There are occasions on which I am approached for photographs and I'm not comfortable charging for them.
This might be because they were taken at an event for which I had media accreditation but no right to sell to competitors. Typically I am approached some time after the event by an owner or competitor, who tells me that they have either bought from the official photographer already and want one of mine as well, or that they have searched through everything available without success and the event organisers have referred them to me as an another option.
The other awkward sort of approach is when a charity wants an image for a good cause. I know there are Charities and there are Registered Charities, so don't imagine for one moment that I am always bending over backwards to give those with pots of cash a cheap deal, but having done my research and considered the use for which the photograph is requested I might be sensitive to their budgets.
In these situations I ask the people who approach me to make a donation on my behalf to an air ambulance.
If they have a local one and like the idea of supporting it that's great, if not, I refer them to my chosen charity, the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.
As a result of this I feel strongly about this petition to give VAT back on Air Ambulance fuel payments which, like all fuel costs, are rising quickly. Lifeboats have been afforded this concession for some time and I cannot see any reason why it should not be extended to Air Ambulances.
If you are a UK resident please consider adding your name to this petition and spreading the word to your friends as well - thank you!
Great cause,they certainly deserve all the help they can get.