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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Headshots for acting jobs
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10/09/2006 12:31:43 AM · #1
hello,

i have a question. a $$$ question. a good friend of mine is wanting to hire me to do headshots of her and all her friends that are in the theatre department. i was wondering what i should charge per person on something like this. i want it to be fair, but i also know they were planning on flying to dallas or new york to get a photographer to do it, until they saw my work and liked it a lot.

my question, how much for the shoot, (including an 8x10 i'm guessing) and maybe a cd with one headshot on it, edited, with no copywrite statements on it so they can get reprints if they want. i'm guessing this is what they will need, for future use.

thanks so much in advance. i'm open to any type of suggestions. any at all :)
10/09/2006 06:25:09 PM · #2
*bump* only bump for me. just curious if anyone has some input.

10/09/2006 06:28:25 PM · #3
I've done Real Estate agent head shots for $80 a person. If they are actors/actresses, they will probably want multiple outfits, hairstyles, etc., so I'd find some happy middle ground, maybe $80 the first shot and $20-$40 a shot after that...

Sound close?
10/09/2006 06:35:44 PM · #4
it depends in what you are using, i mean your equipment. if yo use strobes. or nothing. that kind of stuff. you need to know how many people are in the session. then you must consider you time editing. and the money you will spend printing

10/09/2006 06:52:39 PM · #5
actors usually need way more than one 8x10. I offer two packages, one is for prints and the other for the digital file, depends on where they're most likely to use it. Check me out.
10/09/2006 11:40:04 PM · #6
thanks so much. really appreciate it. :)

10/09/2006 11:43:17 PM · #7
Originally posted by letenele:

actors usually need way more than one 8x10. I offer two packages, one is for prints and the other for the digital file, depends on where they're most likely to use it. Check me out.


Where do you have the prints made for the second package?
10/10/2006 12:06:09 AM · #8
Well there are usually print shops that specialize in headshots and comp cards only so I wouldn't even worry about printing.

I'd also say give them 2 or 3 options. Actors often need a serious headshot and a more playful or smiley one.

As far as pricing I'm not really sure.

Headshots are usually pretty expensive but if this is your firt time (or one of your first times) doing them and its for friends that makes it different. Really, I'd say 50 is fair for one outfit, since there are a a few of people you will make a decent amount of money. But perhaps that is just being being generous.
10/10/2006 12:10:19 AM · #9
The prints for head shots are not usually photo-quality prints, at least here in Hollywierd. They usually get lithographs printed in bulk which are very cheap, I've seen as much as 300 color lithos for under $100. The quality is nowhere near archival quality, but decent enough to get their photo out there and seen by the casting directors who usually toss them out anyways.

Edit: In re-thinking your scenario, if all they want are headshots next to their bio to put in the lobby for the show and not print them out in masses for auditioning, then a real photograph print is all they probably want with maybe a smaller version on cd for programs or whatever. But include options for them if they want more.

Message edited by author 2006-10-10 08:32:52.
10/10/2006 12:17:40 AM · #10
So SOP is to just deliver the image digitally?

Message edited by author 2006-10-10 00:53:43.
10/10/2006 06:14:43 PM · #11
Check out my friend Stacey Bode's work. I think she charges $250, but I'm not sure if that includes printing or just the CD. She's based in Atlanta, so your pricing may vary by town/market.
10/10/2006 08:27:28 PM · #12
I am an actor, and I have paid LOTS of money to get headshots done (before I became obsessed with photography as well, now I could do my own!) I have paid as little as $150 for a session (with 2 looks) and as much as $300 for a session with 2 looks. I would say anything in that range would be fair. But if you are trying to give them a deal, then I think anything under $150 is GREAT.

Just my opinion, and my personal experience. :)

Hope this helps.
10/10/2006 08:41:51 PM · #13
You should be charging $200-$300 per person, 2 changes/poses PLUS reprints You don't have to charge much for reprints, but you should say there is a minimum of X copies (any number, 20-100?) and they should be printed on 8x10 paper, with a white or clack border, and your copyright info in the border area, small and non-descript.

You REALLY shouldn't under charge!!! Lets be realistic, you'll spend:
1 hour on the phone with each person (or emailing back and forth)
1-1.5 hours shooting per person
10 minutes to 1 hour driving (if shooting at a location near you) per person
1-2 hours or more post production per person
time spent dealing with a lab getting prints made

etc....

at $80 per person, your making like $12.50 an hour ... you might as well go work at the dunkin donuts down the block, and get free coffee!

That's my 2 cents.

If they don't like it, let them spend $300 or more per person just to FLY to NYC and spend the entire day at an airport!
10/10/2006 09:32:16 PM · #14
I think in the original post you mentioned something about a good friend...so maybe this should be charging is irrelevant.
I recently shot pics for a theatre company for free..just gave them the disc...why, because I knew them and I know only too well that people in theatre aren't making a lot of money. I was happy to do it..So really you just need to ask yourself the question..at what price are you going to feel comfortable with? Shoot/process and let them go get the prints...they can print cheaply or not..their choice no hassles.
I am not suggesting you do it for free..am just pointing out that feeling you should do it for a specific price is only relevant if you don't think you will enjoy it, or gain from the experience.
10/12/2006 07:08:30 PM · #15
thanks so much for the input everyone. this is an old friend of mine. she has about 4 friends coming down with her this time, and quite possibly more as weekends come along. For this, i told her i would charge her $150.00 per person, for a few studio shots, and a few outside shots. mainly doing this for the experience and to get my name out there. she responded with "that's rediculous, we will not pay you any less than $200.00" so i'm in shock. very happy, and looking forward to it.

once again, thanks so much for the advice. everyone's comments are greatly appreciated.

-Jon Rowe
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