Full day agency fashion shoot - What should i charge>?

[Nabil-A]

Here is a recent email i received.

"I need a photgrapher for a whole day between april and may for a project that i am doing, Im an international model and private agent to 19 models both of male and female sex, and i am looking for a good photographer to take some fashion photos dates still to be set but if you could get back to regarding this mater, with fees per shoot/hour and availibility.
Depending on how the shoots go i could have a lot more work for your company"

Not sure how to tackle this as i have no info on whether prints are required or cd. I dont want to give them the impression of being unprofessional so i need to know what an agency expects for a final product and how best to respond.

Some pointers on rate charges would be appreciated.

[EricKonieczny]

$100 per hour then determine what the output and usage of the photos will be , then add that on.

Im guessing $1300-2000

[DocFrankenstein]

We can't tell you much. You need more info.

Ask them what kind of images they want.
What medium
Post processing
Copyrights
Deadlines
Special requests of any sorts?

You don't have to quote a price from the very start IMO

Unless you specialize in JUST model photography.

[jj1987]

yeah get all their info, see if they've done it before, and if they slip up and tell you how much the last guy got, let that be your bottom end negotiating price.

[brivett]

Start high and be prepared to negotiate - you can't increase a price to low if they snap your arm off.....

[Nabil-A]

thanks for the headsup

Ive responded requesting specific further information, we'll see what happens.

[PhotosGuy]

Ask them what kind of images they want.
What medium
Post processing
Copyrights
Deadlines
Special requests of any sorts?
Indoors or out?
# of locations?
# of people in them?
Need a makeup artist?
Need an assistant? Maybe 2?

Hourly rate: The better you are & the faster you work, the less you are paid. Give a "Day rate".

Etc, etc... ;)

[GaryTorello]

Here is a recent email i received.

"I need a photgrapher for ...-=snipped=-
Depending on how the shoots go i could have a lot more work for your company"

I may be a cynic.. but this last sentence should make the hairs on the back of your neck go up... as it usually means "here's a carrot.. will you work cheap?"

although let's hope in this case I'm wrong.. (I has happened before!)

[DocFrankenstein]

I may be a cynic.. but this last sentence should make the hairs on the back of your neck go up... as it usually means "here's a carrot.. will you work cheap?"

although let's hope in this case I'm wrong.. (I has happened before!)
I think it was Scottes who said:

"I won't pick up my camera until they sign the contract" ;)

[asdf]

I'm surprised only two of the replies to date has picked up on the possible dubious nature of this enquiry. After spending a couple of decades working as a photographer I've been burnt plenty, and that line of "depending on how things go on the first shoot, you could see a lot of work from us coming your way" or variations thereof ( Depending on how the shoots go i could have a lot more work for your company) is the BIG RED FLAG that these may not be the type of clients you want.

My experience has shown me that there are basically three groups/types of clients. The first is a very small and coveted group of clients that we all enjoy working for. These are the ones that know what a professional is worth, and pay the money you mutually agree on before undertaking an assignment, and abstain from any maneuvering after-the-fact. The next group, the largest, consist of clients that while they will try to haggle to some extent will not cause you excessive grief and generally pay on time. The third group consists of the bottom feeding weasels who, time and time again, use and burn creative content producers. They always promise the Golden Goose if only you cut them a break on the first gig. Run, don't walk away from these low-lifes. They have no regard for your craft. They are merely looking for the next hard-working photographer to take advantage of and line their pockets with the profits they make.

I'm not saying that this is the case in your circumstance, but they've potentially tipped their hand. What to do? If you tread very carefully, and maintain a professional decorum and take pains to get payment BEFORE actual release of the photographs then, who knows, you might have something there.

I hope you don't get burned in this transaction. Good Luck.

P.S. I checked out your site... nice. You produce solid work so charge accordingly. I also do TFP for models, but would hesitate in stating that on a website. Usually if they are financially strapped and I feel they are serious I will do TFP, but if they can afford to pay...well I'm in business to make money.