would you cover an whole day event for free?

Would u cover an important full day event for free, covering at your expenses


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nikonriana

Member
Jul 27, 2011
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Hi all, just curious about this topic.
Would you cover an full day or maybe two day event for your friend free?
It's an important event thou.
You've to travel far, wake up early and reach home late, cover your own transport fee, maybe meals too... would you still do that?
For a normal friend?
 

nikonriana said:
Hi all, just curious about this topic.
Would you cover an full day or maybe two day event for your friend free?
It's an important event thou.
You've to travel far, wake up early and reach home late, cover your own transport fee, maybe meals too... would you still do that?
For a normal friend?

What kind of event? If for charity, maybe, for anything else, no.
 

nikonriana said:
Hi all, just curious about this topic.
Would you cover an full day or maybe two day event for your friend free?
It's an important event thou.
You've to travel far, wake up early and reach home late, cover your own transport fee, maybe meals too... would you still do that?
For a normal friend?

Well.. It all voice down to 2 thing. It depend how normal is tis normal friend to u? Will u gain anything from tis event? Gain as in not $$... But exposure, experience n stuff like tat.
 

For starters, it'll be good experience. When you receive an 10h long assignment, you'll think back and say you've been through worse.
 

For charity, immediate family members and family celebrations. :cool:
 

Shot free for my daughter's childcare (they did not sell the photos for profit either).
Shot free for a couple of friend and relative's weddings.
But never done one for 'normal' friend, though I don't see why not, unless person is an acquaintance (then not really 'friend')

In the end, depends on how good you are with this friend and what you'd want to get out of the experience.
Eg.
Just get experience
Just feel happy shooting
Just spread the joy of your hobby to your friend
Get a portfolio...
etc..
 

It's actually for a political events... I'm nt an expert but definitely not a beginner..location is really far and the timing is very early...friend as in used to be classmate.
 

nikonriana said:
It's actually for a political events... I'm nt an expert but definitely not a beginner..location is really far and the timing is very early...friend as in used to be classmate.

If you are motivated to do it, then do it. But sounds like you are not.
 

Depends on what type of politics.

I shot politics-related activities since 2007 on both video and photo. Both for work & for fun, for myself & for various parties, both paid and un-paid.

I think getting to see the action (and hush, at times the truth) is the best part about political photography, for this reason there is no other type of photography that will make me wake-up early, pay for my own cab-fare, and accept zero-pay.

But do remember, always keep a neutral-stance and an open mind as a politics photographer.
 

Hi all, just curious about this topic.
Would you cover an full day or maybe two day event for your friend free?
It's an important event thou.
You've to travel far, wake up early and reach home late, cover your own transport fee, maybe meals too... would you still do that?
For a normal friend?

No, pay my rates. For normal friends, ask yourself, if you ask him for favor to be your photo assistant for one full day, wake early go home late, own expenses, will he be fair to you and repay or will he find excuse and siam? If you think he will siam, then he maybe just wanna make use of your hobby and capitalize on your friendship. Raise your rates 20% then give him a 20% discount

For close friends or relatives, no, say that day got bookings already, to avoid unseen trouble like acceding requests that crosses over your lines of professionalism, unexpected unhappiness with each other keep in the heart cannot voice out, etc etc. Pay me money, I also avoid. Use the time for normal clients.

My humble opinion.
 

It's actually for a political events... I'm nt an expert but definitely not a beginner..location is really far and the timing is very early...friend as in used to be classmate.

In this case depends on individual, I have no interest in being seen as a vendor/crew/supporter/member of any political parties, be it the ruling party or those otherwise.

And I will be very concerned on how they edit (whether make known to me or not) and use my work, unless I am shooting for neutral journalism.

So it's up to you.
 

no for me because that would be ONE INCONSIDERATE friend/relative

ESPECIALLY relatives ..... ANYTHING go wrong....... every time u meet these relatives, you will be reminded of it
 

No, pay my rates. For normal friends, ask yourself, if you ask him for favor to be your photo assistant for one full day, wake early go home late, own expenses, will he be fair to you and repay or will he find excuse and siam? If you think he will siam, then he maybe just wanna make use of your hobby and capitalize on your friendship. Raise your rates 20% then give him a 20% discount

For close friends or relatives, no, say that day got bookings already, to avoid unseen trouble like acceding requests that crosses over your lines of professionalism, unexpected unhappiness with each other keep in the heart cannot voice out, etc etc. Pay me money, I also avoid. Use the time for normal clients.

My humble opinion.

Hmm... perhaps you are being too practical here. To be honest, friends will always be friends and it doesn't mean that it is a sign of capitalising on friendship. For this case I will quote my friends my bare-minimum fee and throw in an extra goodie or slideshow for them. Sometimes friends also want to be assured you're not exploiting them through your job as a PG, so aim to make everyone (including yourself) satisfied and happy if possible.

If you not sure whether you can take the job up, just say that if you're free you'll attend the event as a guest + 2nd pg. This way your friends & family will think you are busy and won't be disappointed even if you don't make it.

And yes I agree with Ed on one thing; relatives can be a bigger problem than friends (most friends know some boundaries, if any).
 

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Sometimes friends also want to be assured you're not exploiting them through your job as a PG, so aim to make everyone (including yourself) satisfied and happy if possible.

By exploited, I guess you're talking about overcharging? Anyway, my two cents worth is that for a friend, I would do a reasonably big favour if he had a good reason for me to do so (last minute kena arrow/ his own event but have genuine budget constraints etc.). He must also want the photos for a good reason - personal or otherwise.

Once he has made the effort to explain these things to me, I will know whether or not to say yes. Knowing my friends though, if its a big effort required, they're not going to expect me to do it for free. They are reasonable people, you know.
 

Well.. it really have to depends my mood. (ususally ill say no.. why would i "create trouble" for myself)
However, it would be nice if he at least cover my transport and meals fee..
Another thing to note sometimes people do take people for granted less to mention if its just for a normal friend.. Pass.
 

Depends on the requirements, myusage and ownership of the photos. If it's a critical asset to my portfolio, I guess something can be worked out.
 

nope. i'll refer them to other people. i'm not so free as to go help out. besides... unless it's for a good cause e.g. charity, i won't wanna waste my time
 

if you don't like to shoot for free than just say no,

if you afraid you can't turn down some request by distant relatives or friends, very easy,

set up a website, put some very very arty farty photos in your portfolio, those photos even you put upsize down also nobody can't tell what is that type,
you say you accept commission work, at $1000.00 per hour, and you will shoot only when something intrigue your artistic vision.

so whenever people asking you to shoot for free, just refer them to you site to check out your work and send you a site mail.

I guarantee that will be the last time you will hear them making such request.