Event Photography? - DPChallenge Forums

10/09/2006 04:00:38 PM · #1

This morning I received a call from my son's boss, asking me if I would be interested in shooting their store's "Grand Opening" on Saturday from 11-6. Post-processing would be basic editing and putting all of the prints on a CD or DVD for later use, and printing out contact sheets. I have *no* idea what to charge her for this as most of my work involves individual prints or package prices for wedding and portraits. This would be a great opportunity for me as I'm really putting my efforts into building a reputation and business. Geographically, I'm in the Baltimore/Washington area, so there's definitely money and opportunities for this type of shooting. Anybody have any ideas on what a reasonable price is for me to charge? Thanks!

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

10/09/2006 05:38:48 PM · #2

bump...anybody???

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

10/09/2006 05:49:01 PM · #3

I love doing events. I am about to do a shoot that they only require the disc of images. I am charging $300AU and they said yes. I expect to be there a couple of hours. I hope this helps you a little.

Lisa

andrewreiner

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/09/2006 05:52:39 PM · #4

i have the same problem. i never know what to charge. cause i want to get the job but i want the most i can get. thats business for you.

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

10/09/2006 06:07:20 PM · #5

So how much *would* you charge for 8 hours of event shooting/processing/burning to disk??

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

10/09/2006 06:10:32 PM · #6

Working on $50 an hour in Australia is usually a good rate. Not sure about there. I charge $20 per hour for processing as well. Mind you, I am just starting out too, so I actually only have 4 things booked lol.. but you gotta start somewhere. :)

So for 8 hours shooting and processing maybe $500AU ($350-400US)??

Just a guideline.

livitup

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

10/09/2006 06:21:06 PM · #7

Don't forget that if you are giving them a disc with all the photos you are basically signing away any rights to future compensation based on use. So they could use one of your photos as the centerpiece of a full page ad in the Post and you would get bupkis.

I would say that somewhere between $40 to $60 an hour for the actual shooting would be appropriate, then add in however it will take you to post process them (even basic editing and contact sheets take time) and then some kind of fee for rights/usage. Many wedding photogs are starting to sell a CD with all the photos and repro rights for around $300 on top of the wedding shoot fees... so that's something I would consider too. I would expect that something like:

$320-$480 - Shooting Time
$160-$240 - Editing Time
$300-$500 - Rights Fee
---------
$780 - $1220 Total.

That might sound like a lot, but dare them to do better with a pro from the yellow pages and I think they will come running back to you. If you think about it, that's probably about half of what a wedding couple would pay a pro for a full wedding coverage...

WWMV, IANAPP, I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, etc., et. al., all standard disclaimers apply.

hokie

Nikon D2X

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/09/2006 06:27:06 PM · #8

I was gonna private mail you but I figured someone else might want to read this.

There are lots of experienced people on DPC that have a similar background to me but may have different opinions. Hope they will chime in. I sell this kind of service to businesses as part of my living so I'll just give you my experience.

My customers are all over the Eastern United States and the photographers I use are usually where the customers are geographically unless I need a specialized photographer. Therefore pricing is all over the place dependent on the market and the customer and the photographer.

You seem to be a private photographer (versus an agency or a studio) and if you are just beginning your career with no signficant portfolio or business event experience I would suggest a day rate of $800 and charge $95 an hour for computer processing (Usually batch processing with light corrections on a days worth of shots is about 2-4 hours of bill time).

So your customer can get out of this for about $990.00. You can include travel in this price but anything over 90 miles gets billed automatic full day rates regardless of shoot time and for travel time.

If you are desperate you can go cheaper. I do charity events/fund raisers for half this rate where I personally shoot and edit the photos instead of hiring.

Most of the photographers I hire have day rates ranging from $1,500 - $5,000 depending on the photographer and the equipment and support he needs.

By the way..rights usage is not a good way to go. Are you going to be a stock photo site and manage this? Didn't think so. Unless you are working with an agency..just charge for the photos what you think is fair.

So you see..pricing is all over the board but dont give your services away. If you are not good enough to be paid properly you are better off not taking a job and being an assistant and learn your trade. I have been at enough Chamber of Commerce events and business networking events over 23 years to know that a bad photographer will never work in a community once a bad rep gets out, regardless of price.

Message edited by author 2006-10-09 18:30:28.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

10/09/2006 07:04:09 PM · #9

For events right now I charge $125/ hour. That includes any editing but not the disk. But for this kind of a shoot I would probably give them the disk... just one opinion :0)