When do I start charging for my time?

[Stradawhovious]

Ok, first off...... for those of you who opened this without rolling your eyes, thanks. For this of you who rolled their eyes first, then opened this...... thanks, and I don't blame you, but I'm pretty sure this isn't the same kind of "When am I a pro?" Thread that people see 8 times a week.

The situation........

In the past (exactly one time) I acted as a second shooter for a local photographer at one of his gigs. I did this free of charge because I wanted the experience. He made some money off of some of my pics, I got to pad my portfolio and got some valuable experience. Everyone's a winner, right?

Well, now he has double booked himself and has asked me to shoot an event for him. I'm thrilled to do it, since again, its great experience, but where is the line between experience and exploitation?

It's obvious that he believes I can handle it, or he wouldn't have asked me to shoot it solo...... so when do I start charging for my time? This time? Next time? 7 gigs from now?

My gut says to do this one for nothing, then discuss arrangements for the next one if this turns out well.

 

[bentcountershaft]

If he thinks you're good enough to shoot solo then you should be good enough to get paid.

 

[KmH]

RTF now, or as soon as you can get away with it! You should have charged the first time too.

I don't get this, "I'll do it for free so I can get some experience" approach people have.

If you go to work for any other employer, you get paid to get experience.

Even doctors get paid to get experience. It's called a residency.

 

[Stradawhovious]

I don't get this, "I'll do it for free so I can get some experience" approach people have.

In my mind, its simple. The fact is in the vast world of photography, I'm a nobody. A nobody that happens to have somewhat decent equipment, but a nobody none the less. I expect to get treated like a nobody based on the minimal experience I have. To be fair, if I hadn't offered to do the first gig for free, he wouldn't have let me shoot with him. Bear in mind, this isn't something he asked me to do initially, the first gig that is, I asked if I could help.

With that, he now has an understanding of what I can do, and has offered me an additional gig...... an invitation that wouldn't otherwise be there had I not done the first one for free.

I'd say it opens doors in a lot of cases, and if I had that first gig to do all over again, I'd do it exactly the same way.

That being said, I believe that when we get together for the breifing for this upcoming gig, compensation will probably be discussed.

 

[kundalini]

Ask for his original contract and terms of payment. That, less a small percentage for finders fee, should be what you should expect to be paid.

 

[Stradawhovious]

Ask for his original contract and terms of payment. That, less a small percentage for finders fee, should be what you should expect to be paid.

That seems reasonable, but Its not that kind of gig. Basically, a spot is rented at the venue. Photographs are taken, then uploaded onto a image site like "SmugMug". Revenue is generated by the sale of prints and image filled DVDs. -

He supplies everything but the trigger finger. I show up, throw a radio trigger in my hotshoe, set the camera to: f/8; 1/125; ISO 100, have the person stand on the "X", push the button, give them a business card and send them on their way. Not terribly taxing, nor does it involve an outrageous amoung of skill. I'm fairly certain that a reasonably well trained monkey could pull it off.

 

[kundalini]

I don't see the difference. It's still your trigger finger, your gear and your time.

Okay, the one exception is that you will likely upload to his web account. That would be his expense and not yours, so some consideration should be appropriated towards that. However, as you stated, he double booked himself. He should then consider that you are saving his ass which should negate any additional percentage. How much damage to his reputation/business would be incurred if he bailed out completely and didn't have you to fulfill the obligation?