What do you think?

Let me first say, I'm not a pro! In December I purchased my first DSLR camera and over the months, my pictures have been getting better (at least thats what I think). With the help of many photographers I've taken their advice and used them to my advantage. I purchased my background kit, beginner lights (nothing fancy until I practice more), more lenses, etc.

Here's my question. I currently get paid by one promoter to take pictures at his teen events. Its nothing spectacular and I put my name with his logo and with that, my name has gotten out even more than what it was. Eventually he knows I'll either ask for more money or leave once I finish up with school (starting school for photography).

If I do events or private shoots, do you feel I should charge for them to use the pictures for their own sites or promotions? If so, how much do you feel is appropriate to charge considering I'm not a pro? Or does it even matter if I am one or not?

My wife says that if they're coming to me for pictures, then that must mean they like my work. So I should charge them. I can see where she's coming from but she's not a photographer. She just see's the money aspect of it. So I'm opening up my ears (I mean eyes) to see what others have to say.

If I'm going to be really serious about things, I believe I need to learn as much as I can.

Listen to your wife. (Which is always good advice, isn't it?)

Sticky: How much Do I Charge? One of the most often asked questions

Photography Rates

Decent shooters giving it away...

If you have already put money into lights and a background etc and people are coming to you asking you to shoot things for them, by all means..take the money. If you feel that due to lack of experience maybe your images may not be on par with another photographers for those type of pictures, charge a "beginners rate" that just covers expenses and a tiny bit of profit.

With time and practice and learning from mistakes you'll get even better.

And listen to your wife. That always helps too.

Thanks for the info an links. I'll bow my head down and listen to the wife. Its hard to admit that the wife is right..sometimes, lol.

I can deal with a small fee. Its not like they don't have any idea what I'm capable of, because if they didn't know, then its obvious that they wouldn't come to me for pictures.

But thanks again, I'm going to read through those links to see what I can learn. I'm just eager to learn so I can one day have that title of a professional.