Photos to be published in Forbes--need advice...

[boxofrocks]

I have a corporate client shoot that was just scheduled for tomorrow. The shoot will be of a variety of execs and employees around an office environment, and some of the images are to be published in Forbes Magazine.

This is a private client of mine who also owns the business. It's a small company, without deep budgets for this kind of stuff. How would you suggest I price something like this fairly? Does the magazine also pay the subjects for photos?

I'm really lost, and while I don't want to leave money on the table, I'm in the precarious situation of not wanting to alienate them with a sky high budget.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Roy]

Did you try the advice you gave me one time?

What do you have in your budget for photography?

Really, I don't know. You're out of my league with the magazine part thrown in. Good luck though. I'm sure someone will have some ideas for you.

[CaptainTom]

This the commercial photographers number one headache, other than getting new business.

I might explain what the going rates for photos published in a major publication are, and that because they are a new and upcoming business you can reduce the industry standard rate to #### on a one time basis only.
Hopefully this will keep your credibility high for when they need continuing work, and they won't just go to the next candidate and hope to get that discounted rate from them.

Forbes magazine may also pay you for the photos, but it will depend upon the nature of the article. If the article is submitted by the company, the accompanying photos will not be paid for by Forbes. If Forbes commisioned an article, they will pay for the text and the photos. That is my understanding, but is subject to recent changes in policy.

Try your best to assure a byline.

[ShaneKislack]

Well, whatever you charge...keep this in mind. Per Fotoquote, forbes charges $81,650 for a full page ad.

You didn't tell us if was a story or ad.

So, I'd probably charge a few thousand for the creative fee...and a portion of that $81,650 based on the size of the photo for advertising. If it's editorial, I'd probably charge a few thousand for the creative fee...and maybe $3K for one months usage.

Either way, sounds like a valuable photo.

[KdLaneJr]

Congrats!

[ShaneKislack]

Oh, and I wanted to say something about you mentioning that they don't have deep pockets and you don't want to overprice it.

The value of the photograph is just that, the value. If they can't afford it, it isn't your responsibility to subsidize it. I can't afford a porche. They don't just give me one because they are afraid of alienating me. If they can't afford professional photos (and what could help there business more than professional photos in Forbes?) then they need to take another route.

[dbphotos]

Editorial or advertising and are the usage rights being purchased by the customer or magazine? Then, use either Foto Quote or Editorial Photographers. I would also recommend PhotoShelter as they have online pricing that you can affix to each of your images with different levels of usage or you can customize your pricing. After your image is uploaded and priced, your client (or the magazine) can download a full size image and pay you right on the site so you don't have to worry about billing and waiting 45-60 days to get paid.

Keep in mind that image pricing is being hit hard in the marketplace so the software mentioned above may not be quite up to date on pricing, but it's a good place to start. I don't see an issue with giving your client a "discount" based on their previous business with you.

And, contratulations! A great publication to get in.

[boxofrocks]

Thanks, guys.

A couple of things: I agree with the value of photography, but as I mentioned, this is an existing client, and I want to take care of them. I know if I overbid, they will go elsewhere--normally that's a challenge I'm willing to face, but you hate to lose existing business.

Also, I use PhotoQuote, too. It's a good starting place, but not a one size fits all solution. For example, they say 1/2 page should be $X, but what if you have 2 or 3photos that total 1/2 page of area? Do you charge per photo, or per total area that the photos take up?

I've since discovered that it will go into Forbes in Texas only, so that drops the circ number considerably.

I'm already being fairly compensated for my time, and didn't wish to appear that I was double dipping on these folks. When you work with marketing or ad agencies, they understand fees associated with circulation, etc. Those that don't deal with it every day are a little slower to come around.

I think they said the article would appear on September--I'll let you know, and maybe you just might see my stuff on a news stand near you soon.

[CaptainTom]

You're a good businessman and I am confident whatever deal you've worked out will be a good one.
Congratulations on getting into Forbes. Let us know when it publishes, etc.

Some of us live vicariously through the success of others...