Hi all, wow. I didn't check here 'til now 'cause I didn't fream I'd spark this.
OK, to clarify a few things.
1) Entirely my equipment
2) Entirely on my own time
Eg. the concerts are generally held at 7pm - teachers volunteer their time - there is NO overtime, allowances etc. (apart from sometimes a few packs of biscuits are layed out)
3) It is not the principal who asks, it is often the kids themselves or the teacher organising who will do the asking.
4) I place the pics on the school's server - we are all warned that photos should only be used within school and / or for educational purposes... Within the metadata, my name and a copyright message is placed allowing use within school and/or educational purposes. I really think that a commercial photographer making $$$ is outside of this...
I have never asked for $$$.
I have never been given money, time off in leiu etc. Except, there was one time when I was asked to take pics and I was given that period off (relieved by another). That I considered a form of payment (in kind) and acknowledged (in my mind) that they have a claim.
However, if I do it after school, in my own lunchtime (or other free time) etc. then, I believe this to be an entirely different matter.
I would very much doubt that photography (in my free time) could be considered a requirement of my normal duty (especially the requirement for me to supply my own camera).
There may well be the issue of releases from the girls pictured as well (again, I doubt the general waiver the parents sign about pictures at school should apply to a third party commercial enterprise).
Again, I don't expect payment... I just consider it rude; and if I am entitled to some $$$ from the photographer, I wouldn't mind if it went to the school library, a charity etc. Just not into a commercial photographer's pocket.
Scotty