Re: [Leica]Tina/Reimbursement/Value Placed on Work?

[D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

>I am not a professional photographer but I certainly understand the value
that
>people place on outstanding photography.   Recently I was asked to photograph
>the children of an acquaintance.  I am a real sucker for chlldren and I get a
>tremendous amount of enjoyment capturing their activities.  If my work shines
>it is in this area.  On this day I took about 120 pictures and of those there
>were around 50 that were exceptional.  I must have spent at least 40 hours in
>the darkroom working on these prints.  There was a lot of waste as I am a
>novice with the enlarger.  When I delivered the prints to the parents they
>were overwhelmed with the results and stated that they were much better than
>they anticipated.  When the subject of money came up I told them that I don't
>charge for my work but if they wanted to buy some paper for me to please see
>my friend at the camera shop.   Several days later they brought me a pack of
>25 sheets of paper.  This would hardly cover the cost of the film.    It was
>not the money, it was the principal.  I spent two hours making the pictures
>using $20,000 of equipment, spent days in the dark plus paper and chemicals.
>No telling what my total cost was.    They were totally ignorant of the costs
>and they reimbursed me what they felt it was worth.   Since taking those
>pictures I have received calls from five other couples to take pictures of
>their kids.  I don't think so.  I would rather ask to take pictures of
>children and give them to them than to be depressed when I learn how much
>value they place on my work.  For me, when business is brought into it the
>enjoyment deminishes.   I appreciate the commitment that our professional
>photographers have made and hope that situations like the one that faced Tina
>are not common occurences.
>
>Bob Bedwell
>

Permit me to suggest a different tack:

1. Do a contact print to pick out the best 20 shots.

2. Reproduce in postcard sizes.  Generally, people are happy to receive
about 15-20 or so good B&W prints.  It is also more economical for you and
you spend less time in the darkroom - one hour of enlarger work at most.

3. If you want to be reimbursed in kind, ask for films rather than paper.
Most people do not know how to buy paper.  They are generally quite happy
to buy you "half a dozen" rolls of film for all your efforts.

4. Be prepared to get just a word of "Thanks" only.  There are some who
will think that they are entitled to everything without cost to them.

Dan K.