Walking before I can run

[Richard Brooks]

Since my introduction to this forum it's beven interesting to read and hear all your experiences and opinions. A few of my habits I felt worked best for me but reading a recent post all of you were against it!! wow haha ... I digress but could I be audacious to ask for another view point?

Not wanting to run before I can walk but for free I currently spend alot...a...lot... of my own time taking pictures for a local sports team. As initially agreed a few promises appear to have been broken and a few more club requests in my opinion fall above and beyond my duty are starting to slip in weekly?

Now I know recognised and more estaished photlgraphers will say do nothing for free but an awful catch 22 ditch what currently do and be out of camera practice until something comes my way applying for every other position is sight.

How long did you wait progressing from free to charging or just getting paid? I don't want to appear being bigger thas the club being ungrateful who have given me an opportunity I am doing this part time working on budget with limited gear but I need extra payment somewhere to buy my 1D or 300mm f 2.8 lens etc etc

I've taken the first step but how was it for you making your second or third step ?? Ta

 

[davidy233]

I'd generally say that once you are working for free you aren't going to be getting paid in the future by those you've already given stuff to for nothing.

 

[dizidav]

I'd generally say that once you are working for free you aren't going to be getting paid in the future by those you've already given stuff to for nothing.

Not many people/ Orginisations will start paying you if you have given them free time, works the same across all trades.

 

[Sideshow Alvie]

I doubt whether there's any photographer now making money out of it who hasn't worked for nothing at some point, and not just in sports. The question is how long you do it for and how you make the transition to paid work. The chances are, as others have pointed out, that you're unlikely to get paid by someone who's previously been getting your stuff for nothing. You will need to plough time and money into getting to the point where someone will want to pay you. Depending on what you shoot, the gear you need isn't going to be cheap and you will invariably find that the competiton's gear will be better than the stuff you're usng,

This is where you need to get the most out of what you've got and build a portfolio of your very best pics that will catch the eye of someone who can pay you. Easier said than done, of course, but that's how these things work. Those who get paid aren't necessarily the best photographers out there but they're smart enough to match what they can do to what people are prepared to pay for. Be prepared for the fact that this may never happen for you and that you you will need to adapt to the market you're in.

Good luck!

 

[Brian_of_Bozeat]

You could try saying no occasionally, tell them you have a paid photo assignment elsewhere that clashes?

You will at least find out if they value your pictures.

.

 

[andrewc]

If you think that what you are being asked to provide is beyond the terms of your current agreement (in whatever form that is), and they have not provided things they said they would then that is time to sit down and to negotiate. The fact they are still using you shows they like what you produce, now to ask them to quantify it.

 

[Sgt_Bilko99]

Hi Richard, have you approached your local paper (if you have one) and see if they would pay you for covering games. I started off by submitting photos of my local football team to the paper, for which I receive a small fee for each photo used.
It has now started to grow, when their staff photographer is on leave or very busy I cover other football games and events.
Another option is to sell your photos to the participants.