Farm animals photo op - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

07/03/2013 11:44:09 PM · #1

Today was an interesting day. Good stuff, not so good stuff, and bad stuff.
Good stuff is what I'm focusing on though. I donated blood today and while there one of the volunteers was talking to another and mentioned how she sure would like to find someone to photograph her farm animals as she owns a small country store and would like to offer them for sale. I could not resist piping up and told her I did photography as a hobby and animals were my favorite subjects. I then showed her some pics on my iPhone that I had taken of farm animals on the vineyard I rent on. She loved them! She then asked me for my name and phone number so she could contact me and we could work something out. Now, I am excited to do the photos, but have no idea what to ask for in compensation. I do not want to ask for a huge amount up front as I am sure he doesn't have it. Should I ask for a set amount, or a smaller amount and a percentage of the sales? Not sure how many she would even sell.

As for the bad stuff, my little pug Sherman is limping on his right front leg. He will hardly put any weight on it. Not sure if he got stung outside, bit by a spider, slept on it wrong, or injured it jumping around like the crazy boy that he is. Hoping by morning he is much better.

Message edited by author 2013-07-03 23:46:42.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

07/04/2013 12:48:50 AM · #2

Residuals are always the best.

Make it clear that it wouldn't happen without you, and that you expect a significant portion of the profits.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

07/04/2013 08:24:26 AM · #3

Go with your gut. I'm not a professional, yet I like to do commercial jobs from time to time. I usually tell the prospective client that we should be able to work something out. I'll tell him/her that we can do some test shooting to see if we work well together, then we'll work the details out later.

I get to shoot a lot of fun things, meet nice people, and share some photography for compensation in ways you wouldn't normally as a straight-up pro with the name, studio, and overhead.

Did I mention that my GF lives right next door to a butcher shop? I've done some product shots for them. You have *any* idea how wonderful a flatiron steak is off the grille less than an hour after they cut it for us?

A free flatiron steak?

That's right.......will work for food! LOL!!!

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

07/04/2013 08:34:41 AM · #4

When I started my own computer consulting business -- I actually had someone come up to me at a user meeting and ask if I could help her. I had absolutely no idea what to charge her -- my dad told me to let her start the negotiation and come up with a price. I thought that was the stupidest idea in the whole world. But I tried it.

She offered about $20/more per hour that I was thinking!

It may be worth a try...?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/04/2013 10:41:43 AM · #5

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

That is actually the way I am most the time too. I'm not a pro and do not pretend to be one. Recently a friend of mine in Texas begged me to shoot the photos of their wedding. I started out with a flat NO and explained I shoot animals and landscapes, not people. They came back with , "if you can shoot animals you can shoot us". Again I declined. They kept pleading, explaining that this was his 2nd marriage, and her third. They were not looking for pro shots - just good shots taken by a friend. They then lured me in with "flight, lodging and food covered" I would eat and stay at their place, and they would cover my airfare. I finally agreed. The photos turned out just okay by my standards. They were however extremely happy with them. Note : I will never do another wedding if it is indoors in a poorly lit church tht will not allow flash.

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/04/2013 11:46:38 AM · #6

I notice he said "small" store. In a case like this, what I would do is charge a flat fee and then so much per print, with the print prices dependent on what he wanted. That way, if you never hear from him again, at least you got your money. Write up what you agree on so it's in writing and also put down that you will be using the images for promotional purposes. At least with animals you don't have to worry about a signed release. :D

Our dogs (although they are quite a bit bigger than yours) sometimes will hurt a leg or paw when they are rough housing around and will limp around for a day or two. Since they have very hairy feet sometimes they will get a stone or hairball in between the pads that can cause them to limp too. You can give dogs small amounts of baby aspirin (amount dependent on their size) but sometimes the pain is good as it keeps them from over doing it until it's healed. Our breed of dog has a very high tolerance for pain and a lot of times will ignore when they are hurt... unless it gets them attention and extra cookies. Then they can whine and look pathetic with the best of them. LOL!.

Mike

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/04/2013 12:42:25 PM · #7

Thanks Mike. I think the flat fee and then a fee per print could work also.

Good news as far as Sherman. He woke up today with no limp! Yeah. Still tender if I touch the area or flex his wrist all the way, but much better. The lump makes me wonder if he didnt get stung by a bee or wasp while outside and it took a bit to start making the joint painful.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

07/04/2013 08:22:16 PM · #8

Hmmm. I think you could work out a barter with a farm and eat some yummy stuff.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

07/05/2013 07:58:53 AM · #9

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

Recently a friend of mine in Texas begged me to shoot the photos of their wedding. I started out with a flat NO and explained I shoot animals and landscapes, not people. They came back with , "if you can shoot animals you can shoot us". Again I declined. They kept pleading, explaining that this was his 2nd marriage, and her third. They were not looking for pro shots - just good shots taken by a friend. They then lured me in with "flight, lodging and food covered" I would eat and stay at their place, and they would cover my airfare. I finally agreed. The photos turned out just okay by my standards. They were however extremely happy with them. Note : I will never do another wedding if it is indoors in a poorly lit church tht will not allow flash.

I have done four weddings......two of them as second camera, and I have always sworn I'll never do another. My ~~victims~~ subjects have *always* been pleased, me not so much, but I have also found that those of us who only do occasional weddings because we know better than to do them regularly are our own worst critics.

The one thing that's nice about being non-pro, but qualified photographers is that we get to pick and choose our jobs. Normally mine are for people I already know, and have an idea how they'll receive my work.

I don't have anywhere near the performance anxiety I used to get when people ask me to do shoots, but I still approach jobs with some trepidation.....

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

07/05/2013 03:19:54 PM · #10

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by ShutterPug:
Recently a friend of mine in Texas begged me to shoot the photos of their wedding. I started out with a flat NO and explained I shoot animals and landscapes, not people. They came back with , "if you can shoot animals you can shoot us". Again I declined. They kept pleading, explaining that this was his 2nd marriage, and her third. They were not looking for pro shots - just good shots taken by a friend. They then lured me in with "flight, lodging and food covered" I would eat and stay at their place, and they would cover my airfare. I finally agreed. The photos turned out just okay by my standards. They were however extremely happy with them. Note : I will never do another wedding if it is indoors in a poorly lit church tht will not allow flash.

I have done four weddings......two of them as second camera, and I have always sworn I'll never do another. My ~~victims~~ subjects have *always* been pleased, me not so much, but I have also found that those of us who only do occasional weddings because we know better than to do them regularly are our own worst critics.

The one thing that's nice about being non-pro, but qualified photographers is that we get to pick and choose our jobs. Normally mine are for people I already know, and have an idea how they'll receive my work.

I don't have anywhere near the performance anxiety I used to get when people ask me to do shoots, but I still approach jobs with some trepidation.....

The anxiety level was still there, though not as bad as it would have been had these been strangers.....which of course then I would have never agreed to do it. I am much more comfortable shooting animals. If the lady with the farm decides to have me do the shoot I will feel much more in my element and anxiety free for the most part.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

07/05/2013 03:44:48 PM · #11

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

Note : I will never do another wedding if it is indoors in a poorly lit church tht will not allow flash.

Just tell them that they need to rent you a 1Dx.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

07/05/2013 03:58:54 PM · #12

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by ShutterPug:
Note : I will never do another wedding if it is indoors in a poorly lit church tht will not allow flash.

Just tell them that they need to rent you a 1Dx.

It's not worth the anxiety. I'd rather stick to animals. I'm much more comfortable around them. :)

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

07/05/2013 04:30:03 PM · #13

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

Note : I will never do another wedding if it is indoors in a poorly lit church tht will not allow flash.

At least not until the next friend begs and pleads and bribes you. LOL

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

07/05/2013 04:33:21 PM · #14

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by ShutterPug:
Note : I will never do another wedding if it is indoors in a poorly lit church tht will not allow flash.

Just tell them that they need to rent you a 1Dx.

It's not worth the anxiety. I'd rather stick to animals. I'm much more comfortable around them. :)

Tell them to rent you a 1Dx and get you a handful of Valium. ;)