Advice from you pro's

I was recently approached by a company to shoot some local events, I have shot for this company before only they were part of a team then and it wasn't their money they were spending.

Anyways, I was asked to shoot 3 events, not more then 3-4 hours at each event. He wanted prices for the event so I gave him the prices (which was basically the same as the other job because of the hours 3-4 hour shoots). He comes back to me a few days later and say's they can't afford me now, loves me work, but just can't afford me. So I say ok, just remember you get what you pay for and end it there.

A week or so later they run into me while I'm out eating and give me this; we'll let you come into our event and setup and sell your photography for free of charge, but you have to shoot the even for us and give us the pictures to use at will. I said I would have to respectivley decline but I thanked them for coming back to me.

So was I wrong? Should I have took the "free" space and tried to sell some photo's?

**On a side note, I was told today, the first day of the first event that people were complaining about having to pay $8 to get in, another $5 to get 9 wings, and stand in line to pay another amount to go to another location to get beer.

Not sure exactly what type of event(s) you would have been shooting, but all in all, I'd say you made a wise choice.

I made the mistake once of agreeing to shoot some team pictures at a charity event on spec. That meant that I'd set up and shoot any teams that wanted shots. What I didn't know was that the teams were picked that day and had no meaning to the members. So only a couple of teams wanted shots. That was probably worse than having NO clients that day at all.

Anyway it taught me a lesson. A couple of years ago I got a June phone call from a high school senior. With gum chewing evident she told me that her prom was the next day and that they would like to have a photographer present. I told her that I'd be happy to photograph the attendees but that I had a $1500 minimum. Every $14 package that I sold would come out of that minimum. I suspect that she then swallowed her gum, and of course I never heard from her again.

I saw no reason to run off to this prom with delusions of $ in my head. There was no advertising so many kids would show up without the money to pay. I had no forms made up nor had I given delivery any thought. With a dye-sub printer delivery is quite simple and virtually instant, but you'd also need an assistant. With a couple of weeks lead time a prom may well be a money maker but not this way.

In any case I avoid other people's invitation to have an "opportunity" to make money, either by contacts made or future gigs. From my perspective neither pans out, and I want to make money at every gig I do.

I know it's hard to decide since it's for you, but from my point of view it's easy choice. You charge them $x for shooting their even. Now they give you space and you can sell photos for $y each. You think there will be enough people buying your photos to get $x or even more? If yes then sure take it. If no then I guess answer is clear too.
I know it's a bit easier for me to say like this. If I would be there instead of you I would be wondering same thing and trying to find someone to decide for me. It's easier to blame someone else for mistake then yourself, so yes I know how you feel.
Another thing... if they couldn't afford you before and they were happy to get another one which would be cheaper and of course a lot better, why do you think they came back to you with this offer? One chance is they didn't find anyone, another is that they found someone but not even half as good as you. So in both cases you are in advantage. They wouldn't come back to you if everything would be fine with your "replacement".

Thanks guys, today the second part of the event was cancelled due to rain so it wouldn't have been worth my time and they would have gotten bascially something for nothing. I'm glad I made the right choice.