First off, I want to say that it’s good to have close friends that you can be there for when they’re in need of  help. Now I’m going to tell you, having your picture taken is not exactly a life or death situation. You’re not helping them in any way whatsoever. You’re simply giving them your services for free. If you are serious about running a business, you need to scratch freebie out of your vocabulary.

This is hard for many photographers but if you want to run a business you need to be a business. You have expenses. You have overhead. Your time itself is money. There is nothing wrong with you charging your friends a fair price for your products and services. If it wasn’t for you they would end up paying another photographer. Why not pay somebody they can feel comfortable with based on that existing relationship.

Ok, so you still feel uncomfortable about charging your friends who are expecting a freebie. Right now I would be asking myself, “Are they honestly a close friend or just an acquaintance who is looking for a free ride?” This is very important because once you give the freebie, you damage your image as a professional. You are now simply .. the friend with a camera. This is not the reputation you want growing in the community.

What if they truly are a close friend and not just looking for a handout? If you want to cut them a deal, do it in a way that maintains your professionalism. Tell them to bring in a few referrals in exchange for a session and/or prints. A real friend will have no problem doing this at all.

The main things to keep in mind from this post are:

• Don’t create a non-professional reputation by handing out freebies
• Don’t increase your overhead/expenses without a return of some kind.
• Remember your friends are friends but your business puts food on the table.

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Comments (3)

Agree and Disagree

If you are referring to a professional photographer who already had a portfolio of images and is ready to be an official business, then I agree.

However, if someone wants to be a professional photographer and is in the portfolio building stage, I don't see anything wrong with offering free sessions to practice. That would be a great way to learn their camera, lighting, posing, etc. before they actually go into business. BUT, they should give them an invoice with how much it would normally cost, then offer them a 100% discount. That would help the client put value on what they got for free.

Then, as the photog gets more comfortable with their camera and photography in general, they can decrease the amount of the discount until they are ready to charge full price.

Jessica E. , October 28, 2009 | url

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Freebies?

I don't give freebies when asked, rather I point them to a smart shopper thing i do on the radio... $100 certificates they can buy for $50 ( I get $10O in advertising dollars) or I start talking barter... There are some things I need, concrete work on my driveway or various other tasks,, I nned a 2nd bathroom remodel.
Specific trades that I am not skilled with... trade value for value.. either we make a deal or they stop asking.

Matt Hauschildt , November 13, 2009 | url

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TFCD ftw

That's why I always do TFCD - at least I can sell the images as stock, and in time the revenues generated usually more than pay for the time spent. Even if they don't, hey it's something. I have hooked up a lot of people, though - from now on I'm going to start sticking to the closest family and friends, not just any one of my acquaintances.

Arena Creative , November 19, 2009 | url

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