I just did my first ever design job for real money. I have designed stuff for my job, but I guess I don't count that bc they pay me for my hours I am there regardles if I design a tee shirt for them or not. I don't get anything extra for my work I guess is what I am getting at.

But for a while my friend Emily has been mentioning to me that she would like me to make a 6' sign for her store. She is the sales manager at her family owned Beer and wine shop. We had a terrible wind storm here a few months back and their sign was destroyed, SO they needed a new one.

Emily is my oldest friend and I remember countless times of sliding down the conveyor belt at her family owned store when we were kids. So I was honored that she was trusting me with the design.

She had a basic concept and I put it all together. She was pleased with the result, and my image will forever be a part of the community I grew up in (since there are limited alcohol license in that area, she has one of the only stores allowed to sell, so its a pretty popular place!)

I am going to post the sign as my next deviation Titledalmer's

Here is my question to you all:
Do you do commission based work? If so how did you get started? And how do you stay professional with things like pricing when a good friend becomes your client?
Since this was my first 'ayed' job, I was really uncomfortable bringing up the pricing. I kinda brought it on myself. I was just so excited to do the project that I didn't mention pricing up front. And after that it felt awkward. In the end we did arrange a compensation for my work, but not without some serious stress on my end as to how to present it and what to ask for.
In the end I set a standard for myself as far as future pay goes. I told Em what that was but told her I was doing this as a friend and to help my career so I was willing to negotiate, which we did.

So any tips or advise for future endeavors and stories of experience re welcome too!