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11/11/2003 05:59:09 PM · #1 |
Hi all, Forgive me if this has been covered already; please direct me to the thread.
I have been asked to shoot a photo to be used for a CD cover. They would like around 12 photos total to choose from and may possible use them all for various advertising. They want all 12 on a cd. I am to maintain all shots in the original format in my files for future usage. There are two photo sessions involved. One at the studio and the other at the coffeehouse where they will be performing.
What's a fair price? I am located in the Midwest.
Thanks for any help. |
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11/11/2003 06:39:12 PM · #2 |
The short answer is that a "fair" price is likely more than your clients can afford.
I suggest conducting a Forum Search using the word "Charge." |
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11/11/2003 06:57:26 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Marjo:
Hi all, Forgive me if this has been covered already; please direct me to the thread.
I have been asked to shoot a photo to be used for a CD cover. They would like around 12 photos total to choose from and may possible use them all for various advertising. They want all 12 on a cd. I am to maintain all shots in the original format in my files for future usage. There are two photo sessions involved. One at the studio and the other at the coffeehouse where they will be performing.
What's a fair price? I am located in the Midwest.
Thanks for any help. |
You should search the forums. I agree with GeneralE that for a struggling band, a fair price is likely out of their budget.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you can get for it and whether that is worth it to you. What usage rights do they get? What rights do you retain? Do you get credit on the CD insert? If so, where? How big? Is this something you can use as a self promotion piece? How many CD's are they planning to sell?
Whatever you decide, DON'T SELL YOURSELF SHORT! Too many people starting out charge way too little for the product they provide. Even though this may just be a "hobby" for most of us here, there is no reason you should not profit from it if you can. Making money is not bad. It is good. It's a way to make this pay for itself or at least to offset some of the cost.
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11/11/2003 07:00:49 PM · #4 |
Is the client a family friend or a business contact? Depending on that the price should vary significantly. If they've come to you through a recommendation you should reflect that reciprocatively through price.
Is it your first job? If so, then you are learning as well as delivering the results so, again, I'd go in with reasonable figure. If you could be earning while doing this shoot then work out your financial sacrifice and add a bit on for your creativity!
There's no harm in them feeling they've got a bargain either - they may come back for more - but just make sure you feel you have just reward for your efforts, and that it doesn't look to cheap'n'cheerful.
Edit: Spazmo's comments are v. useful! ; )
Message edited by author 2003-11-11 19:01:34.
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11/11/2003 10:23:13 PM · #5 |
Thanks for the responses and good info. I am just going to have to sit down and compile myself some guidelines following the good tips received here.
I have only had a few paid assignments (one was in gift certificates) and each time I struggled to come up with a fee. I quoted low and they were very happy; they were beaming after they got their finished product. So, I know I'm too low. I am getting referrals, though.
Jon, I am not sure what you mean. Should a discount be given when someone comes to you from a recommendation?
Since I am learning on-the-job, for the most part, it is difficult to see myself as a professional.
Marjo
Marjo |
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11/12/2003 12:51:34 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Marjo:
Jon, I am not sure what you mean. Should a discount be given when someone comes to you from a recommendation? |
If someone came to me and said "John Smith said you might be able to handle this job for me" I might give them a discount, especially if JS is a friend or business associate or in a position to do me a favor sometime.
I think it psychologically reinforces that both of you are legitimate businesses who have heard of and respect each other; you sort of become each others' references.
Of course if JS is BS you might want to dissociate yourself from the whole matter .... |
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11/12/2003 04:17:55 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Marjo:
I quoted low and they were very happy; they were beaming after they got their finished product. So, I know I'm too low. I am getting referrals, though.
Jon, I am not sure what you mean. Should a discount be given when someone comes to you from a recommendation? |
Firstly, yes - as GeneralIE puts it below. It seems fair that if someone is willing to respond through a referral then they deserve a form of discount.
Secondly, just because people beam when they get the quote doesn't mean it's too low! They probably think they've got good value and may recommend you. After all, when do you gauge you've pitched it right- when they stop smiling and draw a sharp breath? I'd rather my clients were happy. ; )
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11/12/2003 08:29:03 AM · #8 |
I was thinking about ways you could reduce the $$$ you charge while still not selling yourself short and came up with another idea or two.
Are they willing to have extra CD inserts printed so you can use them as promotional material? The cost to add a few hundred to a large print run should be small. Then you can hand them out when asked for samples of your work.
Can you get a commitment from them for other paid work? Such as shooting them live or future album covers or whatever?
As long as you feel happy with the deal, then go for it!
Let us know how it goes.
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11/12/2003 10:16:07 AM · #9 |
After all, when do you gauge you've pitched it right- when they stop smiling and draw a sharp breath? I'd rather my clients were happy. ; )
Jon, Good point!
Are they willing to have extra CD inserts printed so you can use them as promotional material? The cost to add a few hundred to a large print run should be small. Then you can hand them out when asked for samples of your work.
Spazmo99, I didn't even think of that. Great idea! I assumed I would get a copy or two of the CD and then run my own prints. Makes $ense to negotiate it into the deal up front.
Thanks, |
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11/12/2003 10:51:07 AM · #10 |
I've been struggling with pricing lately. Bottom line is, if you have to ask then you're inexperienced. I'm assuming you don't have access to professional equipment (by this I mean a medium format camera or a Canon 1Ds or the like, which would be the tools of a normal working professional portrait photographer). If you're charging $100/hr and show up with your F717 someone is eventually going to be very angry.
Think of it as an opportunity to build a portfolio. That is critical in working towards a goal of charging more for a service you will hopefully eventually handle like a professional should, at prices that are industry standard or at least worth your while. It's one thing be able to take good photos. It's another entirely to do it with the pressure of showing up as a photographer when you're getting paid.
Charge less than you'd want for this one, do a good job and look at it as just another step to building a working portfolio. Word of mouth is gold in this business. They'll know other bands. Good luck with it.
James. |
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11/12/2003 02:54:06 PM · #11 |
| Another strategy is to give them a "first-time customer discount." If you think $200 is the most you can charge, write the invoice for $300 and give them a $100 discount. They'll be appreciative, and are more likely to be repeat customers or referrers, while acknowledging what the "real" price is. |
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11/12/2003 03:36:52 PM · #12 |
a fair price would involve knowledge of how big the print run is, how long are you assigning rights of use, and how many different mediums( billboards, advertising, packaging, internet) are you allowing the photo to be used?
Here is an example.
I once had to get a quote for stock usage. It was a 5 year international license. I could use the photo for everything EXCEPT advertsing and billboards. It was $100,000 per image. People always sell themselves short when they are starting out. |
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11/12/2003 05:58:16 PM · #13 |
Go to //www.editorialphotographers.com/ and click on "Cost of Doing Business database". You can see that the DAILY cost for a professional photographer in 2001 is $228.30. That's the minimum he must charge just to walk out the door! You should charge accordingly. You'll also find some good contracts at this site. Don't do business without a contract for your own protection.
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