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12/30/2007 05:16:34 PM · #1 |
...woke up with a business?
A few weeks ago I was shooting a band at school (just for my own pleasure) when one of the wives of the band asked if I'd be willing to send them my shots to use on their myspace. I told her I'd have no problem with that, as long as I was credited with the photography. A day later I got an email, they loved my work and wanted me to come out to a bar and shoot them at their last show of the year. Again, they loved what I was doing for them.
I didn't ask them for any money, I told them the experience was more important to me then the money. Plus I personally think that if I'm going to be paid as a photographer then I should be able to garentee what I'm going to deliver as a product. But at any rate, they really want to start paying me (which I have no problem with, I've done several sucessful shoots this far) and they also have several other bands who would like to hire me.
So I need some advice. How much shoud I charge? Per hour? Per Shot? Flat rate? Normally I end up sending about 15-20 shots that are edited and everything, ready to go up on the bands website. I copyright everything and tell them that I retain the rights, just give them limited-use rights to the image.
How do I go about setting up work with a client? Should I have a contract (I do alot of freelance audio engineering and we use contracts for alot of stuff)? Do things change between someone I've worked for before and a new client?
And how do I deal with my biggest fear (which I assume comes along with the wedding photographer as well) of having a moment to capture right in front of you, and fumbling with your camera and for whatever reason not capturing the moment?
Any advice is more then welcome, I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment but also extremely excited. I don't post alot on here but I read alot of the threads and love looking at the winners in the challenges.
-CW |
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12/30/2007 05:23:01 PM · #2 |
What you charge is really up to you. You decide what you can live with and what your time is worth. Period.
You should ALWAYS have a contract. Every shoot. Every time. With every client. Keep in mind that unless they have signed model releases, you can't even use it for promotional use for your (growing) business. I would go back and ask them to do that too. It protects them (from malicious photoshopping) AND you (from lawsuits should you sell one, use one to make a profit, or show them to other people).
Fear is a good thing, it makes you pay attention to the details :) Don't ever lose your nerves, just don't let them overwhelm you. Sounds like you do pretty well right now, so just keep doing what you are doing :)
I hope this helps you :)
ETA: Oh, and congratulations :)
Message edited by author 2007-12-30 17:23:20. |
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12/30/2007 05:25:25 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by chris48083:
Went to bed one night with a hobby... |
Was it hot? |
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12/30/2007 05:57:50 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by LanndonKane:
Originally posted by chris48083:
Went to bed one night with a hobby... |
Was it hot? |
I can't put it into words, we'll just say it made a man out of me.
TCGuru, thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. I guess my biggest question is: what is the normal price for a package like that? |
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12/30/2007 06:26:09 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by chris48083:
Originally posted by LanndonKane:
Originally posted by chris48083:
Went to bed one night with a hobby... |
Was it hot? |
I can't put it into words, we'll just say it made a man out of me.
TCGuru, thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. I guess my biggest question is: what is the normal price for a package like that? |
There is no "normal" price. Everyone charges differently. Some people charge by the hour, some charge by the print. It's really up to you. Just look up prices and see what you can live with :) |
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12/30/2007 08:15:23 PM · #6 |
| I thought you said you went to bed with a hobbit... |
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12/30/2007 09:34:27 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I thought you said you went to bed with a hobbit... |
Hobits are pretty steamy too. |
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