Been offered a photo job opprtunity

jonneymendoza · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:19

Hi all. i am purely just a Hobbies and while out doing my 100 strangers project http://www.flickr.com/photos/josh1408/sets/72157629897447438/with/7270441772/ some woman approached me and asked if i can do a photo shoot of some trainers that her shop will be selling.

i told her that i am no pro and still learning but she insisted and gave me her number. i also did take a shot of her for my project as well(not posted yet).

I don't think i will go for it for a few reasons:

1. i don't have the right tools for the job. i only have one strobe, no umbrellas or reflectors, and no blank canvas for possible background(unless they want a natural looking shot and not one done in a studio)

2. i don't think i have enough experience and skills yet to do studio work(see my Flickr, its mostly street/architecture shots with a couple landscape ones.)

Am i right in denying this wonderful opportunity or should i go for it? Or, should i ask more questions about location, type of shot they want etc etc?

As a complete noob, do i do it for free? if not? how much would u pay a amateur to do "product" shots such as trainers/footwear?

233 · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:23

Do it for nothing, that way there is no pressure on you and you wont be worrying about messing up. tell shop woman that this ones for nowt and perhaps suggest a reasonable price for any other work.

whitecrook · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:25

jonneymendoza said:
As a complete noob, do i do it for free? if not? how much would u pay a amateur to do "product" shots such as trainers/footwear?

Remember the only difference between amateur and pro is that the pros get paid.

Russinating · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:26

Do it for free if she doesn't want them or use them, charge if she wants to use them. Best of both worlds then.

dbmzk1 · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:36

I'd go with the above - take them for free but they pay if they use them.

jonneymendoza · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:42

They are likely to use them if the results are good enough as they plan to use them to promote there store

theheyes · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:43

I'd just do it. It sounds like you both know where you stand and that's all anybody could ask for.

jonneymendoza · 23 Jul 2012 at 16:47

cool. in terms of contracts and payments, do i get them to create a legit contract that i sign if i agree with all the terms and then if all goes well on the shoot and they like and want to use my pictures, create a business account and make them send the funds their or just do it via paypal or something instead?

Obviously if i go through this and it all goes well and i get other jobs, i would definetly open up a business account but for a one off thing, is it overkill to do so?

D.P. · 23 Jul 2012 at 17:16

whitecrook said:
Remember the only difference between amateur and pro is that the pros get paid.

No, the difference is that pros have experience and their income depends upon being able to provide a high quality service and difficult conditions, provide the photos on time, provide high quality products and services, have insurance to cover themselves if things go wrong, have a reputation to upheld. If A pro doesn't do this he is out of a job and is looking to find ways to put food on his table.

You are mistakenly thinking of "the only difference between an amateur and a cowboy is that the cowboy has the nerve to charge"

jonneymendoza · 23 Jul 2012 at 17:17

am i a cowboy?

D.P. · 23 Jul 2012 at 17:18

jonneymendoza said:
cool. in terms of contracts and payments, do i get them to create a legit contract that i sign if i agree with all the terms and then if all goes well on the shoot and they like and want to use my pictures, create a business account and make them send the funds their or just do it via paypal or something instead?

Obviously if i go through this and it all goes well and i get other jobs, i would definetly open up a business account but for a one off thing, is it overkill to do so?

Do it for free and avoid the legal and financial difficulties. Do you have insurance, do you know what you will do if the quality of your product is not sufficient or some other mishap occurs?

D.P. · 23 Jul 2012 at 17:19

jonneymendoza said:
am i a cowboy?

Well, you are not a professional. Is a majority of your income contingent upon you providing professional quality service and results? Will you be applying for Job seekers allowance if this all goes **** up?

jonneymendoza · 23 Jul 2012 at 17:21

i only have basic insurance from photoguard but i read they have pro insurance for paid togs.

Some say to only charge if they wish to use the pics and not for when your actually doing the shoot. Should that not squash any misaps that may occur or if they dont like the end result?

what misaps could occur though?

jonneymendoza · 23 Jul 2012 at 17:22

D.P. said:
Well, you are not a professional. Is a majority of your income contingent upon you providing professional quality service and results? Will you be applying for Job seekers allowance if this all goes **** up?

LOL no. this woudl become a part time thing should i choose to go for it. i have a day job thats stable and pays decent

D.P. · 23 Jul 2012 at 17:55

jonneymendoza said:
i only have basic insurance from photoguard but i read they have pro insurance for paid togs.

Some say to only charge if they wish to use the pics and not for when your actually doing the shoot. Should that not squash any misaps that may occur or if they dont like the end result?

what misaps could occur though?

It will certainly be easier if you don' charge a service but turn up to make photos and then the customer pays individually for each photo they want.

a Mishap could be you turn up and while setting up a tripod knock over an expensive glass vase ornament or big flat screen TV - you woould be responsible for that. What if you leave your camera bag on the floor and someone trips over that and hurts themselves.

What if they are 100% dependent on your photos for some big media event and you fail to provide because your batteries died (or simply your 1 camera stopped working, as you know, a professional will have multiple cameras and lenses and flashes, and will also have contacts in place so if they become too sick/injured to work they can rely on a professional friend to take their place so the customer does not loose out) .

These are all unlikely but things that a professional must take care of, and a profesional insurance is part of that.

Guitarman0 · 23 Jul 2012 at 21:40

Russinating said:
Do it for free if she doesn't want them or use them, charge if she wants to use them. Best of both worlds then.

This is what I would do.