I've been approached by a company that needs photos for one of their websites. Thing is... I work for them. So I have to plan this carefully since I'm also Operations Manager as well as Customer Relations Manager for one of their programs.

It's a welcome opportunity, but at the same time, I am hesitant. I do know I have one week, but we have two sites and over a thousand employees.

#1 - Releasing photographs, especially for corporate use, is no joke. Since they're going to be using my photographs, even more so.
#2 - There has been no offer for a fee, so I guess they're considering this is a freebie.

So given #1, I blasted off several questions like, who, what, where and when - so I can plan the how. Besides asking for the specifics on what the deliverables are and talking to the graphic design team, what else should I be asking?

Given that there is going to be a lot of my time and effort put into this, can I open up the issue of compensation (#2), and if I can, how? Or should I consider this a lost cause?

Any tips and advice is appreciated.

i don't see anything stopping you from charging them a fair prevailing price if:

*you are doing it on your own time and not the company's.
*the quality of your work is at par or exceeds the quality of the work of an agency or other professional photographers that they may hire.

get the details ironed out - requirements and logistics.

assess and estimate the effort and costs.

present the costs, trade-offs, impact to your role, work, time.

if you will take this on for free, set the ground rules for the usage of your photos, highlight that what you are doing will save the company money and you should be credited for that ( i.e. performance rating related).

Lost cause? Why not just say "no" then. If you're after the 'opportunity' only then you maybe in for a bad bait. Offer something for free and the next time they'll be feeding on more than just your hand.

It's hardly an opportunity if there's no compensation involved. At least charge per hour or per photo.

Why not ask, "May I know what your budget is for this project?" or, "To whom should I address my proposal/quotation?" That way, neither you nor they are assuming that you are working for free. If they are making this assumption, then at least they would get the hint that you would charge for your services. If they are not (assuming you'd work for free), then you'd know, and you can get going on working out a cost estimate.

Just to add to Harvey's and Basil's comment, is it your job to cover photography? If it's not in your job description, then consider this a contract between Company XYZ and Mr. Astillero that has nothing to do with your current job position.

@Ma'am Harvey... Great line... I never thought of that hehe... One simple sentence will clarify what both parties' intentions are... Wonderful :)

Thank you all for your comments!

Lei, saying no outright is not an option, since I do want to take pictures for the company and it is a delicate relationship. It'll just be a matter of setting expectations beforehand. Depending on the amount of the deliverables, recognition can be enough compensation for me.

However, if portraits and site pictures come into play, I will detail expenses and fees, since tranporting equipment and traveling between the sites will come into play. They also have to compensate for any additional equipment I would need to purchase: like a reflector and stand with boom. Btw, these were on my wishlist already. :)

Harvey Chua, your suggestion is tremendously helpful. It conveniently addresses any assumptions on either side!

Marty, usage is something I should specify in an agreement.

Thanks again! :Grin:

Hi Mon, Harvey set the right direction, other things to consider, if you charge, will you be able to produce a receipt? If you shoot office hours and charge, you might have to file for a leave because technically, they paid for your regular duties for that day with your basic. If they pay you through payroll, then they will deduct taxes from you.

If this is your first project with your employer, it is natural for you to want to do it even if there is no money involved. Just to prove to them and yourself if you are up to the task. Then maybe the next time when you have succeeded with the first project, you can charge already.

But before that you may want to read the "are you a 6k photog?":

http://digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=15907

Bernie, you're right. I can't produce a receipt right now. :Oops: And knowing our CFO, he's going to want one if I charge as photographer, not an employee.

It's all a matter of setting expectations right now, for both parties involved. If this turns out to be less than 20 photos, stock in nature and one or two portraits, then I am very willing do it for free. If more photos are required, then its a whole different ball game as you say.

And no, I don't want to become a 6K photographer. I would rather stick to my day (night) job. :D

This is slightly off-topic but it made me really think about what big companies do which is a two-birds-with-one-stone approach. Establish a photoclub in their office.

Willing members will never think of charging, and employees with this hobby feel privileged to belong to a company which put value to their employee's personal pursuits and hobbies.

Imagine how much these companies could save from hiring pro's.

- that's all... i mean no disrespect, I just observe.

This is slightly off-topic but it made me really think about what big companies do which is a two-birds-with-one-stone approach. Establish a photoclub in their office.

Willing members will never think of charging, and employees with this hobby feel privileged to belong to a company which put value to their employee's personal pursuits and hobbies.

Imagine how much these companies could save from hiring pro's.

- that's all... i mean no disrespect, I just observe.

I understand why some photographers don't charge, but do remember that if your company needs something from you other than your pictures, for example, you use your car to go on site inspections for them, or you regularly use your own computer for doing office work, they will seek to compensate you. Or at least they should. If you cook well and they like your cooking so much that they asked you to provide catering services for your office party, would you give it for free? So why is it that photographers are eager to do photography for nothing? Just asking. :)

I understand why some photographers don't charge, but do remember that if your company needs something from you other than your pictures, for example, you use your car to go on site inspections for them, or you regularly use your own computer for doing office work, they will seek to compensate you. Or at least they should. If you cook well and they like your cooking so much that they asked you to provide catering services for your office party, would you give it for free? So why is it that photographers are eager to do photography for nothing? Just asking. :)


oh harvey.. im sure you remember the practice of old-when you find yourself in a passenger jeepney and five other friends joined you on the next stop. you feel compelled to pay for their fares. hehehehe!! we are naturally "mabait" and our greatest self-gratification is doing something for our friends for free. more so for our employers. but.. "times-they-are-achanging" as bob dylan would say. these days you gotta think of the rent first.

oh harvey.. im sure you remember the practice of old-when you find yourself in a passenger jeepney and five other friends joined you on the next stop. you feel compelled to pay for their fares. hehehehe!! we are naturally "mabait" and our greatest self-gratification is doing something for our friends for free. more so for our employers. but.. "times-they-are-achanging" as bob dylan would say. these days you gotta think of the rent first.

Hi Basil,
We're really getting off topic here :Grin: I know we all do that - pay for friends. :)

You know, last week, I attended a barcamp (a gathering of geeks) in Ortigas. I let my driver off early and took a taxi home with my daughter. I offered a ride to one of her friends who needed to go back to his office on Ayala Avenue. It was no hassle as it was on the way. He sat in front with the driver, and when he got off, he thanked me, and I said "You're welcome." We said goodnight. When we reached home, I paid the taxi driver and gave him a generous tip, since it was late and I was glad to get home safely. A few minutes later, my daughter's friend texted me to say thanks again for the ride, and that he gave the taxi driver more than the fare from Ortigas to Ayala.

The taxi driver must have had a good laugh that night. :D

Hi Basil,
We're really getting off topic here :Grin: I know we all do that - pay for friends. :)

You know, last week, I attended a barcamp (a gathering of geeks) in Ortigas. I let my driver off early and took a taxi home with my daughter. I offered a ride to one of her friends who needed to go back to his office on Ayala Avenue. It was no hassle as it was on the way. He sat in front with the driver, and when he got off, he thanked me, and I said "You're welcome." We said goodnight. When we reached home, I paid the taxi driver and gave him a generous tip, since it was late and I was glad to get home safely. A few minutes later, my daughter's friend texted me to say thanks again for the ride, and that he gave the taxi driver more than the fare from Ortigas to Ayala.

The taxi driver must have had a good laugh that night. :D

and during these tough economic times, people will take advantage of your generosity. even big corporate entities.

corporate always have a budget so charge them