friends are great sources for textures... but it depends on what kindof relationship you have with them whether or not youll be comfortable asking them to take photos for textures. as for paying them? hmm.. that depends. for taking photos of rio for a texture, i wouldnt pay her a cent - since the money we make on the tex is for both of us anyways :) but for taking photos of her sister, we agreed to give her $100, since shes a student and could use some money. it all depends on what you want to do with the source material... on the potential i guess. good friends or relatives wont expect any compensation, but if youre doing well with the textures, why not share the wealth? cheers, -gabriel