Price for prints, contracted work

[BK1017]

Hello all business photographers! I am a photo hobbyist and have never sold my prints, nor have I been contracted for work. I work for the Intercontinental Stephen F Austin hotel here and Austin and while showing my photo website to some colleagues, they told me that the hotel is looking to update their photographs that are displayed as the guests check-in. Namely, they want some more vibrant pictures of "around Austin". I have a few already, but they were interested in contracting me to get some shots of Austin and maybe inside the hotel (views from guest rooms, public areas, etc). (Sidenote: they recently contracted a professional photographer to shoot the interior of the hotel at a price of "thousands of dollars").

The #2 in charge said he was serious about this and told me to get some prices together for photos I have already and for some future pictures. I have no idea on how to price these, or where to begin. I told them I would do it for cheap, or cheaper than anyone else. My only concern is that these will be used for commercial purposes, so I wouldn't know what to charge. Any pointers? What would you charge? Thank you for your help!

[ShaneKislack]

Out of curiousity, why did you tell them you'd do it cheaper than anyone else?

[Photographer557]

BK1017,

First thing, let me make sure I understand, these are pictures to hang on the walls?

Next thing, it is important to understand that as a, "commercial photographer" you do not sell pictures you own them.

You sell a license to use them. You can charge what ever you want for the licensing fee. I know there is software out there, like Fotoquote, that gives an estimate.

I realize this may be more involved than you want to get into.

Typically a commercial photographer will give an estimate of what the assignment will cost, this includes fuel, travel, food, equipment used, assistants hired, etc. Then a markup is added to the estimate for profit. You will also need to know how many pictures they want so you can write the licensing agreement specific for that many images.

Basically, there are two parts: what they pay you for acquiring the pictures and what they pay to license the pictures from you.

Some photographers will sell there images but at a much higher price than what they would license them for, since they will no longer be able to license them ever again.

If you have any questions PM me.

[BK1017]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

Out of curiousity, why did you tell them you'd do it cheaper than anyone else?

one, because they sign my paycheck every month. Two, because I'm not a pro by any means, so for me to undertake such a project would be more of an honor as opposed to an opportunity for substantial profit.

Photographer557,
Thanks for great information. The pictures would be used on a computer slide show at the front desk, emphasizing the vibrancy of Austin. I supposed I'll just come up with an arbitrary amount for the picture taking and their associated licenses. Thanks for the help - BK