How much should I charge for jewelry photography?

05/17/2010 08:51:24 AM · #1

I'm going to reply to the following ad and I would like some help in determining what kind of rate I should provide them. My first thought is to attempt to quantify how much post processing work they require, but I would prefer to give them the information that they are requesting from the start.

How would you respond and/or what rates would you quote them? Here's the ad:

We are currently seeking a jewelry photographer who has amazing retouching capabilities. The individual being sought will have at least 3 years professional photography experience and be extremely knowledgeable with Photoshop.

Must be capable of shooting at least 50-100+ images per week.

To apply, please email sample work and rates for volume work with â��Jewelry Photographerâ�� in the subject line.

I appreciate your help.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

05/17/2010 08:55:08 AM · #2

They want up to 100 images shot a week, so just ask for the amount you want to earn for a weeks work

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/17/2010 09:47:21 AM · #3

I shoot single shoes for a friend's catalogue twice a year, usually around 100. I charge $25 a shot, but it's a pretty quick process as I just set up the lights & camera, then it's just a matter of hitting the shutter button as I move the shoes through.

I estimate for each shoe:

3 min to get laces right, stuff, set down,
15 min to photoshop, make sure b/g is solid white, crop, size a web copy, size a print copy, make sure it looks good.

Good luck. I like doing product shots as the products don't bitch about their hair, makeup, or being fat, and I don't have to tell them how awesome they look.

MacDonald

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/17/2010 09:59:04 AM · #4

I photographed jewelery for an estate (about 40 pieces) and found it to be one of the most difficult tasks ever. Large auction houses and fine jewelry stores pay a small fortune for that type of photography. Not that I got paid that much.

My research showed it ranked among the highest paid type of photography as it requires an excellent macro lens, a light tent and the patience of a saint, especially when it comes to reflective stones with many facets. You might want to research what they are paying in your area.

I would also suggest that you compile various items of jewelry, photograph it and see how long it takes you.

Message edited by author 2010-05-17 09:59:42.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

05/17/2010 10:29:30 AM · #5

Thanks for the replies so far.

Strikeslip, $25 per shot, huh? That's sounds pretty good for under 20 minutes of work per shot before delivery.

Saker, I've done a bit of it for friends who wanted shots to put on Ebay and I have a fair understanding of the complexities. Where would I go to find out what they are paying for such a specific type of photography in my area?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

05/17/2010 10:51:22 AM · #6

100+ images a week? "Amazing retouching capabilities"? There's a red flag waving in my head... At 30 mins/image, 100 images is 50 hrs/week... How do you do "amazing retouching" at less than 30 mins/image, when you include the shooting, downloading, and organizing time? So that's looking like a full-time job.

Ergo: be sure you price it as one. And ask yourself, "Do I really want to spend the forseeable future cooped up in my iddy-biddy studio room doing the same thing over and over again?"

For me, this would reach a level of nit-picking obsessiveness that I'm not sure I could tolerate...

R.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/17/2010 11:05:33 AM · #7

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I did consider this, although I hadn't yet reached the conclusion that this would be a 50 hour a week job.

I value everybody's input and even though I asked for it, I already sent them a reply. I didn't want to miss out on the opportunity because I hesitated and somebody else jumped on it. At the same time I wanted to make sure that I didn't commit myself to something without fully understanding what the expectations are.

This an excerpt from what I sent them that addresses their expectations:

snip
I am considering your last requirement for application: rates for volume work. To be fair to both of us I would like to attempt to quantify how much editing you require for the jewelry pictures. Will your editing requirements be to simply show the detail and beauty of the jewelry? Would you like minor imperfections and blemishes removed? Do you need the images of the pieces to be seamlessly placed in other images? Since there is a considerable difference in time spent for each of these scenarios, the rates would vary. Rather than quote a rate to â��cover any eventualityâ��, I would prefer to understand your needs first and to provide you with an accurate and fair rate.
snip

Hopefully, they will understand and respect my reason for not replying with all of the information that they asked for.

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

05/17/2010 11:13:19 AM · #8

Good reply to them Yak!

MacDonald

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/17/2010 11:22:27 AM · #9

This article gave me some insight into the complexity of photographing jewelry - sorry I still can't create links :(

//www.advertisingphotographer.us/Pricing_photography_los_angeles.htm

These other sources helped me come up with a price.

//www.vanrossen.com/PriceListClassic.html

//www.sierradigitalservices.com/jewelryphotos.html

//www.jewelerwebsites.com/jeweler_services_jewelry_web/jewelry_website_design_photography.html

//www.jewelryphotographs.com/PriceList.html

In the end I ended my agreement with her as I was out of my league as far as being able to photograph and ps the items in the time I allowed. I was charging her $30.00 an hour and told her I should be able to produce 4 items in that amount of time. I couldnâ��t and in the end I was making about $8.00 an hour. But I am not experienced in lighting and that is key so you should be able to do a much better job in less time.

Message edited by frisca - urls.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/17/2010 11:32:10 AM · #10

Maggie, those links are a fantastic wealth of information. Thank you so much for posting them.

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

05/17/2010 11:47:47 AM · #11

urrg i cant do links either apparently

Message edited by author 2010-05-17 11:48:59.

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/17/2010 11:52:34 AM · #12

.

Message edited by author 2010-05-17 11:52:53.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/17/2010 11:55:34 AM · #13

Originally posted by yakatme:

Thanks for the replies so far.

Strikeslip, $25 per shot, huh? That's sounds pretty good for under 20 minutes of work per shot before delivery...

In the end it's close to $75 per hour, which is fair for some evening work twice a year. I give super-fast turnover, which is very important to them.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

05/17/2010 02:09:17 PM · #14

While I don't disagree with any of the advice you've been given, I think that it is also very important to consider what this experience and exposure can do for you down the road. To add this work experience to your resume is a tremendous value by itself.

While you should certainly get paid for your work, I would consider ensuring that you do whatever it takes to secure the value of the credibility that you will gain and not lose this opportunity.

;-)

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/17/2010 02:43:06 PM · #15

C'mon Skip. What are you really trying to say here...that you didn't care for these words when I posted them in another thread regarding

basssman7's opportunity to be the official photographer for a political campaign?

Originally posted by Skip:

To add this work experience to your resume is a tremendous value by itself.[/i]

I already do all of the product photography for Jimmy Lewis and doing so hasn't even come close to the exposure that

basssman7 could receive as the campaign photographer for that mayoral candidate.

Originally posted by Skip:

While I don't disagree with any of the advice you've been given, [i]I think that it is also very important to consider what this experience and exposure can do for you down the road. To add this work experience to your resume is a tremendous value by itself.

No, I don't think so. I think that the opportunity to be a photographer for a political campaign presents itself a lot less frequently than the opportunity to do product photography. So I wouldn't pursue this type of product photography for what little experience that I would gain (I already have extensive experience there) or for the minimal exposure that product photography brings.

No, I don't think that was truly the point that you were trying to make. The fact that you located that other thread to quote me, exactly, with no words of your own, and post them here makes me think that I must have stepped on your toes a little in that other thread and this is your round-about way of letting me know.

Or am I just way off here? The smiley face at the end of your post might translate that this was just a joke, but I'm not so sure. If it was, then I'm sorry that I didn't recognize it as such. If it wasn't, then your post surprises me.

;)

Message edited by author 2010-05-17 14:44:08.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

05/18/2010 09:49:40 AM · #16

Originally posted by yakatme:

C'mon Skip. What are you really trying to say here

Quite simple ;-)

Yes, I took exception with the advice you offered in the other thread (but didn't have time to answer it there) in that I wouldn't encourage anyone to do whatever it takes to get experience, especially if they could only get the work by doing it for free or next-to-free. And I thought, tongue in cheek, that your advice to there made the same amount of sense here.

While experience is experience, the ability to parley that experience into more work is a matter of marketing skills, regardless of photographing politicians or products or anything else. If someone is working professionally, they should have established rates and charge accordingly (and there are plenty of decent freelance rate calculators out there). If they're not working professionally, they need to figure out whether or not they should be, and more importantly, whether or not they're committed to doing all the things that need to be done to be professional.

what's the point of being a professional?

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D