Well thank you, Tom, for resurrecting this thread or I may not have seen it, and I find it extremely interesting and well-worth the read. To add to what Tom and a few others stated in response to Karen’s article, I do not agree with charging someone to investigate their house for paranormal activity, especially if it is a convenient location; meaning it is easily accessible to you without going out of your way or causing an expense for you to gather more “practice” and (hopefully) documentation of paranormal activity to add to your research.

That being said, since I advertise that I will investigate for free, I will do what it takes in order to travel throughout the USA in order to conduct an investigation on behalf of someone that contacts me asking for help. Three times I was asked to travel to Florida, Washington (state) and California for private, personal investigations – from Ohio. I was more than willing to rearrange my work schedule to fly out and meet these people, and after a month’s worth of emails, signed forms, and telephone conversations we came to the agreement that they would pay for my flights. One of the people offered to pay for my hotel and food as well, but I declined. When “in talks” I mention that a donation to assist with the high cost of travel would be appreciated but is not required, I also explain that I will continue with the investigation regardless, and as usual they will receive a copy of the full report, photos with explanations, video and voice recordings. The people choosing not to pay for anything doesn’t hinder my interest of the “case” or my motivation to assist them as sincere people asking for help. Some may feel that is wrong, but it is not a service I feel should be paid for; though in asking someone to up and travel across the USA (I usually suggest local groups/investigators to them first as well as helping them via email/phone), it is only reasonable and courteous to offer a donation to the high-costs. Now there have been times where I have chosen to up and go to Cali for investigations, and when I was out there I offered to do the private home investigations for some people I was talking to via email. Be as it may…or may not!

Considering ghost “hunting” or investigating has been going on for hundreds and hundreds of years, the industry itself is nothing “new”. Recently, most likely since Ghost Hunters, then Most Haunted, then Ghost Adventures, now Ghost Lab and Extreme Paranormal, amongst other ghost shows (the new fad!!), a lot of people are forming ghost hunting groups for the sake of being like TAPS, etc. There isn’t anything wrong with that, but the uncontrollable actions of some groups who are not that familiar with the paranormal, scientific equipment and plain ol’ respect for grounds owners and historic buildings make it difficult for those of us who have been investigating for years and years. I started 13 years ago and noticed with the new fad and tons of “empty requests” by new groups, it is more difficult to get into places for private investigations unless you actually have a professional paranormal “resume” to show them. I thin it is taking a toll on the industry in general, but like everything else the fad groups will pass and the people who are serious in and seriously interested in investigated in the paranormal will continue as we have been all along.

I have had quite a few people contact me for advice or suggestions pertaining to their new ghost hunting group, or just the idea of ghost hunting in general. I’m using the term “ghost hunting” loosely, and I’m aware some people feel there is a difference between being a ghost hunter and investigator. Personally, I don’t feel there is a difference, but you get my point… I am all for taking new hunters under my wing, but the problem is most new hunters (I’ve found them to be aged 16-25) tend to be a little less ghost hunting intelligent in that they want to think (like Tom said) that double exposures are ghosts, rain drops are orbs, and that common sense things that can easily and intelligently debunked is all evidence of ghosts. When you try to explain to them how to investigate intelligently, debunk things, to be their own biggest skeptics, how to properly use the equipment, cameras and set the cameras on the correct speed/function, they tend to get offended. So if anyone comes to me for help in that sense anymore, I give them suggestions of what we do and kind of end it with a “it’s your decision, take it or leave it”. That is also the reason I do not have my own actual group and no longer belong to a group. Usually it is just my husband and me investigating, but we will at times investigate places with a few other people who I trust to do a good, thorough and honest (smart) job. Unfortunately, too many people (beginners and some in the field for some time) are too desperate to get anything and everything paranormal and it results in a non-paranormal results. But, at this point in time, until the fad passes there’s not too much we can do other than what we’ve been doing – giving suggestions, maintaining forums like this one, and voicing what we do and how we’re successful in the hopes that someone will read what we say and how we do things, and follow in our steps.

The thing that irritates me the most are the people who do investigations illegally. They watch the places that TAPS and these other groups on TV go to, and if they either trespass to investigate illegally or they are turned down after asking for permission and still feel the need to trespass. It’s just so disrespectful to the industry and those of us who have been following the rules, being respectful to everyone and “everything”, conducting serious research, and helping people. I’ve always asked for permission to investigate private grounds and I’ve always been granted that permission. I tend to get a lot of people asking me to get them on the grounds and I refuse. I may sound like the stuff, snobby ghost hunter, but if they want the mature, ‘professional’ task of labeling themselves as ghost hunters, then contact the people yourself with your own letter and ask for permission.

Phew… Got some ghost hunting anxiety off my chest there! More to come…later…maybe!

Have a good day, and thanks for reading/listening!

Becky

SIDE NOTE: I should have said I used to advertise that I would investigate private homes, and my site is now updated not to say that. It doesn't say I won't, but I have turned it into more of a documentary blog type site. Most of the time people come to me and I help them (personally) find a group or investigator local to them and I will talk to that investigator or group before I put them in touch with the person who contacted me for help. So I don't get as many requests to investigate private homes like I used to, since I prefer not to do that, but I never, ever ignore anyone who contacts me for help in any way.