i'm supposed to be photo-assisting my good friend, we'll say his name is Steve, on a big shoe brand shoot tomorrow and the day after. When he asked me to work, he said the rate was $850/day. I'm also a photographer but had some recent health issues the past year that forced me to take time off so I was looking to try to hustle the last stretch of 2025. Yesterday, two days before the shoot, he said the hours changed and thus the rate had changed from $850 to $650. I was kind of upset but I was like, fine. No worries. I get it. Then... I get an email from production saying my rate is *not* $650: its $650/12 hours. I used to assist and digitech on shoots.... I was like... Steve... what's up with this? Steve responded we can figure it out with the producer the day of the job to which I said, nah. I'm figuring out my rate ***before*** the job. He was kind of pissed and had to get his agent and producers involved on an email. This job is also W4'd meaning taxes are taken out prior. I also gave up an editorial shoot for $650 where i would have been shooting and making work for myself... but I wanted to be a good friend and I promised I'd assist him. The producers emailed back and forth before switching from $650/12, $700/10, to $650 per the full day.... I feel... okay with that in writing since we're getting paid through [Wrapbook.com](http://Wrapbook.com) and every page says $650/10-hour day. Literally every contract. Am i overreacting that my homie should have had my back a lil more?? And is it aggressive to fill my timecard out with 10 hours no matter what? I've been burned in the past when I assisted full time and this feels very reminiscent. When I bring assistants on to work with me, I make sure they are compensated fairly and know ahead of time. I said yes to assisting him thinking I'd walk away with $1,700... now I'm going to make around $370-$400/day. And the worst part is, I gave up my own job because I wanted to be a good friend. I know he's gotta be making $3,000-$5,000/day. He also asked me to work later in the month and said, "Don't worry, I understand if you get a big commercial job $30k, feel free to bail on me." After this stint, I 100% **am** bailing and i would bail even without the "big commercial job". This photographer only shoots events and has been blowing up exponentially the past two-three years. Everyone seems to love them and kiss their ass (me included!!! They are amazing!) but this feels so predatory or at least out of touch. **TL;DR:** Assisting for my friend who told me the rate was $850/day. Two days before the shoot it slid to $650. Then he started getting offended when I pointed out the rate through the production company is "$650/12 hours" meaning I'd get paid $450 and then have taxes taken out as well. Am i overreacting? What can I do to remedy the situation? Kind of don't even want to hang out with them anymore. Please don't downvote me ( • ᴖ • ｡)