Need help about a job, ASAP

[zoe08]

I have taken pictures for my husband's company of a few of their products mainly on an unofficial basis. DH just told them he could get me to take better pictures than their P&S they were using. The pictures have been used on their brochures.

I did the first for free and the others for extremely cheap because they just added a couple hours to DH's paycheck.

Well now they want me to do a big project as in ALL the pictures for their new website. They know this time they will have to pay, though I am afraid they still want to pay me at the same hourly rate they pay my husband. Which is not going to work. They want me to come up with a printed quote for the job.

I will have to about 1/2 day work photographing on location at their facility taking pictures of it and what they do. Most likely having to bring a lighting set up since the lighting in the warehouse is not very good.

They also have about 25 different smaller products and parts that they want individual professional pictures of. My husband will be able to bring a few of them home on the weekends or evenings for me to do those with my studio lights, but will still require taking down/setting up of lights every weekend or evening that I work on the pictures.

They also want all rights to the high resolution pictures to use them in whatever manner they please.

I have never had to make a quote sheet before. Could anyone tell me what to make it look like? And I don't really know what the going prices are for this kind of work is. I never really planned on doing work like this, it just kind of fell into my lap. And they have been very happy with the pictures I have produced so far.

I am just very afraid they are looking for professional work, but not wanting to pay a professionals price.

[CaptainTom]

I am just very afraid they are looking for professional work, but not wanting to pay a professionals price.

That's probably exactly what they are looking for.
This is the kind of thing that I do for a living.
From your description it sounds like a whole day of shooting and a half day of processing. They want full and complete usage, no problem.

I would quote $3000-$4000

Not kidding.
It sounds like a company that is used to paying employees an hourly wage.
You could quote them $250-$300/hr. If they advertise, they know the value of good photos and that they are not cheap. Don't sell yourself short because you don't want to "cause a fuss".....

P.S. I'll come out to Lubbock for $4000 plus expenses

[zoe08]

Thank you very much for the information. I know that they would not be willing to pay that much. But does make me feel better about charging more than they thought it would be.

I am making them a quote and then they can then make the decision whether to pay me and get good pictures, or do them on their own with a P&S like they did before.

[CaptainTom]

A professional photographer is born......

[Jenny Z]

Good luck, Kalee... they may surprise you and take you up on the offer anyway. ;) Be confident about it, and don't bat an eye when you tell them how much.

[CaptainTom]

Photography Pricing Rule number 12b:


Never price your photography services according to how much YOU can afford !!

[toverman]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Photography Pricing Rule number 12b:


Never price your photography services according to how much YOU can afford !!

That's for sure. I think as long as you aren't short-changing yourself, you can set the price to pay for more photography equipment for yourself afterward.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

If they advertise, they know the value of good photos and that they are not cheap.

Big assumption. The prevalence of stuff from istockphoto (sometimes even stolen from them...how cheap can you get?) and worse in advertisements for companies that should know better doesn't really bear out your statement.

That still doesn't mean they should be charged any less, though.

[klynam]

CaptainTom is right about the price you should ask.

However, if you hope to do more work with the company in the future - and preserve the good will internally toward your husband - you shouldn't jump from basically zero to market rate pricing. You should charge a price that is just high enough give them confidence you are for real. As you get a working relationship, you'll both settle on fair pricing - and fair is whatever you and the company decide is fair.

I'd recommend...

1. One full day shoot (don't fool yourself, a half-day wont be enough for a first time shoot) = 8hrs @ $75/hr = $600
2. 8hrs of review/selection/post processing for those shots = 8hrs @ $75/hr = $600
3. Table top product shots = 25 @ $50/ea = $1,250.00 (includes post work)
4. Unlimited usage = Included (this is easy - ask yourself when you'll ever use these shots again - probably never)

That gives you a final quote of $2,450.00 which is very fair to both parties and not unreasonably below market pricing. Most importantly, it gives you a little room to negotiate DOWN if you feel the need.

When you deliver the quote (in person) have some sample product shots with you. (That you have taken with your setup/equipment.) Compare what YOU will deliver to what they already have. Show them the value of their investment.

Maybe you cuss-n-discuss everything and settle on a flat fee of $2K for everything. That's still pretty good for both of you.

JMTC...

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by KD5NRH

Big assumption. The prevalence of stuff from istockphoto (sometimes even stolen from them...how cheap can you get?) and worse in advertisements for companies that should know better doesn't really bear out your statement.

That still doesn't mean they should be charged any less, though.

"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"

[zoe08]

Originally Posted by toverman

That's for sure. I think as long as you aren't short-changing yourself, you can set the price to pay for more photography equipment for yourself afterward.

That would be great if the equipment I had was paid off already.

They did accept the offer, so this is technically my first real paid photography job! :)

[kamari]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Photography Pricing Rule number 12b:


Never price your photography services according to how much YOU can afford !!

D@mn, I've just experienced a paradigm shift. I just realized I've been guilty of that from Day One.

[Aric C. Hoek]

a half day rate I assume would be about 6 hours. How much would you charge to shoot a 6 hour wedding and give the clients the DVD with unlimited reproduction rights?

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by Aric C. Hoek

a half day rate I assume would be about 6 hours. How much would you charge to shoot a 6 hour wedding and give the clients the DVD with unlimited reproduction rights?

Don't forget to adjust for an inanimate bride with no mother.

[Outlaw]

Over time, I've established what I feel good about as an hourly rate, and I charge everything across the board by that rate. It's simple for me and for my clients; sometimes I'm too pricey, sometimes they bite. I never work for less than a rate which puts a sly grin on my face. ;)

I think that will be my new official pricing methodology. I will blurt out whatever number makes me grin like I just ate the canary.