I have a few clients that I don’t bill my normal corporate rate for. There are a few non-profit groups that get a special rate, and a rare few charities that get my pro bono work. Why? Well, sometimes it is better to help a worthy cause. Sometimes you will gain more from helping them in the long run (like networking with bigger, better clients during your non-profit help).
If they are making a buck, you should expect to make a buck. But groups that are on shoestring budgets, trying harder to help or educate the community rather than making a huge profit, well, they deserve some help. And, I feel good helping them. I know that I’m doing something positive with my talents.
And it’s not like there aren’t other ways to get a few perks. Some of the clients throw nice fundraising events with fancy food, and I get to join them. Some have services that I can use for free, in exchange for being part of their “family”. Some have given me access to cool rock stars or important people. It doesn’t always have to be just about money. Some clients can be judged by more than just the paycheck you bring home from them.
This was the case today… The oldest boy was away at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, but the wife and two other boys were sitting at home. I had a shoot scheduled for a really cool and fun museum, and I can usually get them in to any of the exhibits for free.
So, I loaded up the posse and let them enjoy the afternoon with me. After I was done working, I joined them and we toured all the dinosaur stuff, let our middle boy dig in the sand (you can “hunt” for fossils), and played with a bunch of really neat displays and projects. It was a good time. We all loved it a lot!
Heck, even if we had to pay, it still would have been worth it. It was a fun place and a fun day. But that’s not the point of this blog. Just remember to weigh all the factors when deciding if you’re going to work with a client and whether they will receive any sort of special rate.
I know one photographer that shoots for an airline in exchange for free tickets anywhere/anytime. Not exactly a non-profit organization, but the point is that he actually gets a better deal than if he billed them for money and then purchased tickets like a regular customer.
Speaking of deals to make with clients, I have heard of a few other non-cash deals to go down here and there. I have heard of some photogs that shoot for firearms manufacturers that have had the rifles/shotguns transfered to them instead of taking a check.
Not a bad deal to get a $1200 shotgun instead of a $600 check (if you want/need that sort of thing). Or, I’ve heard of people shooting for camera or lighting companies in exchange for free photo gear instead of money. Again, you’d get more gear than if you’d bought it outright with the money you could’ve charged from the shoot.
I bet these kind of deals go on all the time, though I have always limited them to charities and non-profits. Maybe it’s because the right client hasn’t come along yet. Heck, if I shot for Porsche or Ferrari, you know I’d try to work out a trade!!!