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10/09/2008 02:18:16 PM · #1 |
I have been asked to do several photo shoots for friends. I'm hoping to gain experience, portfolio images and future jobs.
I'm not sure how to best price my time and such.
The scenario I need help with:
Driving to the location - a park about an hour away. (the drive is no problem but would like to incorporate a little mileage into the cost)
Shooting their son (about 3 years old) on location.
They want about 4 8x10's & wallet sizes.
I don't want to price too high because this will be the first paid shoot. And, also they are friends. They're using me instead of going to somewhere like Sears or Penney's.
I estimated about an hour or two to take the photos.
So - questions.
1. How to price the "sitting/location" fee
2. A good place to get quality prints at reasonable prices
3. How much to charge over cost of printing
4. Model release of some sort? Needed? Where to find the right wording?
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10/09/2008 04:53:16 PM · #2 |
How do they know what they want before you've even shot the images? 4 8x10s of the same 'pose' or four different ones? Makes a different in what/how you shoot and four edited pics is four times the time/effort/editing of one so needs to cost more.
You need to charge $75 to $125 an hour for your shooting time on location or in the studio. Locations are free while a studio requires lights, BGs, cleaning, maintenance and a mortgage (and insurance) but you don't ahve to spend time traveling or picking up after the client leaves so it's almost a wash, time wise. You do have gas/wear and tear invovled on your car, but then you can claim mileage on your taxes. Again, it kinda evens out.
So you've got 2 hours of driving there and back, an hour shooting, some time talking with them about the session, time to prep before you go (charge batts, get camera in car, etc).
Most folks I know edit an hour (or 2 even) for every hour they shoot. Four and 1/2 hours of your time so far.
Now you need to get the proofs to them, they choose, you final edit, print, package and deliver. 30 minutes to 2 hours...75 minutes is the average of all that.
Figure 6 hours total. You will get the session fee ($100?) and sell them 4 8x10s and say 24 wallets...I charge about $125 for that so it's $225, less gas (2 hours driving is 100 miles? $15 for gas then) and $10 for prints, $2 for packaging, your variable costs for this job are about $30.
That gives you $195 as your margin for 6 hours work. But you have overhead expenses - gear, insurance, wear and tear on the car, camera, lenses, education, computer, software and upgrades to it, phone, website, biz cards, time to to a blog and make a bank deposit, etc. And pay taxes too. $32 or so an hour is not that much at all, and take out expenses and it's a pittance.
Doing just one or two jobs use mpix. Going to make a part time job out of it then get a website, biz cards, biz license, state tax ID and sign up with a pro lab. WHCC, Millers, ProFilmet, H&H Color Lab, Buckeye, Natural Color are all good.
Model release? Google is your friend!
//www.google.com/search?q=photo+model+release&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Message edited by author 2008-10-09 16:55:29.
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10/09/2008 05:32:18 PM · #3 |
Thanks for the input Prof-Fate.
I'm not at the point where this is a PT job, yet.
I already have a domain name and personal site. Can easily (well, sort of) convert to biz site.
I have cards but need to get updated biz cards.
I did google release forms but there are a ton out there for different needs.
Found this one:
Model Releases
Don't know if this fits most scenarios - or if there needs to be some tweaking.
I am pretty sure they will want more than one pose for the enlargements. I think they chose that number because they want gifts for specific people (g-parents).
Thank you for the price breakdown. I will take it into consideration. I don't want to go overboard on charging for this since they are friends and I don't have paid experience.
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10/09/2008 08:10:16 PM · #4 |
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