Client request

[Tom Reid]

I've been recently hired to do player and team photos for a local hockey team. This will involve the standard shots as well as player and team collages and we've set the price for those.

The manager has also asked if I could attend a game and take action shots from the bench. We've agreed on a fee for my attending the game but it's not a normal request. They would like to purchase a CD of images rather than purchasing individual prints. I don't think they are doing it to save money but rather for a year end project for the team. Perhaps a scrapbook or poster.

I'm somewhat hesitant to fulfill this request but would like to have an open mind about it. I was thinking of selling the CD of images for $150.00. Appreciate any thoughts.

Tom

[liza]

I wouldn't do it. They, like many other customers, want something for next to nothing. Have you considered an online, password protected gallery (e.g. Smugmug or Shutterfly) instead? That would give the customer more options.

[peatoire]

I don't think that's too much IMO if that's what you're worried about. Don't forget that's all your work on that one cd. The standard over here in the uk would be around £100-£150. Quite a few photographers woudn't even entertain the idea of giving up that source of revenue. I paid an additional £200 ($350) for all my wedding shots on cd.

[gmen]

The standard over here in the uk would be around £100-£150. Is there a 'standard' rate for this sort of thing?

---- Gavin

[symes]

I've been recently hired to do player and team photos for a local hockey team. This will involve the standard shots as well as player and team collages and we've set the price for those.

The manager has also asked if I could attend a game and take action shots from the bench. We've agreed on a fee for my attending the game but it's not a normal request. They would like to purchase a CD of images rather than purchasing individual prints. I don't think they are doing it to save money but rather for a year end project for the team. Perhaps a scrapbook or poster.

I'm somewhat hesitant to fulfill this request but would like to have an open mind about it. I was thinking of selling the CD of images for $150.00. Appreciate any thoughts.

Tom

That is a tough issue, because essentially you are giving the action shots away. Remember these kids pay $25.00 for an 8 X 10 action shot at any tournament they go to. That means that for the price of 5 kids, the images are essentially theirs...It is a tough one because if you set that your standard, then teams will always want that.

I have my print prices set lower than the tournament prices, but for a single 8X10 and that image on CD, I charge $100.00.

Things worth considering...

Cheers,

[Tom Reid]

I charge about half the going rate for the prints sold at tournaments which is about $20.00 here on the east coast. I should charge more as mine are processed at a local photo shop as opposed to photo paper through a printer. Either way I want to keep the prices low and affordable to more people. Right now it's not a source of income as much as it is a source of paying for the equipment I've purchased for my hobby. I hope within the next few years when I retire from my day job that it will be a source of income.

Anway, back to the issue at hand. What if I were to sell a CD containing one image of each player and at a price equal to my profit if I were to sell each an 8x10 print. I could also ask that they not be reproduced and only used for their year end project. I live in a relatively small community so I'm sure word would get back to me if my request were ignored.

The issue of the same expectation next year may be a valid point and concerns me. Do it once and it may be difficult to explain to another team why you cannot do the same for them. May need a couple of sleeps on that one!! As for the Smugmug site, I'm not sure how that would be any different than giving out a CD. If I'm missing the point steer me in the right direction!!

Thanks folks.

[liza]

Smugmug would be different in that they would have to purchase individual prints from the site. You can control the prices so that you actually make a profit. People wanted me to give away my images, too, and I refused to do so. Once they realized the answer would be a consistent "no," they started purchasing the prints. If you set up a site on Smugmug or Shutterfly, people will become accustomed to you doing business in that manner. I'm getting ready to purchase a pro account on Smugmug myself as running back and forth to the lab is time consuming and expensive.