Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I was asked (as a family member / guest) to a baptism this past weekend, so I went along without my main camera, just with the G12. Took a few snaps but nothing special. Then, just before people started leaving, one of the grandmothers came to me and asked when I was going to start getting people together because she'd like some shots before she went!

Now I've no objection to taking photos -I guess most of us are in it for love - and I had done a couple of shoots for various family members before (wedding, new-born, people & dogs), but this took me by surprise. Long story short, we didn't do anything formal and no time was spent herding people! But it occurred to me that this is what it might be like being a doctor at a party!

Yeah, or a computer nerd... everywhere.

I had to just tell people I charge $200/hr so they would stop asking me to fix their computer.

As for photography, I do it for fun anyway, so any reasonable rate is OK with me. I shot an upcoming band's promo shots the other day for a hug, a beer and $20. I'm such a whore.

Since most people who ask me to fix their home computers work here, I can generally get away with saying that it's conflict of interest (though my boss told me otherwise ).

Expecting 'professional services' for nothing, family or otherwise, shows a total lack of respect.

I think there is a big difference between being asked to take a few photos near the end of event just to make a record and being asked to come to an event and "BTW bring you camera so we can have good photographs ...". In this day and age of ubiquitous digital cameras if you bring one to an event then don't be surprised if you are asked to use it.

+1. You brought a camera, help the old lady out.

I think the question about when he was going to start getting people together for shots is a bit telling of the actual situation.

But...... if they make it big, you'll have the rights to some really cool photo's

EXHIBIT A:

From: XXXX
Sent: July-17-12 10:37 AM
To: Synowiec_Bart
Subject:

Do you do special event photography

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: 2012, July, 17 11:06 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

nope

From: XXXX
Sent: July-17-12 11:26 AM
To: Synowiec_Bart
Subject: RE:

do u know someone who does like just for a bday party nothing big

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: 2012, July, 17 11:34 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

Yeah, but nothing in your budget. Whether it’s a bday party or a corporate event, the work is the same, no one will do it for under $100-200 an hour. I’m sure you can find someone on kijiji or craigslist but it’s a crap shoot, you are most likely throwing away your money. You need to find a friend who just got a DSLR and is aspiring to be a wedding photographer lol, they’ll do it for free.

Bart

From: XXXX
Sent: July-17-12 11:35 AM
To: Synowiec_Bart
Subject: RE:

lol i was hoping u had one of those friends. oki doki. i will figure it out.

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: 2012, July, 17 11:42 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

You were actually thinking I would shoot your birthday party for free?

From: XXXX
Sent: July-17-12 11:44 AM
To: Synowiec_Bart
Subject: RE:

no if u read below i said i was hoping u would have one of those friends. also its not my bday party )) hehe. dont worry about it! just wanted some info.

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: 2012, July, 17 11:47 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

I don’t ask you to come over to MY friends bday party and give motorboats for free do I?

From: XXXX
Sent: July-17-12 11:50 AM
To: Synowiec_Bart
Subject: RE:

i think you have and i didnt ask you for free either i wanted to know if you normally do those things and how much you/photographers in general charge for such things. u made the friend with a new camera joke and i commented on ur joke. anything else which needs explanation?

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: 2012, July, 17 11:53 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

YOU PHOTOGRAPHERS? We’re people too, you know! Let me guess, if I don’t agree to come shoot this party, I won’t be invited to it will I? That’s all I’m good for?

From: XXXX
Sent: July-17-12 12:10 PM
To: Synowiec_Bart
Subject: RE:

lol there was a / between you and photographers. ur killing me yes u can come to the party, i assumed XXXX was bringing you. thats how it usually goes.

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: July-17-12 1:14 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

I’ll be expecting a personal invitation, I don’t want to fight with you anymore

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: 2012, July, 17 1:21 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

Thanks, I’m not even in town that weekend, can we do it the weekend after?

From: XXXX
Sent: July-17-12 1:22 PM
To: Synowiec_Bart
Subject: RE:

nope.

From: Synowiec_Bart
Sent: 2012, July, 17 1:24 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:

Ok, if you do it the weekend after, I’ll bring my camera and take some pictures for free.

LOVE IT !!

I think you missed the point or maybe I phrased it confusingly. It wasn't a question of not wanting to help out. As a previous poster pointed out, the post was about the assumption that as I take photographs and as I was there, I would simply drop into that organising role. If someone says "bring your camera so we can have good photographs" for a major family event, I'm happy to do that. No payment, no hassle, just a gift from me to the family member.

Bart, I can only assume you have some nasty history with your "friend" b/c from your email conversation he sounds like he was asking innocently enough.

We get along pretty well actually. She's pretty used to my extreme sarcasm and she was pretty aware I was just trying to give her a hard time. She's dishes it out pretty regularly as well lol. I saw her on Friday night and remembering this thread I said "Sorry I didn't bring my camera along to document this occasion for you" and she laughed.