[ush flynn]

Hi all, wondered if some of your could give me your opinions on what you would do if this was you.

My mother works for a residential place for people with learning difficulties, and is therefore a charity. Although the staff are paid a salary. And some a fairly hefty salary.

My gf has recently started working there with her in the admin department to get a bit of experience behind her.

Both being pretty handy with a camera. She was asked to come to a Golf day to take photos of the participants. As i understand it this golf day is a fund raiser event and the participants are able to buy photos of they want (im not 100% clear on the details yet)
My gf works there tuesday, wednesday and thursday and somewhere else monday and friday. This golf day happens to fall on a monday. So she has said yes to taking the photos and taken the day off from her other job. Now not being 100% confident with her camera and her style she has asked me to go with her. I have agreed and taken a days holiday from my own job.
The issue comes with this. The event is for the golfers, to raise money for the place. Should WE (ie myself and my girlfriend) be out of pocket after accepting to take the photos, Half will be digital, half will be transparancies (my choice) I can get the processing done fairly cheaply. But should i be putting up the cash? I will also no doubt be lumbered with the post processing job on a good couple of hundred photos. Should my time be free for someone elses profit?

Do we ask for payment for the day (she could claim overtime... but what about me? They do know im coming and they know its mostly me doing the work) or do we hold back the photos and ask for a cut on each print sold. I mean... I can see into the future here. They will take the p*ss and ask me to print them too. So its my film, Our time, my skills, Our money (my money) for printing and developing.
If they had hired another photographer im sure they would have paid a fair bit. But i think they think they can do things on the cheap.
What do you think we should do? (sorry this is all a bit long winded)

Only you can decide.

Personally, every good turn I have done has come back to me twice over.

Its true, it's better to give than receive..

[eviljohn2]

I don't know what the right answer is for you (I guess it depends how charitable you're feeling) but I would definitely recommend sorting out exactly what's going on before the event so that all parties know what to expect.

[GW43]

Ask Cherie Bliar - she's pretty good at getting money from charities.

[ush flynn]

aye, i dont mind doing favours. But im giving up a days holiday, the weekend i could do no probs. But this along with the money ill have to pay for film, developing and printing along with the hours of work to put in. Should i be going this far out of my way for nothing in return?

[ush flynn]

Originally Posted by GW43

Ask Cherie Bliar - she's pretty good at getting money from charities.

now thats a plan!!

[eviljohn2]

Originally Posted by ush flynn

Should i be going this far out of my way for nothing in return?

Isn't that what charity's about? Some people like going out of their way for the warm gooey feeling inside, others won't get out of bed without cash up front.

I would probably see about getting expenses back (ie. cost of film/developing etc) and sort out copyright of the pictures beforehand. Taking time off to help was your own choice though. Others might just be looking for a couple of free beers at lunchtime etc.

[shodan]

Well it IS all for charity! Although, call me cynical but i'd be surprised if someone somewhere wasn't making money out of it...

[ush flynn]

i have no doubts that someone somewhere is making money out of it. This Charity event is to raise money, and i think more in the line of sponsorship or support from other businesses. Its not just a public event like i had thought of at first. No doubt if they get hold of some photos they will get sold on or used to promote someone somewhere, as far as im concerned then as a photographer i should be getting some of that money. Dont want to look greedy, i dont want to MAKE money here. but it would be nice to break even wouldnt it?!

[Jenn]

If it was me I'd take the photos for free but ask to be paid for your expenses such as films, developping, CDs (if they're digital) etc.

Then if you feel like making it a business give your contact details with the photos to whoever buys them (stickers on CDs) and you might have businesses asking for your services.

[pjclark1]

Originally Posted by Jenn

If it was me I'd take the photos for free but ask to be paid for your expenses such as films, developping, CDs (if they're digital) etc.

Me too.

[ush flynn]

yeah to be honest just covering my costs is all i want! extra business will come if its coming but its not a priority. Im losing a days holiday here, my gf is losing a days pay and as far as i can see, they seem to be expecting developing, printing, editing, cd burning to come out of my pocket too.
The problem was the fact they are a charity... i fell rotten for having to ask about it!

[pave]

Tough one..perhaps you could include some sort of advertising..business cards to each package ,and ..if on cd ....some sort of label

[ush flynn]

Pave, Thats a good idea, no doubt ill be chatting to these people trying to build up some rapport so they dont keep posing for photos and such. Then if i need to send out photos i can print on them printable CD's make it look sweet. Thanks man!

[pave]

Enjoy the day

[klr10]

Originally Posted by pave

Enjoy the day

life's far too short

[pave]

Originally Posted by klr10

life's far too short

Nope...depends what do you with it

[ush flynn]

For anyone who is interested. The golf day went without a hitch. Quite annoyed at the fact they had arranged for another photographer to be there although my equipment and photos destroyed hers. And the local newspaper people showed up late and couldnt get any group photos (which i had already taken) Then left early too. I could have done with a longer lens, i didnt like being so close to them and firing the shutter as they swung but a they seemed ok with it. Im waiting for the slides to come back, i believe they are where the best shots are. I used the 20d for the group shots and higher FPS. The Fe2 i used for the semi-arty shots but ill have to wait and see. All in all im not happy with the photos ive taken. Ive decided i dont like the 20d. The LCD is crap, makes you think all your photos are too dark, so i increased exposure, then photos look fine on lcd screen but way too light on PC or HDTV....I can fix them all up but it means extra work. Also if anyone is thinking about it, the Sigma 28-200 lens... i dont recommend it, but thouroughly recommed the sigma 24-70 f2.8.

I didnt get paid, none of the people expressed any interest in having prints of the photos i took of them, they came onto my girlfriend, being middle aged golfers with all thier mates they really thought they were something. Some of the ones i noted as being particuarly over-friendly with her i made a point of laughing out loud at thier rubbish golf swings. One of these people challenged me on the driving range where i proceeded to out drive him consistently after making out that id never held a golf club before (i had ... once)
Got given a free lunch and a couple of drinks. To be honest, the fact that the whole day was put on for free for the charity i couldnt ask for anything. I know the other photographer didnt get paid either. Ho hum, at least i got some practise in... sports photography never was my thing

[Ultima]

Originally Posted by ush flynn

although my equipment and photos destroyed hers.

Good on you mate

[tomson]

Originally Posted by ush flynn

Ive decided i dont like the 20d. The LCD is crap, makes you think all your photos are too dark,

That's where the histogram comes in handy.

[JagoPlasma]

oh dear, you fell into the charity trap. I for one will never donate to a charity ever again after working for one.

trust me, charities are in it for themselves. they get all sorts of donations in and manipulate it for themselves. how else do you think the MD and his PA have flashy sports cars?

If people really knew what went on behind charity doors they would be out of business overnight.

If a charity gets an annual 10K funding from a business or other old git looking for redemption they will do their damned hardest to spend every last penny of it on any junk they can to make sure they get another 10K next year. because if they only spend 5K then next year that is all they will get!

and dont even get me started on the RSPCA... they make me sick too

[klr10]

Originally Posted by ush flynn

For anyone who is interested. The golf day went without a hitch. Quite annoyed at the fact they had arranged for another photographer to be there although my equipment and photos destroyed hers. And the local newspaper people showed up late and couldnt get any group photos (which i had already taken) Then left early too. I could have done with a longer lens, i didnt like being so close to them and firing the shutter as they swung but a they seemed ok with it. Im waiting for the slides to come back, i believe they are where the best shots are. I used the 20d for the group shots and higher FPS. The Fe2 i used for the semi-arty shots but ill have to wait and see. All in all im not happy with the photos ive taken. Ive decided i dont like the 20d. The LCD is crap, makes you think all your photos are too dark, so i increased exposure, then photos look fine on lcd screen but way too light on PC or HDTV....I can fix them all up but it means extra work. Also if anyone is thinking about it, the Sigma 28-200 lens... i dont recommend it, but thouroughly recommed the sigma 24-70 f2.8.

I didnt get paid, none of the people expressed any interest in having prints of the photos i took of them, they came onto my girlfriend, being middle aged golfers with all thier mates they really thought they were something. Some of the ones i noted as being particuarly over-friendly with her i made a point of laughing out loud at thier rubbish golf swings. One of these people challenged me on the driving range where i proceeded to out drive him consistently after making out that id never held a golf club before (i had ... once)
Got given a free lunch and a couple of drinks. To be honest, the fact that the whole day was put on for free for the charity i couldnt ask for anything. I know the other photographer didnt get paid either. Ho hum, at least i got some practise in... sports photography never was my thing

Don't worry fella, they will eventually be made to realise their shortcomings. God moves in mysterious ways, this life is full of good and foolish people, the trick (you already appear to have learned) is to filter what's important from what's an educational experience.... stay cool

[ush flynn]

Originally Posted by klr10

Don't worry fella, they will eventually be made to realise their shortcomings. God moves in mysterious ways, this life is full of good and foolish people, the trick (you already appear to have learned) is to filter what's important from what's an educational experience.... stay cool

Thanks man, true i did get some more experience in a field that ive hardly done anything in before. I havent released any photos yet might wait and see if the newspaper team ask for anything! i wont feel guilty about squeezing a few pennies out of them.

Nice Camcorder by the way, Flourite lens.mmmmmm