freelance charge

[KKapple]

Hi All,

A client wants me to come out and photograph her staff and office.
I usually just build websites for people.

Whats a fair price to quote them on this.
Have all the gear I need and have been shooting a long time...just don't pursue the people stuff.

Thanks in advance.

[ShaneKislack]

How many people? What kind of usage? What's your CODB? What's your overhead? Make up? Will you use an assistant?

[KKapple]

6 people 8 rooms. Images for website only. No real overhead since I've had my gear for a while...minus the new lenses I just bought. No makeup or assistant either. Pretty easy shoot.

[ShaneKislack]

Well, 8 rooms is 8 set ups. Much more expensive than 6 people in one set up. You should take an assistant and charge a digital rental charge (to reimburse you for buying equipment). Also a digital handling fee. Postage, etc.

So all in all it'll probably take all day. How does $5000 sound for 8 shots and editorial usage on website only?

[KKapple]

Wow! Thats pretty steep.
Maybe I need to be doing this more often instead of building websites.
Is that a typical price?
I don't think they will fly for that much of a quote.
Maybe I am just completely ignorante on how much you guys charge that do this for a living and are pro's.

I shoot mainly stock and landscapes...so I really have no idea, even though it seems I should.

[ShaneKislack]

It's pretty typical if you are getting a pro to shoot it. They could probably get an amateur to shoot it for under $500. But a pro, who is doing it for a living, is going to charge a lot more.

It may be 'steep', but they are probably valuable photos. If they are not valuable, then they probably don't need a pro to shoot it. But yes, the pros I shoot for get that on a regular basis.

[AndrewCCM]

I shoot this sorta thing (similar) for around $2000 + all expenses (assuming a 6-8hr day). I would love to charge $5k if I could get it.. LOL

[Thorpeland]

Ilikelegs, you mentioned you shoot stock. Well this sounds like you would be providing this company with their own custom "stock" type shots for use on their website and print materials. One of the reasons companies buy from stock agencies is to save the fee's of hiring on site photographers if they can get by with a more generic image. But when they do hire for on-site work, it should be worth your time and the investment you've made in your equipment. Since they WILL be making money off the images you provide.

Now, you did say "people stuff" wasn't your normal main focus of work. I would keep that in mind when coming up with a price. That and given the size of the company, you don't want to price yourself out of a job. AndrewCCM says he charges around $2k + expenses. I would say that would be a reasonable price for someones first shoot of this type, for a small to mid-sized company.

But of course they could always change their mind and ask the owners kid "with that cool looking camera he came in with that one day", to just come by and take some pics. Haha

[ShaneKislack]

For most pros, 2K would be good if he were shooting them all in the same set up. But 8 set ups is a lot and should probably really be taking two days. I don't know any pros that would want to try and do 8 set ups in one day, especially without an assistant.

But I'm assuming you're not a pro, so 2K would be gravy.

[ShaneKislack]

Andrew, how much do you think expenses would be?

[AndrewCCM]

Gosh... I have no idea.. One of those things best discussed with the client.

I always have an assistant (which is typically another professional photog) there as not only an assistant, but a second set of eyes. With my example, my expenses are typically rental space, specialized props and/or MUA types.

I didn't think about 8 setups.. That is a lot...unless they are just planning on simple "snap shots" or very basic lighting setup.

I am about to do a major sports team photo shoot in Sept. with 16 subjects and 2 locations. One of the expenses is a rental studio with a large white cyc for a couple of hours. The client is supplying MUA and hair dresser, otherwise...that would be a calculated expense as well.

Let me preface everything by stating, I don't do a ton of these types of shoots. My money is more made as a hired gun for other photographers. I do my own gigs irregularly when it's something interesting.

Shane brings up some very good points in this thread. You really have to gauge the client. Are they wanting real professional portraits or are they just needing some "decent" shots for their website. Only they can tell you if it's something they really value or just would like to have.

Good luck!