Advice on bidding for a job

[alonzo76ok]

Hello, I'm somewhat new to the business side of photography and looking for some advice on how to handle bidding for a photo job with a company.

I currently work for a company which manages an arena where sporting events, concerts, and conventions take place. I would like to become their photographer and cover events and also take company photos of the CEO, and other staff members for publications, internal business newsletters, and for use as art thoughout the building.

I am currently an hourly employee and love my job and talk daily with some of the upper management. My position reports direcly to one of the members of upper management.

How would I bid on a phot job like this? Would I ask to be kept on an hourly rate and what should this rate be based on? Or keep my hourly rate as is and ask for additional payment? I will most likley keep doing my current job in addition to doing the photography. Any help and suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Photodawg1]

Please give some more info...Do they already have photogs? Are they recruiting for a photog? How long have you been with them? How much time do you think would be involved in shooting for them total?

[DaveG]

Hello, I'm somewhat new to the business side of photography and looking for some advice on how to handle bidding for a photo job with a company.

I currently work for a company which manages an arena where sporting events, concerts, and conventions take place. I would like to become their photographer and cover events and also take company photos of the CEO, and other staff members for publications, internal business newsletters, and for use as art thoughout the building.

I am currently an hourly employee and love my job and talk daily with some of the upper management. My position reports direcly to one of the members of upper management.

How would I bid on a phot job like this? Would I ask to be kept on an hourly rate and what should this rate be based on? Or keep my hourly rate as is and ask for additional payment? I will most likley keep doing my current job in addition to doing the photography. Any help and suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


This is a very touchy situation. There's no way that I'd shoot that kind of stuff as an hourly paid employee. The next thing you know is that the execs would be draging their kids in for H&S shots, all the while you're being paid $15 an hour. In my opinion you must separate your hourly paid job from the photography.

I'd give them a written submission describing your photography experience and with a complete price quote. I think that I'd start off with something like: "Although this is not part of my job here at Acme Industries, I do have experience in the following areas of photography. I understand that Acme currently outsources our photography needs and I would like to bid on that work. My rates are as follows: ..."

Although I wouldn't put it in the submission I'd be prepared to say something like I didn't expect to receive my hourly pay on a day where I was contract shooting.

If you do this you make it clear that you won't do the work for nothing. Acme Industries should like it because they have a new asset - you - who can do this work without nearly so much lead time.

As for pricing I'd try to find out what the going rate is for this kind of stuff in your area and then I'd use that as my bid price. Don't go cheap or they'll treat you that way.

Now all of the above is based on you being able to do the job, and more to the point that you've DONE the job before. Corporate H&S shots means studio strobes, a flash meter and a portable background. You can't do this stuff with a 430 flash in the hotshoe of your XT. If you try the results will make ol' Acme mad and may threaten your regular job. If you are good and have the gear then persue this. If you just see an opportunity then weigh the downside if your results don't measure up to the competition's.

[alonzo76ok]

PhotoDawg1, I have worked with the company 3 years now. They know I do photography, but since before I started there they outsource and use a photographer to shoot major events and games at the arena. I don't think anyone has really done HS for them, at least in a long while.

Thanks DaveG for a response and suggestions. I'll start researching other photographers prices on this type of photography and work on my written submission. What is the best way to approach a photographer and ask about their prices? I believe I'm ready equipment wise...I own a Canon 20D Camera, 24-70 L and 70-200 L lenses as well as a wide angle kit lens that came with the 20D, a Canon 550EX Flash, a couple of backgrounds (grey and white), a photoflex medium softbox kit, 2 litedisc, and Photoshop CS2 for post processing.

[Photodawg1]

PhotoDawg1, I have worked with the company 3 years now. They know I do photography, but since before I started there they outsource and use a photographer to shoot major events and games at the arena. I don't think anyone has really done HS for them, at least in a long while.

Thanks DaveG for a response and suggestions. I'll start researching other photographers prices on this type of photography and work on my written submission. What is the best way to approach a photographer and ask about their prices? I believe I'm ready equipment wise...I own a Canon 20D Camera, 24-70 L and 70-200 L lenses as well as a wide angle kit lens that came with the 20D, a Canon 550EX Flash, a couple of backgrounds (grey and white), a photoflex medium softbox kit, 2 litedisc, and Photoshop CS2 for post processing.

I am going to leave you in the capable hands of Dave! His advice is golden! I am learning too!

[PhotoJourno]

Here is what would come to my mind, if I were in your shoes (not possible, but I am giving it a meager try, hopefully it helps).

- This other photographer, can I outshoot him? Can I provide at least the same pro level?
- Right off the bat: My photo business and my day job are two different things. I can request to bid for the job, but mentioning that there is 'another partner' involved, so as to keep both my job and my photo biz separate (As mentioned above, it would suck if I did end up doing the pics, but as part of my job description, at request of management, and at their pleasure).

Alonzo, now here are my suggestions:

- ACCESS TO INTEL: Do you know how much other photographers are bidding for the job?.. You might be able to be the last one to bid, and undercut everyone by 10-15%.

- DAY JOB & PHOTOGRAPHY: YOU WANT TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR YOUR CLIENTS, NOT FOR YOUR BOSS. I oughta get a tattoo of this one. It happened to me with Graphic Design, we lost ours, and I said I could do it, since then I have been doing my regular job and any other Brochure, Form design besides for my regular job. No appreciation, no extra pay. (To the contrary, I get the looks if I am running late, or if the job is not exactly what they dreamed in a vision).

- PRESENTATION: Get a portfolio, specially if you have access to the places and events they want photos of, prepare a special six pager with photos of what they would want. Quality is often a Deal closer, along with the right price, of course.

In conclusion, I would nose in a little bit, get as much info as possible, then go and present the job as a separate entity. Simply submit your bid to the appropriate manager via interoffice mail, or whatever, but be clear from moment zero, that you are doing this professionally on the side, and not as an 'employee favor to the company'. That would be the death of your job. "Hey Alonzo, come take a photo of melinda cramming a doughnut in her mouth !!...." not good.

As for price bidding, you have got to be able to tell what the other dude is requesting, and undercut by 15-20% if possible. If not, send in an honest estimate, covering all costs, time and equipment, and never selling yourself short.

I hope all these sat morning ramblings help a little. I have been in similar situations, and although it is often worth going for it, you have got to go in with a solid plan. Then if it does not go as planned, you can pull out and keep your job as usual.

Best of luck !!

[PhotosGuy]

Have you talked with Dwight?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=178946