Ask to be a photographer for a book

[bbygfy]

A friend of mine asked me if I would be the photographer for a book he is working on. This would the first "job" for me. What would be a fair price for this work? Also, how do I handle the ownership of the pictures?

[neilwood32]

Depends on the book.

Is it a limited amount of photos? How much time will you need to dedicate to it? Do you want to earn royalties on each copy sold or a lump sum up front?

These are all things you will need to consider.

[egordon99]

Your description of the "job" is way too vague for us to even remotely toss out any ideas.

But since you asked, $500..... :lol:

[sspellman]

bbygfy-

There are many factors that contribute to the value of photography services. The amount of time to complete the project, the use of the images, and expenses for the project are the most significant. Without more detail on the job, it is impossible to provide any useful guidance.

-Scott

[neumanns]

If he were my friend and the book was documenting a fishing expedition in some exotic local I would do it for airfare!

If the book is about ingrown toenails on senior citizens....Sorry I'm busy that weekend.

[bbygfy]

It will be exercise book. There won't be any expenses other than my time for taking the pictures and processing them. I am guess that it will probably take 15-30 hours including processing time.

[advaitin]

Of the top of my head a minimum of $1500.00. But I bet your time estimate is way off. Things like that--especially for a friend--tend to grow. Just show him typical ASMP rates and he'll be happy to negotiate.

[neumanns]

I guess first and formost you need to determine if "Friend" is any part of the negotiation.

If so what role is it gonna play... Take a look around here for "Friends and Family" thread's, they come up often and present there own special challanges.

If friend is not part of it then you need to quote appropriatly and preform as expected.

I don't think this is so mucha a what to charge thread you need to figure that out....

This is ALL about your relationship...His expectations, and your feeling's.

Could be fun or could be the demise of the relationship.

[sfaust]

Start with something realistic, then negotiate from there. Here is what a low end project might go for, which sounds like where you two are at experience wise (first book for both of you).

$4,500 = 30hrs @ 150hr

$9,600-$19,200 = 40 images, 1/2 page each, 10K print run @ $240 to $480 each (guessing on print run, adjust as needed)

$3,000 = Expenses (there are always expenses :) )

Total = $18,100 to $27,700

You can easily justify the $150 per hour since it is really so low on the commercial end its hard to argue against. Have them go to a professional for a quote if they have a hard time with the rate. I'll bet they will get $1,500 per day plus.

For usage, just point them to Getty and have them look up the costs, and thats for stock not custom assignment photography which costs more. Getty is selling millions of images at those rates, which helps prove the market value. You can also use Fotoquote, which is a industry reference of historical usage pricing for assignment work. Realworld data if you will.

Then put things in perspective. If they make the book, print 10K copies, sell it at $24.95, they will gross nearly $250,000. The images in the book can help make or break it. At 10% of the gross, its a bargain! If you two are partners on the project, a larger cut than 10% is reasonable. So the value even at the high end of the example given is very low for the photographer, especially if the photography is huge part fo the project ie, 50 pages, 40 of them illustrated with images at 1/2 page or more.

So, if they hired a pro to shoot this book, it would cost them $18K-$27K. Point that out to them, and then negotiate from there. You won't get those figures based on your experience, but there isn't any reason why you shouldn't 25%, or 40%, or even half the going rate.

The point is, "Don't sell yourself short". Understand the true value in play, and negotiate with that in mind.