BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Selling Your Photos

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member
 

Pricing Commercial Jobs


How do you determine how to charge for the work you do? I just recently graduated from college, and have had a few job offers shooting for some local magazines, and I'm not sure how to set my rates. Any suggestions?


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November 01, 2005

 

BetterPhoto Member
  More than likely, the magazines you may shoot for will be versed in what the rates are. So ask them. What is the going rate? What kind of usage might the photos be used for? What photos do you need? Mail is best and you should address the letter to whoever you determine is in charge of photo or art editing with a phone call to the magazine. Act like you know what you're doing, because you do. You are the photographer. They just don't have to know that you have never done this for a magazine before. Let them tell you what they want, how they want it, when they want it, how much you'll get for it. They're the boss. And the more you do this, the more you'll get the hang of it. And if you're worried about getting hung out to dry, don't. 99 times out of 100, when dealing with a magazine they are up-front. They have to be or else the pages would have nothing but text.
Walrath Photographic Imaging
http://home.comcast.net/~flash19901/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html


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November 02, 2005

 

William Koplitz
  I would suggest you call one of the photographer's who has already shot for the magazine. Most photographer's will talk to you about business. Then, when the magazine tells you how much they are paying for the assignment you'll have an idea of what's really happening. Are they are hiring you because you are cheap? or because they didn't pay the last guy and can't go back to him? or something else. Hopefully they are paying you their usual rate because they want a fresh look and new talent.


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November 08, 2005

 
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