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04/30/2014 05:27:24 PM · #1 |
| I know there are tons of threads on charging for services, but this is a pretty specific question. I've been asked to take pictures at an 8th grade graduation/party/dance. They're looking for a photographer who will walk around and take candid shots...nothing formal. It's a 4 hour event and I'm assuming they'll want me there the entire time, or at least most of it. That's part one. Part Two: have photos available so that whoever wants them can download. I was thinking of something like Snapfish. It will take a little time to post-process, etc. I've been asked what I would charge. I have NO idea whatsoever. Don't want to price myself out of a job but don't want to give away my services either. And, if it makes a difference, this is the first time I've done something like this. Thought it might be a good place to start. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. |
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04/30/2014 05:39:23 PM · #2 |
Well, due to the somewhat informal nature of the event, I'd say the best approach is to figure out what you need to make per hour and then figure out your TOTAL hours of commitment. That should include things like travel, processing, time at the event, and should also be sufficient to cover any costs you may incur.
From what you've said, I'm guessing 10-15 hours should cover it - so just ask yourself how much you need to make per hour.
Perhaps less obvious is the need to also consider the tax liability on the income, since you will be working as a 1099, that's going to mean you'll need to file a different set of tax forms if you're employed as a W-2 currently, and will need to account for not only the cost of the tax, but the cost of the services etc.
Not to be too discouraging, but insurance is another good idea - if you should accidentally back into a student while shooting and injure them there's a reasonable chance you'll be sued - so I'd recommend a liability waver or insurance..
Business is hard. :(
Message edited by author 2014-04-30 17:43:10. |
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04/30/2014 05:56:20 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Well, due to the somewhat informal nature of the event, I'd say the best approach is to figure out what you need to make per hour and then figure out your TOTAL hours of commitment. That should include things like travel, processing, time at the event, and should also be sufficient to cover any costs you may incur.
From what you've said, I'm guessing 10-15 hours should cover it - so just ask yourself how much you need to make per hour.
Perhaps less obvious is the need to also consider the tax liability on the income, since you will be working as a 1099, that's going to mean you'll need to file a different set of tax forms if you're employed as a W-2 currently, and will need to account for not only the cost of the tax, but the cost of the services etc.
Not to be too discouraging, but insurance is another good idea - if you should accidentally back into a student while shooting and injure them there's a reasonable chance you'll be sued - so I'd recommend a liability waver or insurance..
Business is hard. :( |
You're not too discouraging...just somewhat discouraging. Given what your're saying, I would think it reasonable to ask for $600. That might be too steep for them, though. |
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04/30/2014 06:23:54 PM · #4 |
honestly, if i was you, i wouldn't do this AT ALL. and i do mean to be discouraging.
they *can't* afford to pay you what it would take for the time and effort you are going to have to put into this, let alone the aggravation of figuring out all the moving parts (the business side, the shooting, the workflow, the delivery). it's one thing to do this if you were already established and well-versed in the mechanics of event shooting, it's a whole nuther nightmare to do it the first time without having planned on jumping into the business of photography.
trust me, you are going to have well into 20-30 hours in this, probably as much as 50 hours, before it's over. i'm taking into account even the time you are going to have to spend researching and trying to figure this out, as well as the time doing it. unless this is a direction you want to take your life, it's probably not worth the hassle.
ON THE OTHER HAND...
if you go in with the understanding that you are going to shoot and do no post-production (other than throwing away the bad ones), and that you are going to upload straight to snapfish (or something similar), you could probably do it for $300.
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some food for thought...
things have changed dramatically over just the past 5 years in terms of what it means to have a "photography business". there are more people than ever that want to try it out and do so without a clue as to anything more than just taking pictures and giving them to people. these people don't last very long, once they realize just what's involved in actually running a business.
however, if you (or anyone else) would like to make some side money, it is possible, but it's not automatic. it takes some work and planning. you can't half-ass it very long and be successful. the thing is to do it right, with purpose, as opposed to just jumping in because an opportunity looks like a good place to start. |
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04/30/2014 07:11:35 PM · #5 |
| Good advice from both of you. Thanks. My thought now is to charge $300 and that would include the time at the event (probably less than 3 hours) and the time it will take to review the photos...get rid of the bad stuff...upload to Snapfish or the like, and my driving time. It would be an informal job, not intended to launch me into a business. |
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04/30/2014 09:17:44 PM · #6 |
if you keep it *that* simple, i think you'll do just fine, and $300 is good and fair.
the only thing i'd add, is that if they balk at the $300, i'd tell them that between the time you'll be putting into it, the cost of your equipment, computer, and software, you're practically giving them the job, and if they can't come up with $300 then maybe they should just find a parent who will do it for free...
good luck! |
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