Ugh... been asked to do something I'm not sure I want to.

anonymouscuban

So a gal here at the office that my wife is kind of friends with asked if I would volunteer to shoot a charity event at her son's high school. The event will raise funds for the school. It's a Casino Night. My "job" would be too shoot candids during the event.

Now, I don't have to provide anything but my time for free. The deal is I will get a credit on the event program and people will be directed to visit the online gallery of the photos where they can purchase the photos... prints, digital, whatever I decide and at whatever rate I choose.

Now, I seriously doubt I will generate any money on the photos I take at the event. Maybe a few dollars if I give the option of cheap, low res downloads for FB and stuff. However, it will generate traffic on my site that may lead to some bookings for portraits and such. I just know I'm going to hate every minute I'm there taking photos.

What would you do?

PhilD41

Sounds like great advertising to me... And it's for the kids! To be fair, I am probably not the best person to reply to this.

sweet caroline

I've done this type of event, same theme, too! You have to be willing to do it as a good deed. Becoming familiar to people could definitely lead to more shoots, especially for senior portraits in this case, but you can't bank on it and don't want to end up resentful. Also consider whether you'd like more practice shooting events. I do events like this for my kids' school, where I also teach and run yearbook. So I'm emotionally invested in the work.

jarboedoggart

Do not do it to hopefully sell prints and make money. Do not do it for exposure/free advertising. Every time I have done a charity event I would go in with those expectations and be very disappointed. It just really doesn't happen.

If you are going to do it, do it because you want to help the charity. In the very small chance you get business from it, even better.

VayCayMom

I think it depends on how much you want or need to promote yourself. I used to do things that I will no longer consider. It might open the door for more of these requests and it doesn't sound like you want that. I used to take my camera every where, just in case. But now I only do when I want to.

Mitchell

jarboedoggart wrote: »

Do not do it to hopefully sell prints and make money. Do not do it for exposure/free advertising. Every time I have done a charity event I would go in with those expectations and be very disappointed. It just really doesn't happen.

If you are going to do it, do it because you want to help the charity. In the very small chance you get business from it, even better.

This would be my answer. If you really "hate" taking these type of photos, just politely decline.

I do these, but only when my own children are directly involved or if I have some personal connection with the charity. In my experience, there is not a whole lot of traffic after these events. The kids will look briefly and not buy much. After 24 hours, the traffic goes down to zero.

ian408

If it's something you're going to hate, don't do it.

Lightsearcher

ian408 wrote: »

If it's something you're going to hate, don't do it.

This is the best advice so far and I totally agreed with it.

Marcelo

Qarik

On the flip side..I did this for my company and it generated a booking which generated another booking..probably 4 bookings total from the one event.

Mike J

As the others have said - do it if you want to support the charity.

idiotabroad

I'd rather work in a soup kitchen than work an event for charity, too many bad experiences. If you hate it don't do it. It may seem like the coward way out but I normally make excuses like I have paid work to complete. Worst thing is to be known as the chump that wouldn't work a charity event because you were not getting anything out of it.

zoomer

It isn't going to generate any business. Sounds like you see it as nails on a chalkboard.
Tell them you have a prior engagement.
Only reason to do projects like that is if you would enjoy the process or want to help someone out.

ian408

idiotabroad wrote: »

I'd rather work in a soup kitchen than work an event for charity, too many bad experiences. If you hate it don't do it. It may seem like the coward way out but I normally make excuses like I have paid work to complete. Worst thing is to be known as the chump that wouldn't work a charity event because you were not getting anything out of it.

It's one thing to work a charity event that you want/like to work but I would rather be known as the chump that wouldn't than have my reputation ruined doing something I hated.

Hackbone

One charity work leads to another leads to another leads to another leads to another. Get the idea.

It is great to help out but once your labeled as cheap it is hard to get rid of. I'd rather take the event, drop the images off at Sams Club and then let the head of the charity sell them for what profit they could make of it.

Bountyphotographer

Just do it unless you have something else really important to do.
Just do it.

bounty

WingsOfLovePhoto

I hate those things too and turn them down. I have never generated any business from the ones I have done... I usually instead will give them a gift certificate if they are having an auction. That way the same people see your name but you don't have to do that kind of work if you don't like it :-)

anonymouscuban

Thanks all. I already do 2-3 charity events for JDRF every year. It's a cause I believe in and although during the actual event, I often wish I were some place else. I later find it quite satisfying when I see joy the photos bring to the parents of the kids I shoot.

The funny thing is that Chuck nailed it. I was asked to this charity event because the person knows I've done the ones for the JDRF in the past. And to be quite honest, I called this a charity event but it's really just a fundraiser for a school. It's a private school, not public. Also, the woman that is asking, her son doesn't even attend the school anymore. He graduated last year. Had no idea.

In light of all of this, I'm opting to say no.

Thanks for all the replies BTW.