Have been asked to take photos....

[chirpchirp]

I posted this in WWYD it's pretty quiet over in that corner so hope you don't mind me posting here too.

A few months ago I bought a DSLR camera and have been having a great time learning to use it taking lots of photos of my DS. I have put a few photos up on Facebook and a mum I know through a baby group (so not a close friend) has asked if I could come and take some professional (!) photos of her DS and asked how much I charge. I replied and said thanks for the compliment but I am by no means a professional photographer but would be happy to take photos of her DS anyway. She replied to say that would be great and asked again how much I would charge her.

Now if it was a close friend I wouldn't even consider taking any payment and I feel a little uncomfortable about charging this lady because as I say it is just a hobby, but at the same time there is part of me that thinks statutory maternity pay isn't a huge amount and a few extra quid would really help. So WWYD and if you would charge how much?

[squeakytoy]

I would offer to do it for free, or say "oh just get me a bottle of wine but let me use the photos in a portfolio to see if I can maybe start up a business"... and put the photos on a disc for her. That way it isnt costing you anything other than a bit of your time... but the goodwill could lead to her putting paid work your way..

[Deesus]

Maybe turn it back to her. Say you'll do the shots and then she can pay you what she thinks they're worth!

[LynetteScavo]

I would tell her I would do it for free if she allowed me to use the photos in my portfolio.

I would then start advertising......

[redwineformethanks]

Do the photos as a favour in exchange for a donation to charity if you're uncomfortable taking money but make it clear this is a special favour while you're getting the hang of the camera, so you're not bombarded with requests from other people

[LollipopViolet]

Definitely agree to do it for free in exchange for being able to use the photos, as it's the first time.

I'm hoping to turn photography into a career and that's what I've done on occasion :)

[Angel786]

Set up your own business as lynettescavo said, otherwise depending on how long it would take I'd say maybe 50 quid and use towards your dc.

[YourMIL]

If you do accept payment technically you would legally need to register as self-employed (and all that entails) within 3 months of taking payment even if you already have another job. You may also want to consider public liability insurance because if you're doing a paid job, if something bad happens that is technically your fault you could find yourself out of pocket quite considerably.

It's a minefield and a right old faff once money enters the equation, it really is. If photography is something you'd like to make money out of one day, it might be worth sorting some of this stuff out. That way you could do it without worrying!

Alternatively, is there anything she could do for you/give you? I'm pretty sure bartering wouldn't cause the same issues.

When I started my photography business I did about a dozen friends and their families for free - my only payment was using their photos in my portfolio and travel expenses in some cases.

Good luck - it's very rewarding, and it's a lot easier photographing other people's children too :)