In response to the many times people have mentioned "How much should I charge?"

[SeanJ]

Hi,

I am actually reposting this as I noticed there seems to be several threads on the topic of fees...

'Hi, I'm newish to the forum and wanted to give you a gift. Maybe you're already aware of it!

Go to http://www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/phcalc.html and check out the excel workbook that is designed to help you calculate what your minimum daily fee should be.

It is in pound sterling but could be easily be changed to US dollars or your required currency. Also, whilst your there have a look around for a lot of great resources for photographers.:smile:'

[ssim]

It's been posted here before. There is no shortage of resources available on the internet to assist in setting prices. I think that people want to hear it first hand or they can't be bothered to hunt it down on their own.

Sometimes the questions are unique enough that the resources will not provide the exact answer as well. The sites are geared toward professional imagery and, imo, do not take into account the effect of the micro stock agencies have had on the industry.

[SeanJ]

In that instance, apologies for the repetition.

[Mike R]

I'm currently reading ASMP Professional Business Practices In Photography. It goes into great detail as to why you can't charge what some one else does without taking a lot into consideration.

[SeanJ]

No, certainly the issues of micro stock aren't taken into consideration by most sites. However, their effect, to me, should be factored into a more long term business model and strategy. ie they effect generic non-specific photography but not a commission of a specific subject such as a product, portrait or perhaps a wedding.

For me the greatest danger is when a photographer works for too little or even nothing at all! Ok, I understand that when starting up you need to build a portfolio and if you want actual commissions in there you are snookered into charging less to get a look in. The problem arises when you can get known for being a cheap photographer.

Years ago, when starting off I use to do stacks of work for an up and coming record label. I used to get £50 ($100) for a shoot and they would use the images for promotional purposes.

A couple of years down the line they had a number one in the UK charts and they dropped me and went onto a much more expensive photographer and I didn't get a look in.

When I contacted them to ask why (they had always been really happy with my work) they said that their budget was far greater now.

My point is that I had managed to inadvertedly label myself as being cheap and consequently devalued my work and how it was perceived.

The thing that I like about the excel fee calculator is that it underlines the importance of taking in numerous factors in what you should charge. Some of those factors may not be right for all, but it did make me think.

An example of the need to take as many factors as possible into consideration is when a client may be charged $300 for a days shooting. This may sound like a fair deal but may not reflect post processing times and all the other work that goes on behind the scenes, which can amount to a considerable time and leave you working for peanuts once it's all added up!

Some years ago a graphic designer I worked for, had to commission Annie Leibowitz to shoot a rock group for press/promotional/sleeve shots.
On finding out her then fee structure I was staggered to find out that you didn't pay for Annie's one day of photography at a staggering $125,000 a day. You also paid that rate for the day she travels there, the day she travels back, the days shooting and a couple of days post production after. This amounted to five days work for one shoot and a staggering fee of $625,000! Ah...how nice would that be!

[Floriantrojer.com]

Annie's one day of photography at a staggering $125,000 a day.

Annie who? That's the usual rate I charge for a day of shooting, without all the extra gems :p

[SeanJ]

Annie who? That's the usual rate I charge for a day of shooting, without all the extra gems :p

Lol...errr...need an assistant?

[adam LC]

Lol...errr...need an assistant?
Can I be the assistants assitant?
I bet I'd still be on more money than I am now!!

[SeanJ]

Can I be the assistants assitant?
I bet I'd still be on more money than I am now!!

Gods honest truth I'd heard about a Texan photographer working in London that hired one extra assistant to hold his long flowing locks back and out of his eyes.

I really hope it's a true story.

[Floriantrojer.com]

....sorry Adamlc, hair not long enough yet ;)