Another Christmas Party | Event Photos | Photo Forum

Ok, now we need to talk about self value, which a lot of photographer have issue with. I wasn’t an exception at the beginning. People will not value your work unless you do. If you do it all the time and spend tons of time doing it, it is not really just a hobby anymore. I see you retouch them and everything. I know how much time it takes. 

First of all if you post those on Facebook, there is no way somebody will buy them (maybe sometimes, as an exception). People will copy it, save it, some people will even try to print it without even thinking that quality it bad. 

Instead you should use some websites, which will let your customers to order prints, like Zenfolio or SmugMug for example. Then you can post a link to the gallery on Facebook for them to check photos out with option to purchase. 

I would probably let them know before photographing them that they will be able to purchase photos later, if they want to. No pressure! 
Most of the time people think that it cost you nothing to take photos. Just pick up the camera. They have no clue about everything behind it. Unless you put a price on it. 

“Friends” (except true friend) is probably the worst. I had friends who I photographed for free for years. Then when I open my business and had tons of business expenses, the same friends were not happy that I started to charge for my services even with a huge discount to them. 

My thing is if my friends have a business (hair dresser, lawyer, bakery, etc. ) I will support them without even asking for discount. I need the service anyway, why would I go somewhere else. If they want to give me a discount or do it for free, I will argue about it. And if they push it, I will offer some of my services in return. 

The same with photography. People should not expect you to do it for free even your friends. Unfortunately most people are not thinking that way, until you put price on it yourself. 

You need to decide for yourself if you want it to be your part time business, make it official and treat it as such or it is just a hobby you spend tons of precious time on. 

I replied already in other post, but do those people who you think will not like you do anything for you. If they are hairdressers, do they give you a free haircut? If they are a lawyers, do they give you free consultations? If they have a restaurant, do you eat there for free? You need to decide for yourself, do you want to be a photographer and make some money with it or if it is just a hobby and you just doing it for fun. Obviously you are not happy with situation and it is not that much fun anymore, if you are asking me those questions. Also if they have those event almost every month with the same people, it is probably not that special for them anymore to have pictures from every event, especially printed. You can’t blame them for it. I would just stop doing it, if you think you are waisting your time. There brobably more interesting subjects, when the same people parting. I love your artistic photos. 

In this time and age people love to take pictures, first of all because they have their phone with camera available with them at all times + they can upload them on Facebook right away. It does give them self esteem when people comment on them. I usually don’t take my camera to a regular get togethers (unless it is some important event). If you want picture by me, you got to come to me and it will cost you. They know if I take their photo it will be special and it will get more likes and comments then any of their selfies. I find nothing wrong with patting each other back. It would be worse if they did opposite. What ever makes you happy. If they pat each other back, they are not only self centers, but also each other centered.