Charity Walk Shoot

[Daryl Everett]

Okay I offered and was accepted to photograph to walks in one weekend locally for the CF foundation. I am the primary shooter for the Sat. walk and the newpaper has a connected photog who will be shooting at the Th. walk as well. I will post the pictures and they will choose a few to have compressed for an online newsletter for free. I asked for a photo credit in the newsletter where a few pics will be published and they said "of course and you can bring cards to put at the registration tables."
The dilemma is when I post the pictures for walkers to view (the link will be on the cards...I'm going to see if maybe they can be handed out in the bags instead of on the tables) should I put them up and let them download/print for free and order for a low rate or should I just allow them to view and order? I had planned to do the second but then attended a MADD dinner with my husband and that photographer passed out slips with the link and said they were printable for free in 2 weeks so now I'm rethinking. I need the money but I don't want the organization to feel that I'm taking advantage of the walkers.

[mng100]

Dear Friend, I completely understand needing money. I've been unemployed for 2 years now and money is extremely extremely extremely tight. On the other hand, I've been doing volunteer work for 10 years now and have learned that all of our roles (team captain, walker, organizer and photographers, etc.) are all important. We are all essentially volunteers giving generously of our time, talents and, in the walker's case, money to support a worthy cause. It is so hard to raise money year after year from the same people for lots of different reasons, but it's always nice to partner up with someone who can give just as generously.

I am of the opinion that if you're doing work for a charity, then do charitable work. Your talent will speak for itself and you'll be able to network with walkers, organizers, etc. Also, talent and generosity might get you invited back to do other events like galas will allow you to network with a different type of client altogether. In the meantime, your heart will overflow with joy knowing that you're helping to make a difference in someone's life, maybe even a child's life. They are suffering everyday with CF, but you have kindly donated your talents for a day so that awareness and research can continue to eliminate this terrible chronic disease. Also those generous walkers who are giving their money will know that they are appreciated because you took the time to recognize their effort.

Good luck.

[phaither]

i would have to agree. if you volunteered then you should not charge. i think the idea of limiting the time period of free downloads to 2 weeks might be ok. you might also post that higher-res prints can be purchased for those interested. just use this as an opportunity to do some good and get your name out there. anyway, it's good for the soul...

[Daryl Everett]

Originally Posted by phaither

i would have to agree. if you volunteered then you should not charge. i think the idea of limiting the time period of free downloads to 2 weeks might be ok. you might also post that higher-res prints can be purchased for those interested. just use this as an opportunity to do some good and get your name out there. anyway, it's good for the soul...

This was one option I looked at. I am giving the images to the foundation for free but I wasn't sure how many people would want the prints.
On another note, I think I am shooting a location participating in a Guinness World Record event!!!!