What are my terms?!?!

[MarcoFromHouston]

A friend of mine has started his own promotions company and his 1st big party @ a club is next week. I received the invite last night and asked him if he needed a photog for the party. This was his response:

What's up Marco? As a matter of fact, I have 2 friends that I have in mind at the moment, but they have not commited just yet. What are your terms? The party is from 10pm till 2am. I need action shots inside and pictures on the red carpet.

I would just like suggestions as to what my "terms" should be? I've never been an official/contracted/paid photog before, so this is all new to me.

I shoot with a Digital Rebel XT & a Kit Lens (its all I got right now). I just bought my camera this year and am still learning...

This is an example of "party pics" I shot at a club a few weeks ago:
Jen's Party Pics

[MyKey]

Well first and foremost you should get a contract of some sort from the event host or whoever has the right to be there, which allows you to photograph the event and use the photos.

It only takes one person to say they did not want their photo taken or on the net or whatever and you will be thrown into court. I just settled a lawsuit due to this, lucky I was found not at fault due to the situation but it shows even when your not at fault you will get thrown into court.

Secondly you need to charge for your time, your gear while nothing massive is still equipment and your time is the most valuable aspect of your job. Charge whatever you see is worth driving down there, shooting, processing and preparing the images for display. Yes it will be fun, Yes you will get in for free, Yes you will take images of hot women and fun times, but if you work for free, you only hurt yourself and your reputation in the long run. Charging a fee is expected and a sign of being a professional, it also makes the art of you taking photographs a business transaction which is easier for most people to understand. (ie: You will do this work for this amount of pay, in return I shall expect to get this from you)

It puts the business in black and white, so there are no questions or concerns on what should or should not be done.

Just remember TIME is the most valuable aspect of your LIFE not just the job, charge accordingly.

Hope that helps!

[ndsimm]

for the Parties that I have shot for companies like that, I usually just quote an hourly rate and give thme the images on CD as they are usually jusst posting them on the web or putting them in brochures/flyers/ads. Of course you would retain full rights to all images...
the examples of the shots you have on the other thread are pretty much what they are loking for - candids, plenty of posed shots (you're the guy with the camera and getting them to pose shouldn't be too hard, especially if they've been "lubricated" )

Good luck

[MarcoFromHouston]

Thanks Mike & Nathan!

What about model releases? Would I need one signed by any/all of the people I shoot?

[ndsimm]

I stand to be corrected, but for the events that I have shot, I relied on the release in the contract signed by the person hosting the event and didn't bother getting individual releases. Often, people requested my card so they could see the images later and that resulted in additional purchases. That wasn't the intent, but it was a nice added bonus...

[MyKey]

Originally Posted by ndsimm

I stand to be corrected, but for the events that I have shot, I relied on the release in the contract signed by the person hosting the event and didn't bother getting individual releases. Often, people requested my card so they could see the images later and that resulted in additional purchases. That wasn't the intent, but it was a nice added bonus...

Ditto!

Just make sure you have a release from the person putting on the event and you should be alright. The models work for that person and your release should cover them also. Getting a release is one HUGE aspect which shows your a TRUE PROFESSIONAL over being just a person with a camera, no matter what your skill level is.

[CaptainTom]

Quote your friend an hourly rate and you will provide a CD. Get the release in writing.

If he chooses not to use you, go to the party as usual, but DO NOT take your camera and start shooting.

When was the last time you went Best Buy and saw a nice item you wanted ?
You looked at the price tag, talked with the salesman and said you'd look around and let them know. Then, they said " just take it home, we don't need to charge you for it ".

[MarcoFromHouston]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

If he chooses not to use you, go to the party as usual, but DO NOT take your camera and start shooting.

When was the last time you went Best Buy and saw a nice item you wanted ?
You looked at the price tag, talked with the salesman and said you'd look around and let them know. Then, they said " just take it home, we don't need to charge you for it ".

Thanks for that perspective Capt. Tom. I was planning on going to the party anyway, but if he doesn't hire me then I won't take my camera. I like the way you think!