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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> I need assistance with pricing a 5 day photo shoot
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05/15/2014 09:04:10 AM · #1
I have been asked to provide a quote for a photo shoot for the purpose of creating a calendar of the dancers for a sports team. This isn't an NFL level sports team but they are a professional team in a new league. I shoot for the new Miami Inferno but it's not them (different sport). They did call me because they like the work that I did for that team as well, but this new team wants me to accompany them on a five day Bahamas cruise to shoot for the calendar. Rough job! I know.

It was not completely clear if I would be shooting all five days, but the shoot will primarily be done while on the cruise company's private island, Half Moon Cay. Obviously, I want the job but I am torn between pricing it fairly so that I get the job yet I am compensated for my work and five days of my time absent from other potential work and clients. They, of course, will be paying for my travel and accommodations on the cruise, but I am not looking at this as a little bit of work on a five day vacation because I don't care much for cruises, especially cruises to the Bahamas.

I've considered charging them a daily rate and telling them that it includes me shooting for them everyday even though most or all of the shooting for the calendar is going to be done in one day at the private island. However, if they have it in their mind that they are to pay me for five days when they mostly receive one day's worth of shooting then they might think that I am charging too much.

So, any ideas as to how to charge for this?

Message edited by author 2014-05-15 09:04:57.
05/15/2014 09:23:34 AM · #2
im not going to even say i have any idea where to start, but have you considered how you intend to license the images? if you making a lot of money on the backend you may adjust your pricing up front.
05/15/2014 09:36:57 AM · #3
I don't think that there is much potential in backend income on this...too minor of a team at this point and that would complicate it a bit. I'd rather keep it simple by charging them up front and giving them a license for unlimited use.
05/15/2014 10:14:02 AM · #4
I'd suggest pricing the shoot and separating that from any concept of days.
Customer satisfaction is largely about managing customer expectations - if the customer gets more than they expected, they're happy. Less, and they're unhappy. Even if what they get is exactly the same.
If they've asked you to do the job, they want you to do it. They want to know up front what it will cost them. This means you can price yourself out of the job - more than they want to pay or can afford. Regardless of the amount of time you actually spend shooting, it is going to take 5 days of your time.
Congratulations on the opportunity. You must do some very nice work, or you probably wouldn't even be considered for this job.
05/15/2014 11:51:01 AM · #5
Awesome gig! Congrats.

Pricing is always the toughest part. Just remember - you will be away from your home base, so you will not be able to accept any other assignments during that time. This merits "out of town" rates, regardless of how many days of actual shooting you will do. Alternatively, they can fly you out for the one or two days they want you to shoot. Also, you being on assignment at a private location means they have you 24/7. So you also need to be clear on when you are expected to be available for shooting. Even they do not yet know what and when they will have you shooting. It can easily get out of hand if you don't set up some parameters beforehand.

Your proposal should also include equipment rental (you don't want to take your own camera!!! What if it gets lost/stolen/falls into the pool...), insurance (which you should already have), all the transfing, processing, etc.,

Blink Bid is a photography billing program which lists all the things you can/should consider when building your estimate. Of course, you don't have to charge for everything, but it makes you think about things to consider. Also, be clear about what the final delivery will be. How many images. What format. What if they later want more from the shoot? Etc.

Also, unless they will be paying for every single snack or drink you will have during the day, you need a per diem. And you need to discuss model releases with them as well.

Good luck! Oh, and if you need an assistant, I'm available :)
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