Here is an offer I almost couldn't turn down.

[Tracy Hicks]

This came from one of the mothers of a kid that is in my sons cub scout pack... she has ask me to shoot a girlscout father/daughter dinner... this is the 2nd email I got from her.

$5 for a package....down from $7 you know. I almost couldnt reply. I figured the 3 hours I'd be there I'd clear at least $10 to $15 dollars.... anyone want this one? Well you have to think about all the calls you'll get to photoshop and the special requests on the packages.



"April 21 will be a Saturday night if that helps. Last year, they paid $7 up front for a photo package of 1 5x7 and 4 wallets (there were no choices on packages). I would like to get it down to $5 for a pre-paid package, but do like the option of being able to order more online after the event if the pictures turn out well. You also would not need to be there for the whole time. Generally, they like to get the photos done first before hair gets messed up or their faces get painted. We will be sending registration packets out in January and should have a good estimate of the number of portraits needed by February and a final count by the beginning of March. If you will be at the pack meeting tonight, I’d love to discuss this with you then. "

[Silvernic]

Originally Posted by Tracer40

Well you have to think about all the calls you'll get to photoshop and the special requests on the packages.

Oh, pick me, pick me. I'm thinking of going back to film and claiming that I can't photoshop images.

[Tracy Hicks]

$5 packages are hard to pass up I know.... I just wouldnt know what to do with that kind of crazy cash. There's this lens cap I've had my eye on and I figure I'd make enough that night to maybe buy it.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by Silvernic

Oh, pick me, pick me. I'm thinking of going back to film and claiming that I can't photoshop images.

Heck Silvernic! With that kind of money, you could have a real winter vacation in Houston!

[PeteQ]

Someone will grab that job.....

[srwatters]

[dripping sarcasm]
It will most likely be snatched up by one of us amateurs who are taking food off the table of the real professionals.
[/dripping sarcasm]

I better go run and hide now

[Tracy Hicks]

Yeah can you see me taking pictures of little girls? You've seen my work.... I'd go to jail!

[RiverSide]

I blame Walmart for these expectations...

[markfh]

roflmao...

[LadyShutterBug]

holy geez. it's for the girl scouts. lighten up.

we pay $5 for a 5x7 of the kids with santa, with a reindeer, whatever... taken by a point & shoot at the kids' school every single year. we pay the $5 because we know it goes toward fundraising for the school.

it's a good way to get a name out if you are not a well-established photographer... and by having people look at a gallery online, you can get them to a website to look at the rest of your portfolio.

it's a community service kind of job that can benefit you if you set it up correctly.

[Laura Minks]

Dang.... I paid $15 for 1 crappy 5x7 of my kids with Santa.

[*Mike*]

*Sigh* We took an Air Force Xmas party as a good deed. We told them up front it was more of a good deed than anything else and that we love to support the local base. So, with that in mind we'd just match the local mall santa prices. Yep, we actually just copied the prices of the mall sign...

Would you believe that we got complaints about being to expensive!!! AN officers wife actually called to say that they normally only pay $5.00 for an 5x7 at these functions... Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

I bet those would would have been some fine looking girl scouts though if you took it, Tracy. But, with that thought in mind, my daughter is never joining scouts...

[HotHolly]

I was a Girl Scout. Probably would have said yes. Maybe would have swapped 1 box of cookies for a 5x7? Told you, Im a sucker. I just want to be nice to people!

I was thinking, maybe for these super low cost events, you should bring a camera (that you dont care if they drop) and set it on a tripod and let them have the experience of taking their own photo. Charge 2x as much money (a whopping $10).

Then, when they complain - you can tell them the photographer wasnt very good.

Ohhh...I think that was mean? Am I getting less sucker-ish?

Go Girl Scouts!

[*Mike*]

The funny thing is that HotHolly thinks that I'm the one that likes to give away the farm (I confess, I like being Santa.) But, that's a heck of an idea... setting up a little set, putting out an old D50 or something, and letting them have fun with it. Probably could charge a few extra bucks. Kids would love it!!!

Oh, and HotHolly is one of those Girl Scouts that you'd do great with Tracy... I'll have to see if we still have her old sash around the house. Doh! Now you've got me thinking about cookies.

[picasso]

Originally Posted by LadyShutterBug

holy geez. it's for the girl scouts. lighten up.

we pay $5 for a 5x7 of the kids with santa, with a reindeer, whatever... taken by a point & shoot at the kids' school every single year. we pay the $5 because we know it goes toward fundraising for the school.

it's a good way to get a name out if you are not a well-established photographer... and by having people look at a gallery online, you can get them to a website to look at the rest of your portfolio.

it's a community service kind of job that can benefit you if you set it up correctly.

I have to disagree.... I think you would be setting the expectation that future pics will be just as inexpensive. After all if you made money on the photos for the girl scouts they would be thinking you are still making some money. I did not realize the girl scouts were a charity. I see a few Mercedes and BMW's at the boy scouts meetings close to where I live. Just because it is a school function does not give them the right to ask someone to give away their services. I do see what you mean though about an opportunity to get your name out there I just don't know what the expectations would be after you gave away 5 pictures for $7 dollars. For the record I have been asked to do a shoot for a drill team at $60 for basically the same pics but 1 8x10. They fit into the same arena as a girl scout as far as I am concerned.

Paul