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04/11/2013 03:02:39 PM · #1 |
It's when your own family members expect you to do photos for them for free... Especially when they KNOW you're a broke college kid...
It's so frustrating!
"But you're the family photographer!"
How do I tell these people that only talk to me when they need photos that I refuse to do the photos for free? Because I have told them I can't anymore, yet they still come to me wanting free photos... Any witty ways I can tell them to go away with those requests once and for all? Anything I can send them to make them realize that doing photos for free isn't something any photographer is wanting to do?
Thanks. :)
P.s. - I've already got away with telling them no this time and they've left me alone but this isn't the first time they have asked and I've turned them down... So this is mainly just me wanting to let them know not to ever ask again. Keep in mind, this is family and I am required to be nice to them. Lol. |
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04/11/2013 03:05:05 PM · #2 |
Perhaps you can ask them to trade services of equivalent value within their own area of expertise?
BTW, I have a similar issue. I've been getting requests from people. I often don't mind, especially if it is for cycling advocacy. One friend asked me to photograph his proposal recently, and has also asked me to do his engagement pics, which I agreed to. I've told him he needs to get a pro for the wedding however. It takes skills which I don't have and I also want to be able to enjoy his wedding, not work through the whole thing.
Oh, he also wanted me to take two photos of him and his fiance on the beach and move the bare feet and boots on the sand from one shot into the other that had them on his feet. Somehow I managed to actually do it in a reasonably convincing manner so now he thinks I can do anything with photos and it just takes a button press.
The first edit I sent him had Godzilla coming out of the ocean behind them.
Message edited by author 2013-04-11 15:11:10.
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04/11/2013 03:07:00 PM · #3 |
Just send them a list of your gear, and tell them to look up the costs. Explain that you've spent a ton of money on this gear, and it wears out or breaks sometimes.
There used to be a graphic that was nice someone posted of this, can't find it at the moment though...
..
Either that, or explain to them that you've taken a new artistic direction, and only take nude photographs now. |
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04/11/2013 03:08:05 PM · #4 |
"I need $XXX dollars to get y camera fixed."
$XXX = your fee.
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04/11/2013 03:08:16 PM · #5 |
No.
Tell them it it takes too much time. |
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04/11/2013 03:10:02 PM · #6 |
I find honesty is the best policy. I just tell them I'd rather get drunk and play Black Ops II.
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04/11/2013 03:11:47 PM · #7 |
Tell them you are planning on getting drunk and throwing up in the back of a police car..
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04/11/2013 03:14:37 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:
It's when your own family members expect you to do photos for them for free... Especially when they KNOW you're a broke college kid...
It's so frustrating!
"But you're the family photographer!"
How do I tell these people that only talk to me when they need photos that I refuse to do the photos for free? Because I have told them I can't anymore, yet they still come to me wanting free photos... Any witty ways I can tell them to go away with those requests once and for all? Anything I can send them to make them realize that doing photos for free isn't something any photographer is wanting to do?
Thanks. :)
P.s. - I've already got away with telling them no this time and they've left me alone but this isn't the first time they have asked and I've turned them down... So this is mainly just me wanting to let them know not to ever ask again. Keep in mind, this is family and I am required to be nice to them. Lol. |
This would probably be harder for you to do than for me, but say yes... Then take some of the worst shots you possibly can. Out of focus, drink heavily the night before so your hand shakes, be sure to get your thumb in half the shots, make sure background objects grow out of peoples heads, etc...
You'll be stuck doing it once, but I'll bet not twice :) |
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04/11/2013 03:30:28 PM · #9 |
| I retired from photography. |
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04/11/2013 05:06:08 PM · #10 |
There are worse things. At least you have a family. They see you as a student and so they don't take you as seriously.
But imagine worse things, what if you were the family ... orthodontist? or plumber- or god forbid... lawyer?
then you would be on the hook for more time and money than just snapping pictures... |
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04/11/2013 05:20:48 PM · #11 |
| Are you for real! Just do it! Why does everyone need to put a dollar value on things? Appreciate the time you have with your family........ I wished I did. |
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04/11/2013 05:49:40 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Stagolee:
Are you for real! Just do it! Why does everyone need to put a dollar value on things? Appreciate the time you have with your family........ I wished I did. |
Can't say that I agree with this line of logic.
Appreciation is a two way street, and if they are asking him to do for free, then it would seem that they are failing to appreciate him as a member of the family.
I have been asked to take photos and truth be told I have always refused, telling them that if it is worth keeping, then it is worth for them to ask someone who will guarantee their work.
Not much gained from taking photos that they might complain about, regardless of the fact that they paid nothing for them.
This, and lending money to family members are a definite No No in my books... remember, no good deed goes unpunished.
My two cents
Ray |
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04/11/2013 06:07:11 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by RayEthier:
Originally posted by Stagolee:
Are you for real! Just do it! Why does everyone need to put a dollar value on things? Appreciate the time you have with your family........ I wished I did. |
Can't say that I agree with this line of logic.
Appreciation is a two way street, and if they are asking him to do for free, then it would seem that they are failing to appreciate him as a member of the family.
I have been asked to take photos and truth be told I have always refused, telling them that if it is worth keeping, then it is worth for them to ask someone who will guarantee their work.
Not much gained from taking photos that they might complain about, regardless of the fact that they paid nothing for them.
This, and lending money to family members are a definite No No in my books... remember, no good deed goes unpunished.
My two cents
Ray |
Maybe I come from a different background but I would never ask or expect money from a family member for something I enjoy doing or for that matter for just helping out. You help family and friends because they are family and friends....no need to expect money!
When i had family around we all helped each other, whether it was moving house or whatever and at the end of the day whoever was on the receiving end of the goodwill supplied food and a few drinks out of courtesy.....I just can't understand a society that is so money driven!
Out of interest Ray when your family asked and you refused was it because you expected money and felt uncomfortable to ask or as you put it you couldn't guarantee the work? |
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04/11/2013 06:23:28 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Stagolee:
...Out of interest Ray when your family asked and you refused was it because you expected money and felt uncomfortable to ask or as you put it you couldn't guarantee the work? |
Definitely NOT because I expected money. I have seen too many instances where people's expectation were dashed and then the freebie photographer was taken to task for producing something that did not meet expectations.
I hope this clarifies my stance in this regard.
Have a great day,
Ray
PS: Just now noticed you are in Australia. Do send me a PM and I might give you a call next time I visit.
Message edited by author 2013-04-11 18:26:17. |
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