Petty Moral Dilema

[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