If you're willing to do it as a friend, do it for free. If they insist on compensation, ask them to make a donation of money or materials to a local high school art department.
Dinner + drinks
Ditto. It's extremely easy to ruin a friendship by mixing money into it, and I'd worry you'd get your feelings very hurt if you asked for a donation based on how she valued your stuff. Chances are excellent you'll end up with a $25 Starbucks gift card (and hurt feelings) because people really truly do not understand how much custom photography costs.
If you feel you're put a disproportionate time/effort into this free gift - then either hand her a full price list or simply don't do it. Why strain a friendship over something like this? Let her give something, absolutely, but make it a gift of her time (which is really what dinner & drinks are all about) just like yours is a gift of time.
Here's the pics I took today, it was pretty grey and overcast but the photos came out great. Their dog is 1 year old and has SERIOUS obedience issues, I couldn't believe how hyper he was, Eric only lasted about a half hour with him before he sent him back to his crate -
A free favor to them and others will come someday as the role is reversed. Do your close friends and family right. You will surely learn a skill or two from the shoot anyway..bruce
I'm a little particular when it comes to business. I don't have friends so I can use their profession and talent to my own benefit and discount. Rather, I use my friend’s services so I can support their businesses and livelihood. Sure, a little discount here and there is very kind, but I don't ever expect it.
So with that said, I’m kind of the opposite when it comes to my own business. In the past, I often gave way too much for little or free. It got to a point where I had to set some boundaries on my generosity because it was taking quality time away from my family. On top of that, it would end up costing me (or hubby) money out of pocket for print cost or daycare. So now I do half price for all of my friends. I don’t charge a session fee and I give them 50% off all prints and 25% off all Canvas items and gifts. Etc. I don’t make much but at least it covers my daycare, printing cost, and maybe provide a little extra pocket cash.
Famliy and my 1 very best friend I shoot for free.
Reneemarie
These turned out really nice! 4,5, and 7 are my faves. And 1yr old goldens just really don't always act very smart. It's not their fault. The world is just soooooo exciting for another year or two. Then they get bored and worry mostly about their tummies. So if they provide good dinner & drinks, maybe in a year or two you can get some handsome dog shots as well.
