Printing pictures

[howler]

After selling up my D80 and missing it like hell(redundancy forced sale), last may my partner and myself all chipped in and i bought a D60, so i packed myself off and just played with the camera played with the settings and just relaxed i decided not to ever feel pressured into taking a picture well

Any ways a few months on....Sunday i attended a dog show, camera in hand with the intention of just having fun, now admittedly i have only the kit lens on the D60 and i cannot use the front focussing ring at all i am uncomfortable and too easy to slide so i struggle, so i do rely on the auto focus to do the final focus.

Ok well a friend of mine asked me to do some shots of the 2 dogs she had there and i said no problem,
this had a knock on effect and another couple asked for shots of theirs...me being me and although lacking confidence i wont turn down an opportunity to learn and gain experience, so i agreed and took the shots. I had already cased the venue and outside area for decent spot before when i arrived but that's habit now,

i took email addresses and duly went home and sorted through them did a teeny bit of editing as for once the in camera shots and setting were pretty spot on saving me loads of editing, so I emailed the pictures to the respective people.

I only get an email showing an interest for selected shots to be printed which was nice as most would have just toddled off and done it themselves, but i am a fish out of water here. I can arrange for printing as done that for myself but do i charge a little on top or just do cost price do i take the opportunity and hope it gets people talking, so i can possibly progress onto more, or just treat it as a one off that may never happen again? if so what to charge as an amateur?
i have replied by giving sizes available and finishes, and once/if they get back to me with size and finish i can get them a price...
I mean i don't know if that's the way to do things! after all they already have the high-res shots so in theory they did not have to ask me, after all i gave them the shots willingly as i did not think for a minute they would be good enough!

I mean when i first got a dslr the best thing that could have happened would have been someone asking me for one of my pictures then even being seen as good enough by another person was/is the ultimate for me personally, i aspire for nothing more than seeing someone smile over a picture i have taken capturing a shot that someone can the keep and cherish.

So now the opportunity is here and i am suffering from a case of run a mile just in case i mess it all up. or maybe iu seeing moere to this than there actually is!

sorry for the ramble

 

[wrx_dazza]

do what you feel comfortable with.

its not unfair to charge a bit on top for your time.

or just tell them to get them printed themselves.

 

[howler]

Thank you I did mention about printing themselves and was replied to about not being computer orientated, as i advised them how to save the pictures to their p.c, i was just unsure if i had the right to charge as i am only a hobby tog of a fashion lol

 

[pete.rush]

Thank you I did mention about printing themselves and was replied to about not being computer orientated, as i advised them how to save the pictures to their p.c, i was just unsure if i had the right to charge as i am only a hobby tog of a fashion lol

You'll know the print prices for the images that they wanted, so if you don't want to be out of pocket, just charge them the cost of the prints, but ask them first whether they would be happy to pay the printing costs.

As you didn't agree anything before hand, I probably wouldn't charge anything on top, just cover your costs of the printing and sending prints.

 

[realspeed]

Howler I understand exactly where your comming from,so your not alone as you can see from the following


I was asked exactly the same as you at an Afghan hound race meet, in my case I was only too happy to send the pictures via email just to get some sort of reaction and got back a positive response.

There is a complete difference between taking photos for oneself and being asked to take photos that someone may like to purchase, when you have never been asked before and not a pro photographer.

This is why I was only too happy to send pictures this way which in reality cost me nothing for the first time and actually was sent some money from one of them which I didn't ask for but gratefully received. I have to say it was a terrific boost knowing someone else liked my efforts. Ok its not the best way by far to show off your work,but they were happy as they had asked others before and never
had anyone bother to send any photos.

You mentioned about being confident and gaining experience, to which I totally agree with. I think that in our situation not being professional photographers there is the concern that the picture isn't good enough to sell , self criticism of ones own work is the hardest thing to overcome.

Would I take more photos for payment if asked ? If I happened to be around taking photos and someone approached me for a photo of their pet or whatever, then the answer would be yes, on the understanding that I was just a hobby photographer and therefore on that basis I would charge accordingly if the photos came out ok.

If I was asked specifically to go and do a shoot for a fee then I don't think I would ( self doubt creeping in again) but happily go along to see how a real pro goes about the work and get some ideas.

I prefer to print my own photos as part of the whole process of photography, yes its far cheaper to get a shop to do the prints but you loose out on so much on satisfaction of doing your own.

As to costs I would take into consideration the cost of photographic paper- equipment used ( camera/lens/printer/ink etc ) personal time postage etc. breaking down each to come to a final costing.

Realspeed

 

[howler]

Thank you,this is what i thought i would do as i am just happy that they like the pictures, but others seem to think its me being a push over and i am not helping myself get anywhere and that if it was me asking for prints i would be getting charged ect ect,
I felt a little morally conflicted, i am happy to just have costs covered and hope something comes of it down the line! and if not well so be it!

 

[realspeed]

Howler

From now on or at least for a time I would be happy to just cover my costs.
What would I gain out of it? answer plenty, not necessarily financially, but in confidence in my own work and ability , the urge to produce better than before and the satisfaction that others like the end result.
Let others think your being taken as a mug, ignore them, its how you feel inside knowing what you have and can still achieve thats important.

Realspeed

 

[howler]

Thank you realspeed this is exactly how i feel, and like i said initially I am, more than happy just to have costs covered and have the sense of a little pride i did good for someone, and again i would get something out of it personally,
i know others cannot see that, but they think i wear rose tinted all the time any ways so nothing will change that view lol,

your post has helped, i am happy with that, and feel justified feeling as i do knowing i am not alone in my way of thinking.