Free Photography

you are....

Yes you are breaking the rules, but wish you all the luck in the world

Sorry!!!

Could someone point me towards where I should have posted this please?

No where. you are advertising your business, which is not allowed

I am sure most will disagree, but I never see this type of post as advertising as the OP has not banded their website about unasked for nor are they selling something, as they are offering their services for free! So it could be classed as a RAHK really ?

I know rules need to be in place to stop the site from becoming over run with advertisements, but I do like to think these sort of offers are great as there are always plenty of couples who can not afford a professional photographer so it benefits both parties. But that is just my opinion.

Good luck with your new venture, my sister in laws boyfriend is in the same position as you and I have suggested that he too do a few 'freebies' to build up a portfolio.

I can't find the forum guidelines, am I being daft or are they tucked away somewhere? I did look for them before I posted without any luck, just had another look with the same result. I don't want to become a serial offender by accident ?

I don't actually think the rules are on the website now. We recently got redecorated so to speak and the website changed and since then I've not seen them either. The rules used to say that unless someone posted asking for help on a specific issue then people couldn't post their website.

Because no one asked for a free photographer although since the rules can't be found no one is to know what they can and can't do.

I have looked for the rules recently too and they definitely disappeared after the refurb - I have asked for them to be put back but to no avail!

I have to say that I always thought that this type of post was OK. I thought you weren't allowed to advertise unsolicited if you were charging for a service but that if you were offering a service free of charge it was OK. Bit like a RAHK. I know certainly in this past this sort of post has been acceptable and a few photographers in here (not all still around) started and build their business by offering free weddings to Hitched brides.

As a photographer, I do have to caveat that those looking to take this offer up should think very carefully about whether they are prepared to risk not getting great wedding photos. However, I know that there are some brides our there that have very little money to spend on their wedding and this could be a solution for them. I suspect in this case they would get better photographs with this offer than using a student from a local college because the OP says he currently has a portrait business so should have some experience of social photography at least (ask to see his portrait portfolio).

Just a worn of warning, for anyone that has already booked a photographer and thinks this would be a good way to get another photographer for free, make sure you discuss it with your original photographer first as many would not be happy working with some else (get in the way of each others shots) and could even have something in their contract restricting this.

WPutterill, good luck with this and I hope you manage to expand your business successfully.

Good advice there which I wholeheartedly agree with.

I am happy to show anyone interested some samples of my work, including some I recently shot at an Annabel Williams wedding course. I am also a member of the BIPP and the SWPP and have full insurance cover (indemnity and liability).

I should also clarify that the offer is to couples who do not have a photographer already, although if there are any photographers reading this that would like a second shooter for free I am willing to consider that

Ok, I have to ask (before I have another sleepless night!), what does RAHK mean?

?

And thanks to all of you for the kind words, I must admit this is the gentlest flaming I have seen on any forum - must be nice people on here

RAHK means Random Act of Hitched Kindness. There also used to be a list of what the abbreviations meant but that has gone as well.

Here is a run down.

WWYD - What would you do

TMI - Too much information

HTH - Hope that helps

HIB- Hitcher in business

AIBU - Am I being unreasonable

PIL - Parents in law

MIL2b- Mother in law to be

So I HTH to understand the forum.

Excellent - thanks Lyns - after 8 months of hitching I wanted to know what some meant as well ?

Yeah - you've got off pretty well WPutteril - most people are nice and polite some people are a wee bit harsh!

Thanks you, I like it! I'm all for a bit more kindness in the world, I remember how stressful our wedding was and how a little bit of kindness went a long way when we were feeling it worst.

W Putterill - I've sent you a PM (private message) !

i cant imagine who you are talking about?

I just wanted to say thanks to those people who have emailed me so far, It's a pity that all the dates have been too far in the future so far for my needs, but I wish you all the best with your weddings.

I did find this site which may be of use to some of you though - http://www.photogra-free.com (I hope it's ok to post that address, it's nothing to do with me but I thought it may help those on a very tight budget).