Nightclub photography rates

Invertigo

Invertigo

Invertigo

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Joined
19 Sep 2010
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Location
The North
Hey there

I've been in contact with a local club, and they want to hire me to be their events photographer, covering Friday and Saturday nights. Work I've done previously has either been for friends or charity nights, so I have generally charged low prices.

However, this is a well established club, and there is always a decent queue on both weekend nights. They are a fairly premium venue, so I was wondering about costs.

They want me for 3 hours a night, 10/11pm til 2am, so I was thinking something around £80-100 per night would be reasonable enough? Would work out around £20/hr including editing time.

Any advice?
 
I charged £30 an hour (usually 1.5 hours) for club photography whilst I was at (Bristol) uni (student clubs), so given that they're more premium, I'd say maybe £100 as the very minimum?
 
As with anything service based, it's what you're happy with.

For us, given the work, environment and unsociable hours we'd want at least £250 per night to make it worthwhile.

But if £100 a night makes that worthwhile for you then that's the right price for you. I'd also go in higher anyway so there's some flexibility to come down.
 
Agreed, if they want you, they will pay a decent rate for you. I would absolute minimum is £100 a night/push for £150- bear in mind you potential need to pay your own travel, time, processing etc - also don't forget the drunks/idiots etc at 2am in the morning! Plus your giving up your Friday and Saturday nights to do it.
 
I do love how people expect something for nothing, the manager just called me offering £35 a night, for 4 hours work plus editing time. Promptly declined the offer, without any hesitation!

I had a little look at the costings too, and giving ~2 hours to editing and processing, it works out at ~£5.80 an hour, which is less than every other staff member...
 
Invertigo said:
I do love how people expect something for nothing, the manager just called me offering £35 a night, for 4 hours work plus editing time. Promptly declined the offer, without any hesitation!
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£35 a night seems very reasonable, all you do is turn up and click a button right? Anyone can do that... In fact you should be paying them, free entry to the venue and i'm sure lots of attention from the ladies as well :p.

/sarcasm
 
I was dubious by the OP tbh. Unless it's Fabric or Pacha then there's no demand or budget for decent photography normally and the only people that would do it are students.
 
There also a high chance your camera being could be broken by being bumped into by load of drunks...
As night clubs are normal packed so tight your pushed into each other ..(even when sober)

Plus many times you will get drink splashed all over you because of the above..
 
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Sh4rkie said:
£35 a night seems very reasonable, all you do is turn up and click a button right? Anyone can do that... In fact you should be paying them, free entry to the venue and i'm sure lots of attention from the ladies as well :p.

/sarcasm
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"It will look great on your portfolio!"


Russinating said:
I was dubious by the OP tbh. Unless it's Fabric or Pacha then there's no demand or budget for decent photography normally and the only people that would do it are students.
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I was thinking the same, unless its a really big club, they just aren't going to care that much. These are the same places which 'employ' people to work in their toilets as attendants, but the only wage they get is the tips from customers.
 
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