|
| Author | Thread |
|
|
01/21/2011 09:40:43 PM · #1 |
I have been asked to do a submit some photos for a publication for a major University.
I do have a question on what is a reasonable quote to give for the following:
This is what they asked for:
estimate (itemize the estimate as you see fit) for:
· providing us with several shots (send us at least your 4 or 5 favorites) of the 2 or 3 murals there,
· allowing us the rights to share and reprint the photo (I’m sure that TAMUG will want to post a copy),
· and any transportation or other related expenses (pretty straight forward).
· outlining the format you’ll provide the photos in (most photographers provide us with a CD/DVD or two). Just let me know – on your estimate – your preferred procedure.
Can anyone point me in the right direction with this? I dont want to stiff them but at the same time I would like fair compensation for it too.
Thanks a bunch
Jaime |
|
|
|
01/21/2011 11:11:08 PM · #2 |
| What do you think is a fair profit margin? 10%? 20%? 50%? Add up the out-of-pocket expenses and then add the profit on top of that. |
|
|
|
01/22/2011 04:43:20 AM · #3 |
First, congrats on being considered! It's always nice when someone recognizes your work.
As for pricing, it's a matter of finding something acceptable between the suggested stock rate, the standard shoot rate, and what they normally pay.
To get the suggested stock rate, you can use an online stock calculator. However, you will need to know how they intend to use the image(s) (if it's the alumni magazine, you'll need to have an idea of its circulation size, as well as the probable size they are going to run it (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, or full-page). There are different specs for brochures, postcards, etc. You'll need those details.).
The standard shoot rate is what a typical professional would be able to charge to capture the image(s). Is it something you could just walk up and shoot? Is it something that would require a fair amount of prior planning? Is it something that requires more equipment than just a camera, lens, and tripod? Are you going to have to travel more than 30 minutes? Is it something that just about anybody could do? Is it something that could be done at any time (i.e., could it be done by a weekend-warrior, or does it need to be done by a professional who is available during normal working hours?)? Is it something that might already exist as a stock image? Depending on the situation, it might be something that a professional would price as low as $50 to shoot or as high as $500.
Also, more than likely, they are going to want the image with little-to-no post-processing; they may even simply want the out-of-camera original. Clarify this up front. This is the way it is, especially with magazine publications; typically, all they want is for you to size it to 300dpi. For this reason, it is extremely important that you get it right in-camera. Shoot tight, but leave room to rotate/crop. As long as you're talking with your client before shooting something, you should be fine on what you deliver.
As to what they normally pay, that is something you will have to ask them...
And, you will need to be clear with them as to how the image(s) may be used. Most university publications are fairly well-versed in rights and usages, but every now and then you can run across someone who thinks that once they obtain an image, they are free to use it whenever and however they want. In addition to spelling out usage with your contact, you need to put your licensing agreement in your invoice, as well as embed it in your submitted image. It doesn't sound like they are looking for open-ended usage, but you have to keep in mind, there are differences between editorial use and marketing use. These days, it's standard practice to provide an image for editorial use that includes simultaneous web publication. However, that does not mean the marketing department can automatically place it on every new brochure they produce.
You might want to peruse some of their publications. Try to determine which images look like they were taken by a professional and which ones look like amateur grabs. Look for how they handle photo credits, whether in the masthead, the gutters, in the captioning, or under the photos. Also, find out if the university has its own in-house photographer(s) or creative services department. What you are doing here is trying to get a handle on whether or not they do typically have to pay for photography. In some places, they really don't have a budget for photography because it's built into their normal operations (this is especially true when they have access to an in-house photographer).
Once you have a reasonable idea of what you should get, you can fairly evaluate what they offer. If it's more than what you expected, then BAM! Grab it! Otherwise, if it's a lot less than what you think is reasonable, tell them and see if they think you are worth scrounging around the budget to see if they can get you a few more bucks. When they come back to the table, it will be up to you to decide whether or not it's worth it. (Just remember, you should rarely work for free!)
In the end, regardless of how you slice and dice and rationalize and itemize, you will probably come up with a number between $75 and $400 per image used. Given the state of university publications, more than that would be like hitting the lottery...possible, but not probable.
Good luck! |
|
|
|
Current Server Time: 04/28/2026 04:54:38 PM  |
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/28/2026 04:54:38 PM EDT.
|
