BetterPhoto Q&A
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Justin Kriel		Charging structure in the U.S. Hi all I have just moved to Washington DC from the UK. I have been a photographer for over 10 year and have worked in a few different countries and have found that prices and charging vary greatly. I'm a commercial photographer, but will generally do anything I can get my hands on. So I'm looking for any advice on what kind of fee I could expect and how I should structure my charges, i.e. hourly rate vs. job rate, here in the US. Any help or comments would be really helpful. Cheers To love this question, log in above January 09, 2007

Mark Feldstein		Greetings Justin and welcome to the party. I strongly recommend that you find and join local chapters of whatever professional association suits your preferences. Asmp.org, (media photographers) NPPA (National Press Photographers) or APAnational.com (Advertising Photographers). Even Editorial Photographers would be useful as most members of all 4 groups are willing to discuss rates with other members but not with people just trying to coat tail them, so-to-speak. Personally, I belong to 3 of the 4 I mentioned and find them all worthwhile, important groups for photographers, especially photojournalists. Good luck. Mark To love this comment, log in above January 09, 2007

Justin Kriel		Great, thanks Mark. I will definitely look into a couple of those organisations. Obviously my biggest problem for now is getting a foot in the door with prospective clients, which I can't do if I’m inadvertently overcharging. But I also don’t want to undercharge either, for obvious reasons as well as for the fact that undercutting prices has a largely negative effect on other photographers and the industry as a whole. Which is why I'm looking for a bit of insight. If I get a chance I will post how get on with those associations. Thanks again, Cheers. To love this comment, log in above January 09, 2007

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