 Kumiko Parkinson |
Kids' sports photos I'd taken some photos for my best friend, at her daughter's swimming competition once. Then her friend want to hire me to take some photos for her own kids. How can I charge her? My basic plan is: charge $210 for 2 hours (1 hr shooting and 1hr processing) and all the (good) photos in CD, prints are extra. But I have nooooo idea if it's reasonable or ridiculous, help me! And also I want to ask this....in case they don't like my photos, what happens? How do you handle that kind of situations professionally? Thank you!
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Mark Feldstein |
With a written contract, signed by both you and your client, regardless of friendship status, and one that outlines ALL the terms and conditions of your arrangement. Including fees, prices, cancellation terms, best efforts clauses, usage fees, copyright ownership, releases for additional usage, payment for processing, incidentals, and if they don't like your work, criteria, terms and conditions for reshooting and any incidental costs that may apply. Get a book called Law for Photographers that includes forms, read it and use it. Without a written agreement, it's your word against theirs and if you don't get paid, this will probably be the reason. If you want to do business, then DO business, notwithstanding friendship.
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Kumiko Parkinson |
Thank you, Mark, for your quick response. Yes, contract...of course...! Do you know the average hourly fee, I know it varies a lot, but can you give me some idea?
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Mark Feldstein |
Well Kumiko, it's difficult for me to tell you. What I charge my clients is based on a myriad of factors including the levels of my experience, usage and other things I mentioned should go into your written contract, travel time, whether I have an assistant or two helping me out, expenses, what type of work is involved. For example the hourly fees per assignment for Reuters vs. Associated Press in Northern California differ somewhat. Commercial work is very costly as are the usage fees based on the value of the work to the client. It appears that what you're doing is essentially portraiture on location. For that I recommend you join a local association like PPofA (Professional Photographers of America) attend local chapter meetings and talk to the local pros after awhile to see what they charge. Then DON'T undercut/underprice them. That might work for you for now, but in the long run, it's the kiss of death for someone starting out in this business. Take it light.
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Kumiko Parkinson |
Thank you for your time and kindness, Mark! Very constructive advises, truly appreciated. Checked some and ordered two books @ amazon!
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