So you want to use my picture for free?

[KmH]

If you do $50 10x a day, that adds up to $500 a day, $2500 for a 5 day work week, or $125,000 a year if you take 2 weeks off for vacation and forego doing $50 10x a day during those 2 weeks.

 

[sm4him]

Times have changed. We can gripe or "reflect" all we want about how all sorts of different things are killing the photography business, but the FACT is, you either adapt with the times, or you sink.
Facts are facts, and one of those facts is that the internet and cell phone cameras have made it easier and cheaper for people to get photos for uses such as this. So, you can either let them use yours for $50, or you can decline and either someone else will get the $50 or they will simply steal something and hope they don't get caught (because, honestly? Hardly anyone does, not for little 100-invitation jobs like this)

I'd take the $50. ESPECIALLY considering, this is a photo the OP had already taken, not something they were paying him TO take. Plus, they came to him--so there was no effort on his part to do any marketing work to sell the photo.

But in this case, I'd durn sure have done as the OP did and insist on at least getting that. A wine event, really? And they want you to just give them your photo?
A fundraiser for kids with cancer? You bet I'd let them use it for free. Maybe a leukemia awareness event? Sure. Alzheimer's Support? Absolutely.
But a wine event. F*** you, pay me. Heck, at least give me some wine.

 

[TheUniverse]

I was going to list several things that $50.00 could do for me. But Adobe CC is perfect and fits the category.

I'm pretty sure none of those are in your list of gear.

 

[TheUniverse]

The biggest problem I see on this forum is that we are dealing with a lot of photographers who do not make a living from photography.

The gear is paid by some other, way more profitable job. So that not really getting paid for a photo is no big deal. Great for you people.

Not so great for the true photographers.

 

[tirediron]

The biggest problem I see on this forum is that we are dealing with a lot of photographers who do not make a living from photography.

The gear is paid by some other, way more profitable job. So that not really getting paid for a photo is no big deal. Great for you people.

Not so great for the true photographers.

Ehh? Whazzat? Wanna back up the bus a minute there Jack? "True" photographers? I'm not sure what a "true" photographer is to you, but to me it's someone who's very, very good at photography, and quite frankly of all the hobbyists and paid pros I know, the greater overall skill set is most definitely with the hobbyists. WHO cares how someone funds their gear or how much they charge for an image?

 

[nerwin]

That's not fair. Just because some of us don't make a living doing photography, doesn't make us fake photographers. I personally don't really want to do photography professionally, maybe its something I'll think about later but right now its just a hobby and I love it.

 

[sm4him]

The biggest problem I see on this forum is that we are dealing with a lot of photographers who do not make a living from photography.

The gear is paid by some other, way more profitable job. So that not really getting paid for a photo is no big deal. Great for you people.

Not so great for the true photographers.

I typed a very long, incredibly insightful, possibly emotional, response. Fortunately, I also followed my #1 rule of posting online--THINK before you post. So I deleted it all.

But I will say this:
First, I'm a bit confused as to whether you are one of these "true" photographers you mention. In another thread, you state "I'm working on my painting. From what I see here there is no way I will ever make money from photo." So, I'm not sure what to think.

Second, are you saying that to be a "true" photographer, I must not only charge, but I must charge an amount that is acceptable to...who, exactly? You? Other "true" photographers? Who is setting the standard here? Does what I charge have to pay for my gear? So, if I use a bridge camera, I can charge less and still be a "true" photographer?

And finally--and let's not lose sight of this--the guy wasn't even willing to PAY the paltry $50!! Why? BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO!! EVEN if he doesn't do something unethical, like using a photo without permission--he will most likely find someone with a photo who will be MORE than happy to just let him use it. And THAT is the competition the lower-end photographer faces these days. So, if you can manage to make $50 for a photo you already took, without any real effort on your part? Sorry but this chick is going to take that job All. Day. Long.

And I will NOT give up my "True Photographer" ID card because I let someone pay me $50 for a photo.

(Yes, believe it or not, the first response was far longer than this).

 

[JacaRanda]

I was going to list several things that $50.00 could do for me. But Adobe CC is perfect and fits the category.

I'm pretty sure none of those are in your list of gear.

I was thinking in terms of a sandwich for lunch, an auto carwash, laundry detergent, underwear, socks etc., but here are photography items:

OP/TECH USA Utility Strap - Sling
OP/TECH USA Pro Strap and Pro Loop Strap
Photovision 14" Pocket One Shot Digital Target DT14010 B&H
http://www.amazon.com/White-Flash-D...8&qid=1440013280&sr=8-1&keywords=565+diffuser
http://www.amazon.com/Translucent-P...1440013314&sr=8-2&keywords=speedlight+softbox
OP/TECH USA Sling Strap Adaptor Quick Adjust
http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-800...&qid=1440013647&sr=1-8&keywords=compact+flash
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extre...013782&sr=1-5&keywords=sd+cards+16gb+san+disk

Pictures available upon request.

 

[nerwin]

I bought a 32gb MicroSDHC class 10 card for my phone yesterday. Only cost $10.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I could find something to spend $50 on at the camera swap.

I don't think people should undervalue their work, but it's a challenge these days. I'd donate time and photos to a charitable cause, not for commercial or retail use.

If they want pictures for free they can take the photos themselves. And edit them. On their own dime and in their own time not mine.

 

[snowbear]

It seems to me that 30 years ago $50 wasn't worth getting out of bed for...

30 years ago, $50 was around half of a day's net pay for me.

 

[KmH]

Times have changed. We can gripe or "reflect" all we want about how all sorts of different things are killing the photography business, but the FACT is, you either adapt with the times, or you sink.

In the case of making a living, adapting with today's times means choosing a profession other than photography.

 

[pixmedic]

The biggest problem I see on this forum is that we are dealing with a lot of photographers who do not make a living from photography.

The gear is paid by some other, way more profitable job. So that not really getting paid for a photo is no big deal. Great for you people.

Not so great for the true photographers.

well, now you are getting into what the definition of a "true" photographer is, and that is totally subjective, and does not make for good forum discussion as we have already seen in recent threads.
I think the only really valid point here is this:
the OP placed a value on a photo. what that value is, is irrelevant to anyone else except the seller and the potential buyer. it doesn't affect anyone else. (if it does, those people are not managing their business model very well)
anyway....the OP placed a value on a photo. the potential buyer either did not see the same value as the OP, or could not afford the price. the OP stood by his price and perceived value of his product, and there was no transaction.

now, to me...this was a very professional transaction. not a successful transaction, but certainly a professional one.
the OP did not relent and give away his product. He stated his price for it and stood by his decision.
whether or not people feel that price is good or not is irrelevant.

good form nerwin.
you stood up for everyone who produces something they feel has value, and refused to relent to the ridiculous notion that
only certain "elite" photographers are worthy of asking for monetary remuneration for their work.

 

[AceCo55]

The biggest problem I see on this forum is that we are dealing with a lot of photographers who do not make a living from photography.

The gear is paid by some other, way more profitable job. So that not really getting paid for a photo is no big deal. Great for you people.

Not so great for the true photographers.

Perhaps you really meant "full time" photographers?

 

[tirediron]

The biggest problem I see on this forum is that we are dealing with a lot of photographers who do not make a living from photography.

The gear is paid by some other, way more profitable job. So that not really getting paid for a photo is no big deal. Great for you people.

Not so great for the true photographers.

Perhaps you really meant "full time" photographers?

Perhaps when he gets his foot out of his mouth, he'll explain what he really meant!