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to understand that this is an exception and they are getting a nice deal. Otherwise you are just a GWC (guy with camera).

Which brings up the next subject, why are you giving it away? Every image you take should have a business purpose. You are either going to sell some version and rights of that image, or it's for marketing. Going to shoot your cousin's birthday party and give them the shots on a CD? Fine, but add a small watermark in the corner with your website on it. Going to print a few copies for the folks at the office? Get a stamp with your email and website and stamp the back of each one. Then it becomes a marketing piece. (And tax-deductible, but that's another article.)

Of course, this means you always have to do your best work and put your best foot forward. No matter where you are or what you are shooting, act as if it was a paid gig and you are producing a saleable product. You can't give people a bunch of snapshots and tell them it's professional work. On the other hand, don't give it away if you can charge for it. Even a nominal fee is better than no fee. Free stuff has no value to people. Charge them for it and deliver a quality product and they will come back.

If I can get this business off the ground (and it's starting to levitate as we speak), this will be the third completely different business that I have begun. They all have had two things in common. I never passed up an opportunity to get my name in front of people and let them know what I do, and I never gave away something if I could charge for it.

Learn more about this author, Darryl Brooks.
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