Possibly my first photo gig

[xspringer]

A couple weeks ago I went up to the nearest Ski Lodge with my younger boarder (also a avid photog and a member here). While I was there we tried out luck taking pics of some snow boarders jumping some ramps and attracted some attention, one of the snow boarders told me of his company and asked if I could possible e-mail him some of the better pics. I just received his reply from them and how please he was about them. He asked if I've want to come shoot them for a competition thats coming up. I can only assume that he expect a fee this time but not sure as it has yet to come up. This location unlike the other is a few hours away (3 I believe) yet still manageable distance.

I'm just starting out as a avid enthusiast and have been shooting with my first DSLR now for only 4 months or so. I've been asked to take photos once before as some ski divers, just being noticed like this time and folks asking if I might be able to e-mail them copies. Haven't really done any reading on the business side of things. Anyone have any pointers or viewpoints one should have? As far as fee's go I have no idea how they work or what one should ask, gas and lodging would cost the most and possibly more than I'd expect to receive for my time alone.

Thanks
Xavier

[BradM]

A couple weeks ago I went up to the nearest Ski Lodge with my younger boarder (also a avid photog and a member here). While I was there we tried out luck taking pics of some snow boarders jumping some ramps and attracted some attention, one of the snow boarders told me of his company and asked if I could possible e-mail him some of the better pics. I just received his reply from them and how please he was about them. He asked if I've want to come shoot them for a competition thats coming up. I can only assume that he expect a fee this time but not sure as it has yet to come up. This location unlike the other is a few hours away (3 I believe) yet still manageable distance.

I'm just starting out as a avid enthusiast and have been shooting with my first DSLR now for only 4 months or so. I've been asked to take photos once before as some ski divers, just being noticed like this time and folks asking if I might be able to e-mail them copies. Haven't really done any reading on the business side of things. Anyone have any pointers or viewpoints one should have? As far as fee's go I have no idea how they work or what one should ask, gas and lodging would cost the most and possibly more than I'd expect to receive for my time alone.

Thanks
Xavier

You mentioned you haven't really done any reading on this subject but there is numerous threads on this, starting with the stickies on the top of the forum. I would recommend you start there.

And the last sentence you wrote it what really made me respond to this. If you don't think that your time to shoot is worth more than a tank of gas, a couple meals and a room for the night then should you really be doing this?

Expenses are important to have covered but the most serious consideration should be your time, where are you going to get more of it? You spend two days traveling to shoot for a few hours and charge less than than expenses for your time is always going to be a losing proposition. Even as a non-pro if the client believes your work is of the quality they need then they should also be willing to pay for it. But too many beginners "try" to get into selling their images by lowballing the fees and lose out out in the end. A very poor business model.

Without knowing the purposed use of the images it is difficult to put a price on the shoot but two days for me would range from $1,000 - 1,400 plus expenses and I am certainly not on the high end of the range.

[xspringer]

Thanks for the pointers, I guess if I'm wanting to get into this as a business view point have to change my vier point.
thanks
Xavier