Photography at work - How much to charge?

[kurokaze204]

Hi all,

Well, I just got my SB-600 and 50mm f1.8 and one of the guys at work needs some product shots done. My boss has sugggested I charge for the work to cover the equipment cost.

I will be doing it on work time so I don't want to charge for time.

Has anybody else been in this situation before? How much per picture is resonable. I would include touching up with Nikon Capture in the deal.

I appreciate your help.

[Raskill]

My advice, not that I'm a professional, just an amature who wants to be....

Consider your time. Remember that the time to take the images will likely be a lot less than the time to do any PP, which may take hours. Even if you batch process images, you'll still have to check and double check each image.

Also, what's it worth to them to have the job done? Is it going to make the company a whole lotta money, or just a very small job? The bigger the gain for the company, the more you can potentially earn.

If you look at the charges of most tradesmen, it's generally about $75 an hour (mechanics, plumbers etc). I personally wouldn't charge that much, but if you feel you can justify it, then go for it.

$300 for four hours work might sound okay, but I suppose it's not a whole lot better than what your get for weekend penalty rates for most jobs.

Just my thoughts, hope they help.

[kurokaze204]

Thanks Raskill,

I am on staff here so there is no such thing as overtime rates. I need to steer away from time as much as possible.

We paid around $1,000 for the last 80 product shots we had done, but without a studio I'm not going to get to that standard of finish. I hear what you are saying about the PP time though. I will only be diong this on work time, I have already made that clear. With my Masters degree taking up after hours time I just don't have the ability to do it AH even if I could get extra $ for it.

The key here is that they don't want to pay for the full pro fees and I want to cover a little of my hardware investment and gain more photography experience while I'm at it. I just need some justification for a per photo price.

I was considering basing it on the rental costs of the hardware ($150 overnight for D70, lens and flash) and then about the same again for my "expertise", esp in PP. Divide that by 50 shots and I get $6 a picture. Is that too little? I've seen postcards that cost more than that and then you don't get to choose the subject.

[Raskill]

$6 a picture might seem a little if you were only doing a few images, but I suppose that 50 makes it $300 in the hand, which would buy you a 50mm F/1.4 Make sure your boss doesn't want an ABN for their accounting side of things.

Also like you said, it gives you experience. I'd ask if you can use any images you're happy with as examples of your work for future clients (if you choose to head that way).

But these are just my thoughts. Don't know how much value they have.

[PiroStitch]

Kuro,

What does your company charge per hour to the client? Estimate how long it will take you to take the photos + PP and charge accordingly. Come up with an agreement with your boss to take 50% of what is charged to the client.

You will end up taking a bit more than 50% esp. if you are doing it during work hours as during the time you are working, your company will still be paying you the hourly rate as stated in your original employment package.

[TonyH]

Hi,

you can be almost assured that in your position you are probably on a hiding to nothing. The fact that you aren't a "professional" means that your time and skill is questioned from the beginning.

I'm NOT demeaning your skills or talents as a photographer.....

Let me explain; I have a printing business which requires me to take photos of clients, products, objects, people etc from time to time. The fact that I'm a printer taking photos rather than a photographer with a studio means that to my clients the photos will always be second best but as long as the price is right they will be acceptable to them. Now, I'm not downgrading my skills or artistic ability here, but there is a perception that if you do not shoot photos all day every day then your work may not be up to "professional" standard and you are treated accordingly.

My advice to you is to charge the client what you think the job is worth to you, regardless of the amount and agree on that figure before starting the assignment. The main negative against you is the fact that the assignment has come through work being done on work time, so if you charge too much your boss could possibly get shirty with you because of the 'bonus' earnings.

As I said up front you are on a hiding to nothing. You want the assignment to gain experience, but find it akward to charge what the job is really worth....

Good Luck and let us know how you get on!!

[kurokaze204]

Thanks guys, good advice.

This job is to get rid of some old stock we have had laying around for a few years (thus the lack of marketing materials). Its have to put a price to client on it.

I will talk to the guy and see what he thinks it will bear.

Have a great weekend all!

[stuw]

Hi
I have been in the same situation a couple of times.
No.1, don't sell yourself short!
The others have given some good advice.
Both parties need to feel comfy with the $$$ idea.

The first time is the hardest!

No.2 What if work asks you to do another job? Smaller or larger, it is good to have a general pricing structure.

Work out what you would charge for a small job, ie one product could be around $40/photo as the standard rate. 30mins to setup and take a few pics, download and a couple of enhancements and after an hour you have one beautiful digital image!

Since this job is bigger, offer a discount for quantity. This makes them feel good as you are offering a discount! and they can see it!

Also, in the future if they ask you to photograph one product, both parties know.

The above happened to me and it was good to have a single product rate. There is always an extra product that was missed just after you have packed all the gear away!

Or another option is to throw in a few extra images, instead of a $$$ discount. Whatever works.

Good luck!

If you work for a company that wants a cheap deal, then it isn't worth it, even for the experience, as you will be used later on and you will never be treated as a pro, even if your pictures become pro-like.

If you need help with setups, I am sure there is a wealth of experience here to help, and you don't necessarily need to spend alot!

[stuw]

Doing it on work time has implications!

It does affect the price you may charge. ie double dipping!

Another issue is copyright! It sounds like you might hand over all copyright, especially if you are doing it in work time!

GST - on your invoice?

If you qualify, you may be able to use this form!

see ato website:
http://ato.gov.au/content/downloads/nat3346.pdf

[Lukster007]

When i bought my D70, I took over duties as the staff photographer for our magazines. As compensation for using my own equipment, I got them to buy me some studio lighting/equipment.

This was a win/win for both the company and I. I get studio lights, and they get better photos!

[PiroStitch]

Sorry forgot to add that thing about who owns copyright Make sure you own it at the end of the day. Best deal is just ot have all parties own all images, less complications then.

[Matt. K]

Six bucks per images is too little. Make it 12 dollars for each image they choose to use. It's still a bloody bargain.