Need pricing feedback for product shoot

[RKEnnis]

I'm working on trying to figure out pricing for a potential product shoot.

The client would need 4 views each of 4 separate products. The products are of "medium" size - roughly the size of a desktop computer or cable set-top box. The shots would be on either white or black background. I'd need to do post processing to the extent that I could provide Photoshop files with the product masked and extracted from the background. (I don't think that part would be difficult, since I could light the shot to facilitate masking).

I'm not a Pro by any means, so I'm not really looking to price this like a pro. I don't want to severely under price it either. I AM sure I can get the shots they want, since they already like the samples I've provided. I have access to a studio area thats pretty much set to go for the shots I need.

So, anyway. I need pricing help. Right now I'm thinking $1500.00, but I basically pulled that number from out of - uhm - thin air.

Also, are there any obvious gotchas from a business standpoint that I should think about?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[CaptainTom]

It sounds like a half day shoot and a half day processing which equals a whole day of work.

Commercial photographers can charge $5000/day or $500/day.
The prices depend on their reputation, client list, availability.

I think you $1500 price tag is very reasonable for someone starting out in the field.

Keep in mind that with some judicious googling they could find a production house that would do the same job for a lot less. They'd have to ship the product to them, but the total cost would be approx. $50/ image.

That's the lower end of the spectrum. You are quoting something in the middle and that would be a good starting point.

[RKEnnis]

Thanks for the feedback.

I wasn't aware of the pricing at the production houses. Considering the added cost of packing and shipping to a production house, my price seems to be in at least the same ball park. Plus they would get the added benefit of dealing with someone local.

Good to know that I'm not completely out of line.

I never really planned to make any money off of photography, but I guess it doesn't hurt. :)

[Steelsun]

When I do item photography, I'll either charge by the hour (including travel t/f site, post, etc) or, if in agreement with the client, a per-item or per-image fee.
It all depends on the subject matter, need, use, location, etc.

For something like this I would probably quote a per image fee. That way if the client is there and starts with "you know, an overhead shot would be good to" & "How about one with all the items side by side" etc., you would be covered.

Figure in your time, mileage, and other expenses (overhead, any equipment leasing, studio fees, etc) and then divide by the expected number of shots.

Off my rate sheet, I would probably go for $50-80 per image for this, depending on masking difficulties and how far I had to travel and what type of client it is (I charge aholes and idiots way more than a friendly person). So for 16 images (4 views of 4 items) on one trip out to the location under 30 miles round trip I would probably say $800-1280.

If the masking is difficult, I add about 10-20%, and usually sub out that part of the work.