The Business of Photography

Sometimes it can be awkward when friends ask us to do photography for them, especially the first time they do so, and we don’t know whether to charge them our regular rates, a discounted price or none at all.

On one hand, if we are too embarrassed to charge, our friends may feel embarrassed to expect work of the highest caliber since we are not charging. They may feel that they have no right to impose, or to challenge us to work to the fullest. After all, we’re working for free.

On the other hand, if we charged, we worry that our friends may feel that we are not giving consideration to our friendship. Or, even when our friends offer to pay, we may feel “guilty” about charging our friends for our services.

What a dilemma.

Here are a couple of stories when friends asked us to do work for them:

Recently, we did a family portrait for a balikbayan friend and his young family. I really did not want to charge him because first, he is a friend, and secondly, portraiture is not one of our expertise or services. But he insisted on paying. I informed our studio manager that we were not charging for the photo session, but that if he would insist, then graciously accept whatever payment he would give so he would not be embarrassed to come again. He paid some cash – based on his experience having his family portraits done in Vancouver – and gifts galore for all our staff.

In 1975, when we were just starting, John took photos of Napoleon Abueva, the sculptor for the General Motors magazine. In 1976, Dean Abueva was being nominated as National Artist, and needing photos for his nomination, he came to our studio to order copies. He offered to pay for them but I would not hear of it. I explained to him that I was a U.P. student in the 60′s who marveled at seeing him drive a chariot (yes, a chariot!) on the Diliman campus. I was totally blown away by his presence in our studio and of course, didn’t want to charge him. He graciously thanked me.

He came back to invite us to the ceremony recognizing him as a National Artist, and to dinner afterwards with family and friends. I was thrilled to no end. He also presented me with a bas relief in wood on which he carved a flower and his name. It’s a treasure I keep, and one of the most precious things I own.:)

May I hear from you about your experiences – negative or positive, funny or serious, inspiring or otherwise – doing business with friends?