Bidding on Graduation Photos

[caymiss]

I may have an opportunity to bid on the Graduation Photos at a local private college. These will be the ones shot at the President of the college hand the diploma to the graduate as they cross the stage.

I expect that the plan that will work best is to take all shots and post them as an event for the graduate and family to order what they want. The part in question is whether to charge a base hourly rate for providing the service and whether a college would expect a percentage of the sales?

Has anyone ever done this type of shoot? Are there any basic bid forms floating around that would be appropriate for this type of bid?

All guidance on this is appreciated,

Becky

[Gary_Evans]

I do this in the UK and I dont get an hourly rate, just what I sell the photos for.

The colleges I work for dont expect a cut for themselves, as they see it as providing a service to the students. However I am aware that some colleges ask for upto 45%!!! :eek::eek::evil:

Approx 50% buy, if this helps.

[caymiss]

Thank you, I wondered if just shooting for the potential sales was a realistic option, so long as the school did not want a kickback. Would seem to me if they want a kickback, they should also guarantee the photographer a set income.

[SuzyView]

Most public schools do fundraisers with their pictures. About half goes to the school or PTA, whichever is doing the administrative stuff. If you are serious about doing pictures, be advised, it's very time consuming and there are always going to be retakes and dissatisfied customers. I take senior pictures, but the companies that do the yearbook insist on their own company to take shots for school. Make sure you check all the little details before you offer a service.

[Mike R]

I got the deal to shoot a HS sports program and sell the shots. I will be giving a percentage back to the Booster club.They will provide a link on their site to mine, They will also promote the site to parents. The season has not even started yet and it has led to more work. They gave my name to another HS , which wants me to take shots of their varsity football team and have agreed to purchase a minimum number of 11x14 prints (without any "kickback"), they also gave my name to a local newspaper which I am now negotiating with. What I'm saying is that the percentage I am giving back to them has already paid off by getting additional work ( sure beats advertising expenses)and the sports program can really use the money that I give back.