Free work for family?

you never charge family i know i would never do it i could not sleep if i charged my mom or dad or sister or brother if any thign just dont so the work but never charge your love ones

 

i have the same delema im a professional photographer and my family expects me to take family photos for them but i dont even like portrait photography. on top of that they expect to get everything free. well they pretty much do i just charge them what i get charged for the prints.  i think its the least i can do, i enjoy having the photos of my family and i would never expect them to have to go somewhere else to get them done.  now friends r a different story they may get a discount depending on what they have to offer me in return. 
this is just my two cents on the whole thing.
you could also think of it as free advertisement.

 

Just tell her you don't have time to do things for her, you are trying to earn a living. If she pays the same then it is a different story. Family or not, your survival comes first.

 

They should offer to pay. if they offer then i typically refuse the offer and make a gift out of it. If they dont offer I remember that next time and seem to find myself swamped with work or something and just cant find the time to help em out.

Since I dont have brothers or sisters this is the rule i use with my friends.

 

I personally agree with Lindsay. I'm an electrician and wired my moms basement and charged her for my labor hours. I charged her less than I would charge non family of course but I charged her none the less. I think that if you do work for family that is what you do for a career then you have the right to ask for payment. I'm a journeyman electrician and I expect to be compensated for my professional work. Not to say I always charge family because I don't, i've done plenty of small stuff, change a light, outlet, etc. for family for free. Helping family move some furniture or mow their yard is one thing, but working for them on your free time, giving them professional grade results, is another.
Family aside I think that if someone offers to get you something for dinner you should assume they would pay for it. I would.

Whether or not you do it for free or want to get paid, I think she should at least have the courtesy to offer to pay you. If you take the money or do it for charity is your decision.

 

Sounds like she is taking advantage of you big time. She should offer to pay you for your work. After all while your doing her photos and paintings you could be doing someone elses and making a pay check. I have seen some of your work and it is realy good.

 

I hear what you're saying. I'm an auto mechanic and general contractor and my family does the same thing. I hear from them when somethings broke and they don't want to spend anything to fix it. They assume i'll fix it...and I usually do, but when I hand them the bill for the parts only. I get the look like I sprouted a 3rd eye or something. However if I need someone to let out our dogs when we can't...it's a major inconvenience. Glad for friends!!!!

 

You pick your friends not your family. Old saying but true , real friends will always be there ,family thats another story. Your sister needs a lesson in being grateful. One thing you never do as an artist though is not sign your work. If she wants paintings for free , well then your name will be on them . As for not buying you dinner , come on . I have a brother who I love to death but I only hear from when he needs something but I have come to deal with that because family is family. Just don't let them walk all over you. Like mthomp said just be to busy next time and see if she gets the point. Good luck

 

I think it is very telling that she won't let you sign your work. Time for a foot to descend?

 

Unbelievable.  Knowing your current situation and hers, she should ask you to do work for her and pay full price at the very least.  And not being able to sign your work?  Take back your work and put your initials on it.  You will feel better about it and maybe it will make her think about why you did it. 

 

I would sit down and talk with her, behavior like this usually means theres an underlying issue. Your time is a valiable thing, everyone's is. Doing small things for family is great and builds good bonds, even a couple free paintings were she just covers the supplies to show your love. But for her to ask you to do it for free and ask you not to mark is as your own means she doesn't respect your time and talent.

 

I am lucky I guess. My whole family helps each other out no mater what. we always remember that if you need a favor you will eventualy have do a favor in return. but if my brother did what your sister is doing first thing i would kick his *** second i would go into his house and take all my paintings and photographs back. i would tell him that i leased them to him at a discount and the lease is up and if he wants to keep them he will have to pay full price. at the very least i would let him know to never ask me for anything again

 

also if I had a family member who could paint and draw good I would want them to put there name on everything they made for me, because I would be proud of there talent and i would want everyone who sees it to know that they are a member of my family

 

Agreed.  She is your sister, but that doesn't mean you are obliged to let her use you.  If you want to do things for her, be very clear of what is expected beforehand.  Maybe tell her the discounted rate for family/close friends is X amount, payable upon completion etc.  Be very clear, get it in writing, or do whatever you would do with anyone buying your work.  Sign your work!  She has no right to say you can't, cripes!  Its your creation, be proud of it and don't give it to someone undeserving, even if she is your sister.  She sounds a bit self-absorbed and uncaring of your situation.......