Silent auction - What's it worth???

[Digigeek]

I'm looking for some input on a value question and hope you guys can help.

I'm involved in youth oriented group with my kids and we are having a fund raiser with a silent auction. I am considering putting up for bid my services to shoot the winning bidder's kid during a sporting event. The package would include my attendance at the kid's game, some 8X10 prints (4?), and the final post-processed hi res images on CD.

I'm trying to get an idea of two things: (a) what would something like that cost if a parent hired it done, and (b) what would be a reasonable minimum bid to place on it.

My background is shooting youth sports (junior high and younger) for my kids and their friends for the last 5+ years, primarily baseball, basketball and volleyball. Since this is a hobby only, I typically give each kid on the team a print of them in action at the end of the season. The kids and their parents always seem to be excited to get them as it is not something normally available through other sources. From what others have said, I believe the quality is good, and I'm using top of the line gear.

I'm not trying to use this as an entree into a sideline job, nor am I seeking to make any money from photography. I simply want to help the group raise money. Before I commit to doing this, I would like to have an idea of whether it will draw enough dollars for the cause to make it worth my time. For example, if it is only worth $50, I'd just as soon give the cause $50 and save my time. I know the outcome depends on the wealth of the bidders. The attendees will be middle to upper middle class families.

Any thoughts?

[toverman]

I'd figure an hourly rate and factor in how long it would take you to travel to and from the playing field, get the shot(s) and the time/cost of processing and providing a print. Place the value higher than your cost so that there is a 20 percent "profit." No telling how much the item would actually bring at the silent auction, but showing true value couldn't hurt.

[CaptainTom]

I donated a "Day in your Childs life" session to a local private school last year.
I gave it the same value as a long wedding.
The school was elated when they got a bid of $3500 (which was lower than the wedding value).

Most people will just want to participate in the live auction aspect and don't pay a lot of attention sometimes to what they are bidding on.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I donated a "Day in your Childs life" session to a local private school last year.
I gave it the same value as a long wedding.
The school was elated when they got a bid of $3500 (which was lower than the wedding value).

Most people will just want to participate in the live auction aspect and don't pay a lot of attention sometimes to what they are bidding on.

How did the session turn out, and what did it entail? Sounds like a neat package to sell outright to higher-end clients.

[Digigeek]

Thanks for the responses. Any ideas on the cost per hour for this type of thing by the average photog trying to make a living at it?

My work billing rate is not meaningful since it is apples and oranges, and my available personal time is pretty limited so its value to me is not really relevant. I'm figuring probably a minimum 5 to 6 hour investment on my part.

[AndrewCCM]

$75 - $125 per hour is my normal rate for strictly contracting services.
Sporting events and/or longer contracts and such are typically less than that however.

[Digigeek]

Thanks Andrew.