'll still bring a few bits of my kit with me in case the photog never shows up), especially if they have an open bar.