Can someone break this down for me, please???

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/28/2004 08:56:36 PM · #1

I have been asked to do all of the photography for special events for my work. The always till now have used a professional photographer but were not very happy with the results they got from him. I did one free thing for them for charity and were much happier with what I did compared to what the professional photographer ever does for them. The last bill from the photographer was $1,171.80 for the last event he did. I don't have any idea how much he charges for each service and was hoping that someone on here would be able to break it down cost wise for me. I.e., how much do you think he charges for each 8x10 print, etc. I know it's sort of a stab in the dark but thought someone may know what would be a reasonable break down. Each service he had on the invoice is below but he never gave the individual charges. Only a total. Thanks in advance!!!

Total Cost: $1,171.80

- photographic services, misc candids, group and presentations at the banquet = $???.??
- (24) presentation photographs (4x5) = $???.??
- (5) CD's = $???.??
- (15) 8 x 10 Color Prints (groups) = $???.??
- (4) 16 x 20 Color prints (groups) = $???.??

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

07/28/2004 10:16:21 PM · #2

Why don't you attack this from a cost perspective instead of price. How much would it cost you in materials for each one of those items? Do they want mounting on the presentation photos, how much will that cost you? Will there be a rush that increases your cost? Is any rental equipment required? (strobes, wireless equipment, etc)

Do they expect you to do this as part of your job or are they actually hiring you? If the later, we now arrive at the rub your belly, pat your head part... How much is your time worth? They know what they pay you so it may be time fudge a little with other numbers. Try to figure all the time it's going to take you for the various tasks. How long are you going to be at the event, how long will it take to round up people for group photos, how much post processing, trips to the printer, proofing, mounting, emailing, delivering, and then add 20% more on top of that as a safety margin.

Nothing worse that underestimating a job and ending up working for peanuts. In the non-photographic world it has happened to me more than once. Sorry, if the above doesn't give you the quick dollar number you're looking for but it's usually when somebody says, oh, it can be done for this that people usually end up working for peanuts.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/28/2004 10:30:28 PM · #3

Money isn't at all an issue for the company I work for. They would pay me 2 times as much if I asked for it. Pennies to a company that profits billions every quarter.

I'm trying to figure out approximately what the cost per item is so that I can make a price list myself.

Because these events are after hours events that are usually award ceremonies and banquets, I would be billing them outside of my normal salary. These events would be approximately 3 - 4 hours at the most.

How much does a photographer usually charge per hour to attend such events? These are the kind of things I am looking for so that I can create a price list (adding the 20% on to each every separate item, of course).

Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/28/2004 10:40:36 PM · #4

In the food business, a very rough guide was that the dish should cost roughly 3-4 times your cost for the ingredients. This was supposed to provide an adequate margin for for overhead, labor, and profit.

The items you listed would cost you roughly $120 (buying the prints through DPC Prints).*

But you've also listed about 40 pictures to edit and 5 CDs to organize and burn. At a mere 10 minutes per photo that's over six hours of editing alone, and triple that is a much more realistic figure, not even counting the time on the shoot itself (PLUS not enjoying the event ... can you get comp time?), backing up and sorting through the images, etc.

So, figure a minimum of 20 hours labor ... you should charge at least what you normally get paid, but it's much better if you get paid at a different rate so that it's clear that you're doing this as an independent contractor, not as part of your normal duties. You should have a written agreement, and include who controls the copyright, and what further use (if any) you can make of the images. For example** ...

20 x $40/hr*** = $800
3 x $120 mat'ls = $360

Essentially the same ballpark amount as the other guy charged ...

*You could also do the labor, have them approve electronic proofs, and then have them order the prints themselves at an agreed-upon price through DPC Prints. Send them through your link and you'll get a 75% commission on the profit above base price, and you don't have to do any shipping or handle the prints at all or anything.

**Caveat emptor! I am well-known for underpricing my goods and services, so don't be surprised if some people find my figures laughably low, even if most of us couldn't afford to pay them either ... : )

***The print shop I work at charges $60/hour for graphic design services, which might include editing a photo for someone ...

Message edited by author 2004-07-28 22:42:31.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/28/2004 10:43:10 PM · #5

Originally posted by wackybill:

Money isn't at all an issue for the company I work for. They would pay me 2 times as much if I asked for it. Pennies to a company that profits billions every quarter.

Have them send their extra pennies to ...

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/28/2004 10:57:32 PM · #6

Well, just to throw some numbers out there was a recent contract awarded where I work to take group photos. This is government contracting so the lowest bidder got the job. I would keep that in mind and use these as the low end jumping off point.

$10 - $12 for unmounted/matted 8x10 Actual cost is more like $3 per
$45 - $50 for unmounted/matted 16x20 Actual cost is more like $20 per
$15 for images burned to CD Actual cost is more like $1 per
$75 - $100 as a beginning for your hourly rate. This is just what it worked out to as the cost wasn't broken down by hour only by job. More hustle means more profit. Not what I would suggest for you.

The 4x5 prints I'm not sure what you are really getting into with "presentation" prints. Sounds like relatively quick print turnaround with perhaps die cut stationary holders? If so these are going to be much more expensive to produce than just plain 4x5 prints. No idea as to your exact costs.

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

07/31/2004 09:47:06 AM · #7

Would anyone happen to know where I can purchase the slips for the presentation prints? They are similar to the ones they give you with graduation pictures etc. Just a sort of mat that the photo slips in behind to frame the photo.

I believe this is what TechnoShroom is talking about when he says, "die cut stationary holders".

Thanks!

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/31/2004 10:09:55 AM · #8

Taprell Loomis is one of the biggest suppliers of photo packaging; their catalog has lots of what you're looking for in the Presentation Mounts section (the folders start on page 16). Once you know what you want, you should be able to search online for a local and/or online distributor... I bought mine from Minilab Supply Store. I bought the "8x10 Black Senior Slip-In". There is cheaper (the folder is more like cardstock) and more expensive (lots of more expensive options) but the Senior Slip-In seemed like a nice step-up from something like the "Gray PF-20 Folder", for example.

Message edited by author 2004-07-31 10:14:20.