Dilemma... Should I charge?

[Fen]

On Friday I'm going to be taking some photos for a friend at an event as a favour (and dinner).

I'm trying to get more event work so this is a good opportunity for me to add some more images to my portfolio.

But... I've just had the event organiser contact me to see if I want to photograph the whole event for them.

It could be a foot in the door as the organiser holds a lot of events trough the year. Problem is, if I don't charge then they might expect photos for nothing in the future and if I do charge I might not get any more work from them or they may even say that they weren't expecting to pay anyone for this event and withdraw the invite for covering this Friday.

Bit of a dilemma...

Should I charge? If so, what should I charge?

[MickLL]

Yes you should charge - enough at least to cover your costs. IMHO you should make it clear that it would be a one off and you would need commercial rates for any future work.

I find it surprisingly easy to be a busy fool by not charging and SWMBO is the worst in the world for getting me into pro bono work.

MickLL

[TheFatControlleR]

Perhaps no charge for your presence/time/work at the event (on the understanding it isn't always thus), etc., but charge for any licenced use of images and/or prints.

[ermintrude]

What venue is it fen?

[Fen]

What venue is it Fen?

Don't want to mention the name, the AP site comes very high on google and any reference may lead back to me.

PM me...

[Fen]

Perhaps no charge for your presence/time/work at the event (on the understanding it isn't always thus), etc., but charge for any licensed use of images and/or prints.

That's a good idea...

[Nod]

Perhaps no charge for your presence/time/work at the event (on the understanding it isn't always thus), etc., but charge for any licensed use of images and/or prints.

That's a good idea...

Plus expenses, maybe?

[Smudger79]

You could actually charge them, but at a "cut rate".
Explain to the Venue Manager that you are hoping to get more work like this and as such will be happy to give them a "discounted" rate as you want the shots anyway for your portfolio. The venue manager should be happy at getting a discounted photographer and you still get paid.

Good luck wth it all.

Perhaps no charge for your presence/time/work at the event (on the understanding it isn't always thus), etc., but charge for any licensed use of images and/or prints.

That's a good idea...

Plus expenses, maybe?

[Matt_Hunt]

Fen,

I am in a similar situation this weekend where I was asked to photographer for a theatrical performance (having initially been proposed as photogrrapher of a friend's friend in costume). Since I am going to be there for the whole performance now I am going to set up a stand, brolly and offer to take portraits of the performers (many of whom are from overseas) and charge for the prints.

[OneTen]

Fen,

I am in a similar situation this weekend where I was asked to photographer for a theatrical performance (having initially been proposed as photogrrapher of a friend's friend in costume). Since I am going to be there for the whole performance now I am going to set up a stand, brolly and offer to take portraits of the performers (many of whom are from overseas) and charge for the prints.

I used to do this with am-dram groups and it was very lucrative.