How much would you charge? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/15/2005 04:06:18 PM · #1

I've been invited to photograph a B and B to use in their advertising and on their website. I've never done this type of thing before, for profit that is. I don't have all the details but I am assuming it will entail 15-20 interiors and maybe 8 - 10 exteriors. I'll end up shooting more of course, but I'm thinking that's a good number to base my price on. What would you charge? I know it will vary from location to location due to local economics but I'd like to get a feel for what I can ask for without insulting the client. Can anyone help? I should have checked around locally earlier before everything closed.

Thanks,

Owen

Nuno

Nikon D700

04/15/2005 04:45:28 PM · #2

What does B and B means?

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/15/2005 04:47:08 PM · #3

Originally posted by Nuno:

What does B and B means?

bed and breakfast, typically with a bit more charm than a hotel/motel

aronya1

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

04/15/2005 04:51:33 PM · #4

Originally posted by skiprow:

Originally posted by Nuno:
What does B and B means?

bed and breakfast, typically with a bit more charm than a hotel/motel

And without the adventure of a no-tell motel...

DanSig

04/15/2005 04:55:54 PM · #5

it all depends on what type of work it is, do you take one place each day, or all in one go ?

do you want to charge by the hour or for each print ?

where I live the photographers association has issued a list with all types of publishing and what should be paid for each print.

I looked up some prices, for an advertisment (the photo) that is 1/8 of a newspaper page and the supply of the paper exceeds 50.000 copies then the price for each print should be $260, if the picture is 1/2 page then the price is $418, for a frontpage of the newspaper theen the price is $930.

all those prices are for one print, if the advertisment is printed more than one day, then 1/2 price should be paid every day after the first full payment

for internet use then these are the prices :
INTERNET OG INTRANET

Valid time ----------3 m.----6 m.----12 m.----36 months

Photo 100x100 pix $53------$73------$146------$292

Photo 200x200 pix 4.310----5.748----11.495----22.991

Photo 300x300 pix 5.173----6.897----13.794----27.589

Photo 400x400 pix 5.949----7.932----15.864----31.728

Photo 500x500 pix 6.841----9.121----18.243----36.487

Photo 600x600 pix 7.867----10.490----20.979----41.960

Background Photo 2.587----3.449----6.897----13.794

Frontpage photo <400x400 pix
8.047----11.956----13.794----27.589

Frontpage photo >400x400 pix
13.794----17.243----20.117----40.234

I changed the currency in the first line.
Just multiply the number with 0,015863 to get US$
These prices are in Icelandic krona ISK

04/15/2005 04:59:40 PM · #6

Commercial Photography rates very a good base is $100.00 per hour and $50.00 to $75.00 per image depending on the type licence you are giving the client, one time use or indefinate.

04/15/2005 05:04:16 PM · #7

B&B's tend not to have a large budget, so becareful of pricing your self out of the job. See if you can find out what there budget is and then decide if you want to work for that. Maybe you could include a trade for a few weekends also. Once you start doing it full time then you can charge more.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/15/2005 05:08:31 PM · #8

Charge what you are worth not just to get the job, if you price yourself low it is harder to get the top money jobe. If the client wants top quality they will pay for it. Check out what commercial photographers make in NY, LA, Chacigo etc. It is better to do one job for a lot of money than a lot of jobs for little money. If your work is good you can get top the top money for your work.

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

04/15/2005 05:17:27 PM · #9

I would do it for the exposure, experience, portfolio shots, and a few free weekends at the B&B. But I'm not a pro and I have no goals to be one. I wouldn't mind making a little money from photography so that it can pay for itself... but I'm essentially a hobbiest. If I were to charge anyone for photos, it would be clear that I do not consider myself a pro and they would be getting the photos on a cd to do with whatever they please.

I guess it sounds like it depends on how you want to present yourself now and in the future.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/15/2005 05:19:08 PM · #10

Originally posted by sofap:

Yea, this is all well and good, but when your new and untried in a field, if you wnat to develope new leads in that field, sometimes it is better to get the job and experience. You can always trade for some benefits to get what your worth. You need to create a win/win. If you do you will be referred many times over. Think long term, not short range.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

04/15/2005 05:30:17 PM · #11

Originally posted by sofap:

I'd agree with that and if they are paying clients don't be afraid to charge.

Negotiate, suggest different billing options, that are fair and leave wiggle room so they don't choke and end the deal when you say...."I usually charge $350 a day".

"but since you're such nice people..."

Message edited by author 2005-04-15 17:31:44.

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

04/15/2005 05:41:48 PM · #12

I worked with an architectural photographer a few years ago and he charged $200/hr and takes approx 2-2.5 hours per room for 1 shot. He shoots large format though and sets up between 5-10 lights per room, including small spots and highlight lights.

I would recommend charging an hourly rate and give them an estimate on how long it will take to shoot a typical room. I'm willing to bet that they don't actually need every room shot. Most likely they will only want the master rooms, maybe a smaller room, a hot tub shot or something similar, exterior, dining room or great room (whichever they have)

I'm assuming that most of the images will be printed in a brochure/foldout that is specifically info about the BB. And the advertising will most likely be localized in magazines/newspapers. And the small images will prob just be on there personal website. Most BB's don't have the budget or the market to advertise nationaly.

04/15/2005 05:42:02 PM · #13

Still and all if you sell your work cheep the client will expect that every time. You could give a discount to first time clients but show the full billing so they know what you charge. When I started I sold my work cheep, and that was the type of clients I got. When I moved to Chicago and saw what other commercial photographers were charging I raised my rates, this was in the late 60 early 70s. It didnâ��t tale long for the clients to start coming around. If you can build a good client base of few steady clients keep them happy the word will spread. Keeping up good and professional quality work will insure you steady work. Donâ��t get caught up doing every job that comes along it is quality not quantity that counts. Yes it will take longer to get established this way however you will establish a higher grade of clients and do better in the ling run.

04/15/2005 05:53:04 PM · #14

Gee it seems like you guys forgot what it was like doing your first paid job. All the advice is great for a seasoned pro. I have done this type of work for over 20 years not and I can tell you that I charge a lot more now that I did for the first job. I am NOT suggesting to give ti away, but you have to know your market and you have to know the business of photography too. B&B's tend not to have the budget as say a Best Western or a Hilton. Since he was invited, I assume that he knows the client a little and he probably can find out what they have as a budget. If he has that info first then he is in the drivers seat. Once he gets his feet wet then things will be different. Your fees can go up a lot faster if youhave published work to show your next client.

04/15/2005 05:58:19 PM · #15

Thanks for your thoughts. Great insight. Very much appreciated indeed.

04/15/2005 06:02:29 PM · #16

As ericlimon said it takes time to set up commercial shots, and you would more than likely use 4x5 or at least 2 Â¼ for the shots. If they are for 4 color separations in a high quality publication 450dpi is a must. All the time and equipment needed to produce a high quality image costs money, your investment and talent is a large part of what the client is paying for.

Why look only at the low end of the market look higher. A B&B most likely has a small budget so make the most of what they can afford. Producing only one image that knocks their sox off is going to be more impressive than a lot of good images. Leave the client wanting more and see if they donâ��t increase the budget the next time. As a photographer you some times need to educate your client. If they have only been paying say $25.00 for a shot then that is what they think it costs. When they see the difference between a snap shot and a photograph they will be willing to pay.

jensmustang

Canon PowerShot S2 IS

04/15/2005 06:04:12 PM · #17

I agree on that you have know the market and deffintely call around and get bids from other that would go do the same job to see what they would charge,,,I had my first phot shoot yesterday on my own that was really exciting,,as for me I had no idea what to charge so I called up a friend of mine this is in the business,,,Its very exciting and great money,,and a great way to make money doing something you love.

Lensbaby 1.0 (The Original)

04/15/2005 06:11:28 PM · #18

Originally posted by sofap:

Like I said, I have been in that market for the past 20 years, and only the top, tip top of the market, ie; Hilton and those big boys, use 4x5 or even 2 1/4. for 90 to 95% of the market a good 6 megapixle dslr will be plenty. Most of the clients do need educated, especailly with useage rights. Most won't pay for the heavy duty 4x5 equipment, and about 90% of the 4 color process is only 300dpi, and very few larger that 5x7. Yes there is always the exception, but not in the B&B market, where he has the job.

alanbataar

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

04/15/2005 09:44:51 PM · #19

GWPHOTO: you've hit it on the head: a 6mp cam will reproduce 7x10 at 300 DPI (which is on the high-end for print production) and 10x15 at 200 DPI (which is the normal resolution for print production).

There are 2 times this becomes an issue: when the client wants to run that FABULOUS horizontal shot full bleed across a spread, which is 11x17 (plus a little for bleed), assuming a letter-size trim. The second time is when you or your client want to "blow up" i.e. crop tightly on an image and quality suffers.

A suggestion is that while you're familiarizing yourself with the layout of a room, wander around and bang off a bunch of quirky little vinettes that characterize that particular space: how does the southern-exposure sunlight fall across the antique writing desk in the corner; the included scented candle in the oversize whirlpool bath; the hand-made quilt on the feather bed. You get the idea... it only takes a few minutes, and it virtually eliminates the need to crop images to get different compositions.

Regarding the cost of these, I would suggest that you make them a line item that has a modest, but not insignificant price. These low-investment shots add a huge amount of value to the B&B because they can really communicate the "vibe" of the place. The graphic designer (my day job) will LOVE you for providing more images: they will likely be used small, so they don't have to be tack-sharp or exquisitely exposed. In case you can't tell, I couldn't disagree more about leaving your client wanting -- they'll want to use someone who satisfies their every need next time. Don't forget that this is a service industry.

And, don't worry so much about the price of the whole job -- I'd suggst that you bill by the hour, or even flat rate because billing by the image will cause the B&B to restrict their purchase, and it's better for your reputation to have more images published, assuming they're good images.

04/15/2005 11:05:54 PM · #20

I found out that the client wants to promote her accomodations to corporate and government agencies for retreats and other such functions. She'll be using brochures and presentation sized posters probably.

Once in the hands of the graphic designer, will they convert the images to CMYK or will that be left for the printer to do? And will a RIP be able to res up the images enough for larger posters?

e301

04/16/2005 04:37:10 AM · #21

If it's going to a graphic designer I'd make a swift phone call to find out what she/he wants or prefers. If they're serious they'll have Genuine Fractals or something for up-sizing and the like - but a quick chat with them will make sure you're producing that best stuff to suit the whole process - and it might give you another contact ;-)

E