First magazine shoot, how much to charge?.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/07/2007 05:45:22 PM · #1

I was just hired to shoot for a story in a magazine. We havn't really discussed the pay much but I think it is around $100. not much but they told me it could really open the doors for me. Any sugestions?

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

12/07/2007 05:56:03 PM · #2

Sounds good. Share the story if you can once it is done.

option

Nikon D200

12/07/2007 05:59:34 PM · #3

fotoquote is your friend.

how long will it take you to shoot/process?

how big is the mag? whats its circulation?

what kind of usage will your photos see? less than 1/4 page, full page, double truck, etc...

Message edited by author 2007-12-07 18:00:57.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/07/2007 06:02:27 PM · #4

it really depends on what you have to shoot, how many photos, how many work, how many people do you need to make it happen and what you need to make it happen (think about props, location, etc.)

and: of course the magazine will say it will open doors for you. that way you'll think to keep your price low.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/07/2007 06:26:11 PM · #5

It is a local magazine. They assigned me to a writer. The story is on a local theatre so I will be shooting something probably with the actors on stage. It will be a two page spread with about 800 words. probably 2-3 photos. The magazine sells for $4.95 but I don't know the distribution yet. I will know more next week. If I do well do these type of things usually open up doors for more opportunities?

option

Nikon D200

12/07/2007 06:53:05 PM · #6

Originally posted by Snake:

If I do well do these type of things usually open up doors for more opportunities?

No.

What opens opportunities is your persistence and hard work in a difficult industry. No one is going to see "photos by snake" and call you up asking you to shoot for them. You may get some more work with the mag in the future, but they'll probably expect you to continue shooting on the cheap.

Sometimes things will just fall into your lap, but what really opens up doors is you. If you do well, what will get you more work in the future is the fact that you are a skilled photographer, not the fact that some mag was willing to plug your work. I'm not saying dont do this job, just be aware that when someone feeds you a line like that, it means pretty much nothing and as bitme said, its just a way of convincing you to work for cheaper. I hear it all the time.

Message edited by author 2007-12-07 18:54:18.

renefunk

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/07/2007 07:26:40 PM · #7

super lol

but so tru, at first some guys ask me to make pictures for hes company telling me that it will open new oportunities , anyone say that for you to charge low

sad but tru

Originally posted by option:

Originally posted by Snake:
If I do well do these type of things

usually open up doors for more opportunities?

No.

What opens opportunities is your persistence and hard work in a difficult industry. No one is going to see "photos by snake" and call you up asking you to shoot for them. You may get some more work with the mag in the future, but they'll probably expect you to continue shooting on the cheap.

Sometimes things will just fall into your lap, but what really opens up doors is you. If you do well, what will get you more work in the future is the fact that you are a skilled photographer, not the fact that some mag was willing to plug your work. I'm not saying dont do this job, just be aware that when someone feeds you a line like that, it means pretty much nothing and as bitme said, its just a way of convincing you to work for cheaper. I hear it all the time.

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

12/11/2007 12:54:03 PM · #8

I have the ability to set my own price here. They are going to give me about 2-3 articles to shoot each month. Right now they are printing 35,000 copies. At the time they have printed 5 issues they have a price of $4.95 each. I just need direction on what the going rate is for a magazine of this size.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/11/2007 01:31:54 PM · #9

Originally posted by Snake:

Typically, magazines have what's called a "page rate" and a "cover rate"; if the page rate is $200 a page, they will pay $50 for a 1/4 page image, etc. Typically these local magazines don't pay well for content; I know, I used to shoot for a couple of them.

I don't know what the going rate is anymore, and it will obviously vary by the market/demographic served. The magazine makes its money by selling ads, and the higher the demographic/the greater the circulation, the more the ads cost.

However, in my experience it is DEFINITELY true that, for a local photographer, the exposure in the local publications is invaluable. If you do excellent work (and you should always strive to, even if they don't pay much for it) then you will get, for example, local advertisers int he magazine seeing your work and asking you to shoot for them.

R.