Product shot pricing

[kachina]

Greetings all,

I was approached by a medium-sized company that needs product shots for mailings, websites, and downloads for customer web pages. I've done some stuff for websites before but I have no idea how to price this larger job. Help!!!

Actually I need info on deal structure as well. I have an attorney that can put a contract together for me. Anything I should watch out for?

They do not want the old stand-by high key images. Their requirements are actually pretty complex - requiring props and lots of detail. I would greatly appreciate some guidance on this if anyone has any to offer. Based on dealings up to this point the client maintenance factor associated with this job is probably going to be a 5 on a scale of 1-10.

Thanks,
Rusty

[CaptainTom]

A complex subject for sure.

I have looked for help in this area before, and here are a couple of links:

Link to NPPA

Washington, DC

Discussion

My Modus Operendi was to charge for my time at a specific day rate.
Add in extras such as sets, special equipment, etc.
Add in post processing times. This can be a major portion of the cost since
products must be tack sharp and the colors need to be matched.

Whatever you do, don't under price yourself on this project and think that later on you can increase your rates once you are established. The customer never seems to understand this concept.

Good luck. It sounds like this client is likely to be a major pain in the butt...

[ShaneKislack]

What about usage, Tom?

[kachina]

Tom, thanks for the information. I REALLY appreciate it. Looks like I have a little unscheduled digging to do this weekend.

Shane, I am interested in what others do about usage. I believe the client wants unlimited usage of the images based on all of the ways in which they currently use their images.

Well, I will probably make a few mistakes this time around but I will learn from them. Just hope the learning experience isn't too painful.

[ShaneKislack]

Usage is always the hardest part. And many clients don't understand it...or are too lazy to try and grasp it even though it benefits them too. I'd never give unlimited usage unless they had the coin to spit out 10K per image. The reason is they don't really need to license the image to put on taxi cab wheel covers in Taiwan. They just say unlimited because it's easier if they get it for the same price. Here is an indespensable paper on the usage model...

http://www.apanational.com/files/pub...nsingModel.pdf

password is APAvisitor2004

[kachina]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

Usage is always the hardest part. And many clients don't understand it...or are too lazy to try and grasp it even though it benefits them too. I'd never give unlimited usage unless they had the coin to spit out 10K per image. The reason is they don't really need to license the image to put on taxi cab wheel covers in Taiwan. They just say unlimited because it's easier if they get it for the same price. Here is an indespensable paper on the usage model...

http://www.apanational.com/files/pub...nsingModel.pdf

password is APAvisitor2004

Thank you. I have much to learn.

[kachina]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

A complex subject for sure.

Good luck. It sounds like this client is likely to be a major...

Tom,

You are a wise man.

Rusty

[mdh]

Rusty

Price buy the job, the day rates in D FW run between $2000.00 & 5000.00
For product work. Watch your rights, Try exclusive limited That way you can keep the
copyright, also you can limit the time i.e. one year, country, the rights should reflect
price. also you might try asmp.org Good Luck
Mike

[boxofrocks]

fotoquote pro is software used to get a cost basis for this type of thing when you don't know where to start. you can also tell the client that your price is based on a national range for the specific type of shot they want. Sometimes that can add a touch of credibility if they gag on the cost.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

fotoquote pro is software used to get a cost basis for this type of thing when you don't know where to start. you can also tell the client that your price is based on a national range for the specific type of shot they want. Sometimes that can add a touch of credibility if they gag on the cost.

If they are neophytes, they will likely gag on ANY QUOTE , so give them a big one and get it over with......

[jloyphoto]

I definately second Fotoquote Pro.

[boxofrocks]

amen, brutha.

My favorite question is "What's your budget". Get it out there right up front. Then leave skid marks if you have to.

[kachina]

Thank you everyone...I'm sure I will have lots of 20/20 hindsight when this first shoot is over. In fact, I already do. Nothing like doing something semi-complex for the first time with no prior experience - pour gasoline, light match, toss on gasoline, then leap. Finally, hit the showers when it is all over and make sure you write down everything you will not do next time