I've been offered some work!

glitch · 21 Feb 2006 at 14:14

Unfortunately it's not what I'd normally consider to be within my comfort zone.

I did a few portrait shots for a local recruitment agency (something to do with valentines cards and marketing literature) and they've come back to me with half a day's work to produce some photography for some marketing literature they want to create with/on behalf of a client. Last time I got given a bottle of bourbon for 15 minutes work, but this time it's slightly more involving!

I'm supposed to follow a couple of people around for the day as they visit customers and generally do their job, along with some product photography and suchlike. Great, but I usually take pictures of flowers!

I know I'll need to borrow a flashgun at the very least, possibly a lens too (17-40mm and a 100mm macro might not cut it...) but they've asked me to quote a price and I'm more used to selling individual prints rather than charging for a day's work!

What would you lot consider the going rate for a 1/2 day's work?

Slime101 · 21 Feb 2006 at 14:35

I would think your 17-40 and 100 macro are ideal actually - but as you say youll need a flashgun without a doubt.

Think about an hourly rate, minimum of £25 - so thats about £100 for a morning providing thats it, if it involves post processing, printing or anything else including travel/food/accomodation etc then charge that in too.

Mohain · 21 Feb 2006 at 14:35

I buy photography for marketing collateral (I'm a Production Manager in a design agency) and the going rate (in London) is between £350 to £600 for half a day, sometimes with expenses and processing on top. Also images are usually licensed for use & time (e.g. brochure work for 1 year) and any use of these images after this time (e.g. reprints) or outside the agreed usage (e.g. exhibition stands) should be paid for again.

This is for established photographers though and if you've already done a job for them for a bottle of the brown stuff then they might be expecting a cheaper deal!

Good luck,

Mohain

glitch · 21 Feb 2006 at 14:51

Slime101 said:
I would think your 17-40 and 100 macro are ideal actually - but as you say youll need a flashgun without a doubt.

Think about an hourly rate, minimum of £25 - so thats about £100 for a morning providing thats it, if it involves post processing, printing or anything else including travel/food/accomodation etc then charge that in too.

I'm worried about the 17-40mm being a bit wide for the sort of reportage stuff they want, wondering if a 50mm prime would be a nicer option.

Mohain said:
This is for established photographers though and if you've already done a job for them for a bottle of the brown stuff then they might be expecting a cheaper deal!

I completely agree. I think I'll charge whatever it will cost to buy a nice flash. Canon 430 EX seems like a decent option.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 21 Feb 2006 at 15:07

I would go for it anyway. When it comes to applying for full time jobs or having someone pay you for work nothings better than having past experiences having clients that have used you. It will show you can do it and also the people skills are there.

cyKey · 21 Feb 2006 at 15:17

Be very very very careful about under charging. A few months ago I asked for peoples advice and they advised me not to. I however did because it would be good experience. I've grown up since then and I now charge resonable fee's. However the client was very shocked when they asked me to do a similar job and it was 5x the original price. Its very hard to try and justify why it was originally cheap and now isn't.