What would you charge?

[yzaddict106]

Hey guys,
I have never encountered this type of thing, so the first place i thought to turn to was here. Please give me some advice.

I just recieved this email:

"Hi DJ

My Name is Robert and I am the owner of *******.com We are the largest Cobra youth sponsor in the nation.

We specialize in YOUTH riders 14 and under and of course Pitbike racing.

I would be interested in purchasing some of your photos for t-shirt designs

We own a printing facility that creates our own line of apparel - from screen printing, embroidery, vinly graphics and even digital printing

please contact my e-mail at work

[*******@rochester.rr.com or give me a call monday or tuesday **********

would love to talk to you about your photos

THEY LOOK GREAT

we will be at the northeast regional next week at pleasure valley and down for the nation the end of july as well.

look forward to talking with you and start a long term working relationship

rob
owner/racer/mx dad"




I am planning on emailing him and most likely calling him on Monday, but i wanted your thoughts as to prices. I'm not looking to make a living off these shirts or anything, but I would liek what you guys would feel is an appropriate price tag. I've been involved in motocross for a while now and have never heard of the company, so i dont think charging an arm and a leg would even be in the equation, but I dont know what the profit margin is for the company on t shirts, nor the quantity they sell. Anyone have a rough estimate that i could work with?

Thanks,

DJ

[amfoto1]

You first need to know quantity, distribution and how much they plan to charge for the items... Then go buy a copy of "Pricing Photography" by Michael Heron. This book (and some others like it) will give you a starting point or range of prices to consider. It's just a guideline, not set in stone. But, it's a point to begin negotiations with your customer.

With a product like that, you might just charge a flat licensing fee for limited usage of each image. The limitations (or lack of) will decide how much you charge. You might also discount a bit if they wish to use multiple images.

Another scenario is a lower flat fee up front, and royalties on sales. This can be a more profitable way to go, but you'd be sharing more of the risk with the customer. I.e., you both get paid when the items sells (although you might receive something up front, too).

Yes, by all means talk on the phone with the potential customer. If at all possible, meet with them in person, too.

[yzaddict106]

thanks,


Anyone else?

[gromeo]

There is a program that can do this, I have not tried it, but a few colleagues swear by it

http://www.fotoquote.com/fq-overview.html

[jonstewart]

I'm not looking to make a living off these shirts or anything, but I would liek what you guys would feel is an appropriate price tag.
DJ

1. You mightn't want to make a living off these, but there are other pros out there who do.

2. At some time later you *may* want to make a living, or part living, off these photos.

If the photo is good enough, then you should be paid properly, on the same basis as someone who does do it as a living. It doesn't matter whether you do it full time, part time, or once in a blue moon. In getting paid properly, you also will never get papered into the corner of always being considered 'cheap or easy'.

The other thing that always troubles me is when clients start talking about 'developing long term relationships'. That usually predates tiny remuneration, while requiring all usage. Everybody but the client loses out.

Use whatever method (eg fotoquote) to figure out the price and (within reason) stick to it. Unless, of course, the payback for this is the inflation of your ego, when you get to walk around in a t-shirt with your own photo on it ! :-) (Joking, of course)

All the Best
Jon

[tim]

A comission would be easiest.