Product Photography and Pricing

[pyterps]

I was asked yesterday to photograph a ladies whole jewelry line that she sells online. She does not like the photos she has and wants them redone. Does one charge by the item or by the hour and how much are some of you all charging? Also, if anyone has a photo of their setup I would really like to see it and any examples.

Thanks,

Dave

[chtgrubbs]

Well, the simplest way to figure it would be to ask what she payed the other photographer and charge her the same. Can you give a link to her current web page or provide a sample photo? Alot of the price depends on how complicated the shots are and how much quality of image she wants. How many pieces does she have to be photographed?

[mizuno]

Why would you charge the same as someone who did a (I assume) poor job?

[Amorous]

Why would you charge the same as someone who did a (I assume) poor job?
I agree, it makes sense.

It'll be hard to charge by hours because it will depend on how many items. I would suggest to try some test shots of your own and time how long it takes for one item. Based on that and your hourly rate, you can tell you client how much one item will be. Of course you may give her a discount if it is a large quantity.

[PhotosGuy]

I'd charge a minimum 1/2 day rate which would include a set-up charge (which you need to show in the proposal & invoice as N/C) , but not include an extra per-shot charge which would be paid in addition. Or a set-up charge + a per-shot charge with a minimum # of shots. Otherwise the day will come when she just wants one shot & you'll begin to lose your shirt if you only charge per-shot. Also, if anyone has a photo of their setup I would really like to see it and any examples. So you haven't shot jewelry before? Better try some real fast so you know what you're getting into! FAQ - Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140) We put these "Sticky"s here for a reason, guys!
Why would you charge the same as someone who did a (I assume) poor job? Excellent point! ;)

[snibbetsj]

Shooting jewelry is a tough job, as PhotosGuy mentioned. I also recommend 1/2 or day rates (400-700 for 1/2 day depending on where you're located). Get this book for excellent info on lighting
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240802756/sr=8-1/qid=1141230906/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6415090-0370442?%5Fencoding=UTF8

You might also consider a light tent.

Good luck:) :)

[pyterps]

Thanks all for the replies. She has between 200 and 250 items and here is a link: http://www.koalacreationsusa.com/koalanymboida2005Catalogue.pdf

I won't be able to do this in a 1/2 or 1 day I don't think so I was going to figure I could do 4 items an hour including post processing and at $50 and hour would be 12.50 per item. She may be tight on funds so was thinking of a contract where I could do 20-30 at a time but set a time limit on how long she can drag it out.

What do you all think about the plan? Again thanks for the replys.

Dave

[PhotosGuy]

What do you all think about the plan? Might work. More importantly, what does she think about it?
Are those the shots she doesn't like?

[pyterps]

The PDF file is the catalog she currently has to work with and she does not like any of the images as they are two soft and her clients really can't tell what they are buying. She would want each of these pieces photographed again and placed in another PDF document to be loaded onto her site.

To tell you the truth I think she was expecting to get all this work done for pennys on the dollar. When I told her what she was looking at something hit the floor and I think it was her. I plan on talking to her tomorrow and see if we can't work something out so she gets a good product and I get paid. It's possible the PDF could be sold to others who sell the product around the world. This would cutt her cost and increase my by a lot.

Dave

[PhotosGuy]

Does she have the original files? Maybe resharpen & make them bigger?

[pyterps]

No the PDF was sent to her from Australia and this is all she has.

[chtgrubbs]

Why would you charge the same as someone who did a (I assume) poor job?
He didn't say that the photos were poor, only that she didn't really like them. They could be really high quality photos in a style she doesn't like.

[chtgrubbs]

To tell you the truth I think she was expecting to get all this work done for pennys on the dollar. When I told her what she was looking at something hit the floor and I think it was her. I plan on talking to her tomorrow and see if we can't work something out so she gets a good product and I get paid.
Dave
Welcome to the wonderful world of working with amateur clients!:)

[pyterps]

I talked to her again and I think she is going to pay the full price and we will do it 20 pieces at a time. Will let you know later if it works out.