Help with a Volunteer Event

[camera.patty]

I have volunteered as a Photographer to cover a Fundraiser Event at a Hair Salon to help raise funds for a teen who's insurance company refuses to pay for her continuing medical care at a reheb center. She suffered major brain injury in a car accident this past December.

My question is in regards to rights to the pictures. I honestly do not know what rights to give them. Any suggestions?

I am meeting with the Event coordinator tomorrow {Friday} evening and the event is on Saturday evening. Fortunately me WorldWide PhotoWalk is in the early AM.

[jolenetara]

There's an article somewhere on DPS about writing up contracts- try to track it down. If you have it all written down, you can pin down exactly what/how you agree the photos should be used.

I recently did some "pro bono" work for a local community group covering a local event, and because they contacted me last-minute, I had no time to write up an agreement. Big mistake- in hindsight, I really wish I hadn't agreed to cover their event. It was one nightmare after another with them.

I doubt that's going to happen to you here, but I really learned my lesson when it comes to having everything on the table ahead of time. I think I would ask them what they plan to use the photos for, and then limit their rights to the photos for those specific uses- and definitely ask them to credit you.

[camera.patty]

I daydreamed this would be an opportunity to help the salon who was helping a family. The coordinator didn't really have time or make time to answer any questions I had when I arrived. Like while everyone was getting ready, I thought this would be a good time to get the models to sign a release form. Never happened. When the mother and daughter arrived (who the fundraiser was for) I never knew, never got introduced. I found out who they were when a news crew was there conducting an interview. They never put out a red carpet and there was no direction really when people first got there. When it came time for the actual fashion show, the light kinda sucked and people blocked my path so I didn't get great shots during the show. At one point I asked the coordinator if we could get everyone together for the group shot (before everyone started leaving) that they wanted,she blew me off said we could get it later. As soon as the last raffle prize was awarded the crowd thinned out quickly, including some of the models. It probably didn't help that I had been awake since 2am and it was 120 degrees outside yesterday and was till hoovering close to 100 when I left around 10 o'clock last night.
My highlight for the day was taking part in the 2nd Annual World Wide Photo Walk. Thanks for listening to me vent.