Is what I'm doing wrong?

[navcom]

Originally Posted by sk66

Wrong? no. Smart? NO!

Taking one pic for free is basically "model for pic" type thing, but don't give away the digital file!

I personally think the practice of giving the digital files is one of the biggest detriments to the industry. I understand a clients desire to be ablle to share their pics via computer or tv, but I would repackage them in a manner which makes it less convenient for the client to reproduce at will.

Hold on my friend.....On this I would agree with you! Shocking!

Kind of like saying "I may not agree with what you are saying but I'll die defending your right to say it"....I believe the freedom to distribute should remain. Now whether it's a good business decision is another matter. Giving away your digital files for free is similar to a manufacturing company giving away their tooling with their product. Your digital files are your patent...your copyright...just like a prototype is to a manufacturing company. By giving them away, you are giving up some major control over your product.

Of course if my brother wanted some files of pictures I took of his kids, he's gonna get 'em. I still have some control as I know my brother isn't going to use them for something I wouldn't approve of. You just don't know with a client. Their intentions most likely will not be motivated by evil, but the outcome of their decisions on what to do with your images may not be in your best interest.

It's a decision you have to make on your own. You are free to make it. Just understand the consequences.

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by navcom

It's a decision you have to make on your own. You are free to make it. Just understand the consequences.

I really do understand! And believe me you advice was really helpful and I am changing my thoughts.
Thank you very much!

[AnnaV]

Originally Posted by m.c.adams

What I'm attempting to say, is that people that are wanting a good quality photo, of course, will pay, but the people that are on the fence, to buy or not to, aren't going to buy if they can get it free. In my opinion, people giving away work or doing it for gas money and a six pack, are killing the industry.
Mark

A similar thing has happened in London, in recent years two free papers have popped up which are distributed everywhere - the standard of content and journalism is shockingly poor (Z list celeb falling out of a club, anyone?) but they have still harmed the circulation of the paid-for papers.

[FromtheBackofaHorse]

Originally Posted by angtomczak

Dear Fromthebackofahorse:

We're having Fun Show this weekend to benefit the local Drill Team. It's a community event, but draws about 75 riders. Which is a big deal for our little town. There are 6 events in the show, and you pay per event. Most of us don't have the extra money to participate in all 6 events, after we've paid the entry fee, grounds fee, and fuel to get there, so we pick and choose our favorite events. We don't get dressed up. We don't do our hair or make-up. We just have fun.

Would you come and take some pictures of us?

I think you're too far away to actually consider that.... but do you get my point? We may find a pro photographer to come out for a PRCA rodeo, but you won't see one for a smaller event like this. The money just isn't there.

I think if you've got some good people, just having a good time... well, more power to you!

Ya think the guy who chewed you out would be willing to come to my show???

Too bad I'm so far away because it sounds like a good time and I'd do a trade. Give me free entries and I'll take the shots!!

That is my point actually....Pro's don't want to shoot these small local events. A lot of us will NEVER compete on the level where they have pro photographers.

I think I have come to the decision that I will continue to shoot these events and just offer prints at a very low cost to those that are interested.

[private]

Originally Posted by Algernonep

I'm am new at photography and trying to get a start and more experience. I am also building a portfolio. I think I have a lot to learn. I also think I have learned a lot and my photos are decent quality for an amatuer. Right now I'm doing portraits for free to build a decent portfolio. Is what I'm doing wrong also? I'm offering 1-8x10 print and a CD for free until I get the experience I need and a good portfolio. Am I wrong???

I can understand the need to give away things for free when you are first starting out. You want to build your base. And if you CHOOSE to give something away, please let them know it has a value.

Create your price list - I would also offer an 11x14 not 8x10 (harder to scan). Free portrait session free 11x14 $100 value...yada yada yada. If you want to sell your digital images by all means do so (the word is changing, more and more photographers are doing it - people are expecting it more and more) but attach a value to it. Just PLEASE do not give them away - and not the super large version. Offer them a discount if you feel weird asking for the money, nut not free.

They will want more than the 11x14 - just the processing alone warrants a fee for the images, not to mention the Cost of doing business. Building your portfolio is sooo important, but its way more important to have a successful business.

[angtomczak]

Thought ya'll might find this interesting.....

Photoshop Insider Blog By Scott Kelby » Blog Archive » A Great Day For Sports Photography?

[angtomczak]

Originally Posted by FromtheBackofaHorse

A lot of us will NEVER compete on the level where they have pro photographers.

Exactly! And I'll never get a decent shot of me on my horse, because my husband is a TERRIBLE picture taker!

Your doing a good thing!

[Swisstony10]

The Royal Photographic Society (in the UK) is running a seminar shortly on "Going Freelance" - it's not an expensive seminar, £25 for the day, including lunch. I'm just waiting for the person who's being paid to give the seminar sending a stroppy email to Darren, to complain about the Earning With Photography section on this site which gives away so much detailed, invaluable, and above all, FREE advice...

[navcom]

Originally Posted by angtomczak

Thought ya'll might find this interesting.....

Photoshop Insider Blog By Scott Kelby » Blog Archive » A Great Day For Sports Photography?

Nice article! Hmmm...the dad even had a pass from the event owner! That's pretty much permission to take photos. And now they've changed their minds. Their choice. But this dad wasn't getting paid to do it...just taking photos of his kid and entered one in a contest.

Isn't that how you become a pro? I would think the pro's would like this method best! No danger to their pocketbook as he is not getting paid and the amateur gets to practice on the sidelines. It's a win-win!

Quite honestly, I think there are some folks that are not concerned with competition from an amateur. They are concerned with competition period....because they are afraid of it. I believe they would go out of their way to prevent someone like this dad from even becoming a pro without their "permission". It almost sounds like "the family" sending the muscle down to collect the "protection money". And this is not just in the field of photography.

This reminds me of a gallery where my wife had her work shown at awhile back. She's an oil painter. There was a person at the gallery who was in charge of where the new artwork would be hung. She also happened to be one of the artists with work on display as well.

The first time this person saw my wife's work, she said it was too bold and wouldn't work at all in the gallery. She needed to use more subdued pastel colors instead of the bold mix she is used to using for her modern impressionist style. She actually scolded my wife! My wife was actually hurt by the comments. I was really miffed myself! But it wasn't this person's choice in whether it would be hung or not...just where it would be hung. So my wife's stuff went in the back room.

(If you are interested, here is a similar painting to what this person "reviewed")

So a few days later my wife and I went to the gallery together to see the location. I asked to see this other person's work. Her work was BOLD AND COLORFUL just like my wife's!!! It was a bit different style, but it was obvious this person was threatened by another artist with a similar style in the same gallery.

This same person constantly made comments about how art "wasn't supposed to be sold". Of course this person didn't have a problem selling their own stuff in the same gallery! Elitist hypocrisy. What it boiled down to was the fear of competition.

[beatles2]

Good morning Deb, you seam to have opened up a can of worms here. . I think if there was a photographer at the event he/she would have just cause to get upset, but because he was not there I would send him an e-mail back and tell him to kiss my rosy red A well you know.

It all seams to be black and white for some that you never shoot or give anything for free, and if you do your taking food off some bodies plate. Well, the times are a changing. The fact is that there are,,, well just let me say lot of people that have zero interest in making any money in photography and will always give away. And every man and their dog has a point and shoot. Lets face it you're not going to make the same money you use to off prints. Right or wrong thats just the way it is.. So going forward I continue to do some shoots for free. Be it a favor for a friend, A charity event that I believe in , etc. Or a family that has no money for a family shoot.