Whilst it started from a wish to have a record of concerts attended that was better than a point&shoot, and grew into something else, and I did not do it for these benefits — but it does “pay back” in intangible ways. It has given me a closer and different relationship with the artists. It’s nice!
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Candid photography: “And here’s little Tommy in his horrible-two-year-old phase…”
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Is this relevant though? You are unlikely to have any personal contact with your competition, and the worst they can do is grumble about it.
Also, if @Baldrick does this as a hobby and keeps the volume low, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the local market.
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For me it’s not so much a question if it has real world impact on me but more if i want to be that guy. And as said, it’s something to consider, nothing I have a strict opinion on. Of course, my wording was a bit lax for such ethical questions …
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Advice I’ve read–and felt good about when I was on the receiving end–is this: Either work for free (pro bono) or charge full price, not significantly less than the competition. Pricing your services under market may have the effect of casting you in a bad light, whether done intentionally or through ignorance of current market rates in your area. People may wonder whether you are any good and why your price is so much lower–you get what you pay for.
One way around this is to offer discounts occasionally and under certain circumstances. But, never charge at a significantly below-market rate. My lawyer–who I trust and have a good working relationship with–did some work for me a few years ago, and it became very expensive, very quickly. He kindly offered me a discount, which I think both of us felt pretty good about.
Having said this, I think working for free until you have substantial experience, an impressive portfolio, contracts ready to go, a coherent pricing scheme, etc., etc., is likely the best route.
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There is a lot of valuable advice in this topic but I am wondering if the original premise
still makes sense. From the responses, I get the feeling that establishing a photo business, even a minor one, takes a nontrivial initial investment of time and money. I would say at least $2k and 100 hours until you start earning money, and then, depending on your rates, another 100 hours or so until you break even (considering expenses, insurance, accountant, etc).
So I am wondering if there is a minimal scale for which a business like that makes sense. Maybe doing this a few hours a week is tricky.
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In my instance…
There are just three people (apart from actual pros doing video+stills coverage, and the occasional press guy) that you are very likely to see taking pics here. I think only one charges for their services but it is not their main source of income. We are all mates and get on well together.