Don't know whether to be flattered or annoyed?

Quicksnapper

Quicksnapper

Suspended / Banned
Messages
704
Name
Sara
Edit My Images
Yes
Back in the summer, just for the fun of it on a sunny afternoon, I took a series of (pretty good) shots of my friend, Mary's dog. She was happy for me to use her pet - a large, daft, hairy beast of undetermined breeding - as shooting practice, and as a small thank you gesture I pp'd a couple of the shots and emailed them over to her. She was pleased to have them and I thought no more of it.

This morning, a mutual friend of mine and Mary's, has texted me and asked me to email over some of the images as she wants to get one of them printed up and framed for a christmas pressy for Mary. I'm not sure if I should be flattered she likes them or whether she's taking the p@£$%. WWYD? (I am not a pro photographer, just a keen amateur with decent gear like many on here ...)
 
I think the key is in the first line of the O/P to be honest - "....just for the fun of it on a sunny afternoon, I took a series of (pretty good) shots of my friend, Mary's dog".

It's unfortunate but most of the general public don't even value shots from paid, pro shoots, let alone shots taken just for the fun of it. If the person who's contacted you knows that you're not a pro and that the shots were taken just for the fun of it then I think you'd be hard pressed to ask for any money for them.

Like I say, it's unfortunate but that's the common perception of photography in general these days. In an ideal world she'd have offered to pay for them, but the world is far from ideal ;)
 
What's the issue? You got some shooting practice with a friend, it wasn't on a paid for basis and you're not a professional. Mutual friend thinks it would be a nice gift to get an image printed up for Mary.

At what point does that request come across as taking the p***? If it'd been a paid for shoot and / or you were a professional charging for your services then fair enough, as it is you should be flattered and send the images.
 
Just send her the file and let her do the print for the lady.
 
:plusone:

The friend isn't likely to go to the expense of a "proper" shoot so no pro is losing out and you've got the shot(s) on a computer so it's very little extra effort on your part to e-mail the file(s) over to the friend to get the print done. Probably less effort to send the files than to create this thread!!! ;)

Be flattered - every time you visit the friend who's going to get the gift, you'll see YOUR shot on HER wall and get a small hit of pride in your work. Mary will know it's one of your shots too and will be as grateful to you as she will to the friend who gets the print done.
 
I wouldn't be annoyed. It all sounds like it was stuff between friends, rather than something where money was ever a consideration. Clearly Mary has shown the photos to Mutual Friend with pride and they've responded with with the idea of a print as a present. It doesn't sound like p*** taking, just somebody trying to do something nice with a friend. Your options are to (a) deny the request (b) nick the idea and give it as a present yourself. You'll have to respond with a "Sorry, I've already had that idea" email and hope they take it at face value (c) let Mutual Friend pay the cost of getting it printed and framed, in the knowledge that every time Dog Owner looks at the photo, she'll think of you and not Mutual Friend.

(a) will make you seem petty in the eyes of Mutal Friend, (b) will cost you money and maybe Mutual Friend's trust but will allow you to quality control the print and framing, (c) won't cost you anything but you won't have control over print quality.

Oh, and (d) ignore the email then claim you never received it once it becomes too late for Christmas.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies everyone.

There was never a question of me asking her to pay for the files. I've sent over a selection of 4 of the best images (or, the ones I liked the best out of a set of around 40) and she's welcome to print one or all of them up if she chooses. It just struck me as a bit cheeky of her to ask, but then this is a lady who also has one of my images on her own wall, printed A3 and beautifully framed of a different subject (her horse), so I guess I'll just be flattered she likes my work and be happy. I hope Mary likes her Christmas present.
 
It can't be undervalued if it's not initially done for profit.

I'm glad you sent the images and I'm sure your friend will be thrilled with her gift.
 
viv1969 said:
It can't be undervalued if it's not initially done for profit.

I'm glad you sent the images and I'm sure your friend will be thrilled with her gift.
Click to expand...

I genuinely think photography and photographic services in general are hugely undervalued though Ruth. Or, at least, not fully appreciated by the general public. Both in terms of the skills required and time invested in post production etc rather than just money.

It's something I encounter on a regular basis but that's to be expected as, with the ever increasing availablity/affordability of good equipment, everyone is a photographer these days :)
 
danny_bhoy said:
I genuinely think photography and photographic services in general are hugely undervalued though Ruth. Or, at least, not fully appreciated by the general public. Both in terms of the skills required and time invested in post production etc rather than just money.

It's something I encounter on a regular basis but that's to be expected as, with the ever increasing availablity/affordability of good equipment, everyone is a photographer these days :)
Click to expand...

As far as professional ventures I'd agree with you...but this clearly doesn't fall into that category.

I think many times that some amateurs can often get quite precious about their images (don't mean Sara in any way!) Though.
 
Sara, I don't think she is being cheeky but appreciates the photos you have taken - it's not as if she is asking you to have it printed.

I'd send her the shots and mention that if anybody asks her where the photos were taken by whom etc that you do commissions - you might get a couple of people interested perhaps?
 
Thankfully there hasn't been much (if any!) over preciousness in this thread. If you take it to extremes, every trade is undervalued. Drive yourself to town? Will nobody think of the taxi/bus drivers? Bake your own cakes? WNTOT bakers? Sara has taken some shots that her friends are very happy with and she's supplied one with the files to produce a print for t'other. Not sure if the shots in question have been posted here yet but I for one would like to see it/them! Gotta love " large, daft, hairy beasts of undetermined breeding" - I am one (well, apart from the doubtful parentage!!!)
 
My favourite (apart from the perennial "What's up ???????" rather than "What's up, ???????") is one from my sister who wrote "I don't think, it's bad for you." which is very true of her!
 
The only issue I can see is the print quality. I did some photos for my sister in law and gave them too her on a stick. She did her own prints of them but because she hasn't got a good printer/correct print settings they all came out too dark. I don't know how good you are at printing but it may be worth offering to do the printing for her and ask her for a small contribution to cover costs, unless she intends to send it to a pro printers.
 
Raptor Mike said:
The only issue I can see is the print quality. I did some photos for my sister in law and gave them too her on a stick. She did her own prints of them but because she hasn't got a good printer/correct print settings they all came out too dark. I don't know how good you are at printing but it may be worth offering to do the printing for her and ask her for a small contribution to cover costs, unless she intends to send it to a pro printers.
Click to expand...

Perhaps make it a shared present.................you PP the image for the size of print and paper/process being used and the other friend pays for it but if so then be sure you can get it printed for her budget? Possibly even offer to share the costs if this other lady is willing to make it a shared gift.

You can make a suitably persuasive argument that it is best if she wants the best print quality to let you get it done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top