Wow, what an offer...

[DeLeon]

So I have this local band wanting free photos. I understand that they don't have much money to spend, but I have a family to feed. After letting them know that I am not a concert photographer, but I would be happy to refer them to a few people, this is the responseI got.

Suppose you bring 2 friends, we buy YOUR ticket, and you take pictures which you can use in your portfolio, and we use some pictures to put on the web site and give you credit?

Hmmm?

I'm not sure if I can turn this down...

All kidding aside, is this how it normally works when photographing local bands?

[AndrewCCM]

Ask them to come play your next get together for free and you'll record them and use the music on your website and give them credit.

[AndrewCCM]

I charge a flat hourly fee for shooting bands. They pay for my admittance as well as a couple of beers. LOL

[guitarbug]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Ask them to come play your next get together for free and you'll record them and use the music on your website and give them credit.

Good one Andrew! Why is it people always want something for nothing but would have a cow if you asked them for thier service free of charge!

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by guitarbug

Good one Andrew! Why is it people always want something for nothing but would have a cow if you asked them for thier service free of charge!

If they are a serious band, then they need to pay just like everyone else. If they aren't serious, then they should all have day jobs... I am sure they aren't asking a studio to record them for free in exchange for "credit". The mindset that photography is easy, cheap and not worth paying for has to change. If they want to put shat on their MySpace page, then so be it...go grab your P&S and hand to your groupie of the month...

I am done with freeloaders. If I WANT to shoot you...I'll offer to do it for free....but don't go asking for handouts just because you're a poor broke musician. You chose that line of work, so live with it. Betcha got the money somewhere for that guitar.

BTW: I was a musician for 3 years as my only job, so I understand this stuff first hand. Still no excuse.

Rant over.

[guitarbug]

I like the way they said " suppose you bring 2 friends we will buy YOUR ticket" Anything to get people to see them play, lol... Did not even offer to pay for her friends!

[AndrewCCM]

Yeah.. and if it's a club gig, that 1 ticket is worth about $5.

Cost more than that to drive there and back.

[RightAngle]

Thats kind of ridiculous, At first I read it and thought it was some friends of yours then I went over again and saw it wasn't. wow.

I agree with what has already been said. People see photography as a simple easy thing, its all about that "really nice camera that takes amazing pictures". Again we get back to the thread of everyone has DSLRs and as such they are all photographers! yay! People are poluted with too many mediocre photos and don't appreciate true quality anymore.

I'm sure this band has fallen into the same trap and don't realize what they are asking for. Hopefully thats the case anyway. Either way its always hard to deal with people who don't understand the amount of skill, practice, and effort that goes into creating a photo. I would hope if they did then they would avoid such requests and wouldn't assume a $5 ticket and a reference in fine print wouldn't be worth it.

[DeLeon]

Originally Posted by guitarbug

... Did not even offer to pay for her friends!

Hmm..I think it may be time to change my avatar...I wonder how many other people here think that I'm a her.

[12stones]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

The mindset that photography is easy, cheap and not worth paying for has to change.

It won't change until new photogs stop doing it cheap and easy.

Originally Posted by DeLeon

Hmm..I think it may be time to change my avatar...I wonder how many other people here think that I'm a her.

It can be confusing...

[JohnT]

The only way I would this is if I needed to build a concert band portfolio so I could attract paying gigs. That's how I did it with portraiture. Shot a handful free of charge (friends), made an online gallery, and now I have people paying me to do it.

[canoflan]

Originally Posted by guitarbug

Good one Andrew! Why is it people always want something for nothing but would have a cow if you asked them for thier service free of charge!

I will tell you why. Because more people in this world can push a shutter (regardless of knowing anything about the camera), than play an instrument.

Perception is everything in business and that is how value is created.

If the OP entertains providing his service for anything less than he would normally charge, or take in kind, this will continue to support the notion that photography is easy come, easy go. At the end of the day, the market is what it is and this is really how it plays out.
Pat

[canoflan]

To the OP, I would charge by the hour and get cash up front for an estimated hourly cost it will take you to travel, shoot, and process and deliver. Your hourly rate is up to you.

Also, you should get the credit and use in your portfolio in the contract (oh, I am sure you will get a contract nailed down with these guys, right?).
Pat

[Dakinetx]

To me (and bear in mind I am originally from another country so have different thoughts and ways of doing things sometimes than here) it's "Cheeky".
In that I mean, I am a guitarist and have been in bands most of my life. Nowadays many bands decide to try and do it on their own (no manager etc.) as technology allows them to go from practice to recording pretty easy.
However, herein lies the rub, publicity! Now thats one thing that aint so easy, getting their name and therefore music out there.
I would think they are "chancing their arm" and good luck to them. Everyone had to start somewhere and am sure they will find a willing Photographer that wants pictures for his portfolio or just is into live gigs.
Unfortunately unless a band has a good manager/publicist $$$ is normally short to nonexistant so "panning" is the only real option. Can't bash em for trying :)

[rkayw]

Quote:
Suppose you bring 2 friends, we buy YOUR ticket, and you take pictures which you can use in your portfolio, and we use some pictures to put on the web site and give you credit?

Hmmm?

what is the perceived value of their advertising for you (giving you credit), and the size of their following? And does this bands following (the people that will see your images) have money to spend?

Place a perceived value on what they can bring you in return.

I've heard too many times "a lot of people will see your images & it will bring you business.". Which most often is not the case.