Don't want to scare him away

[NaKiD EyE]

I have a customer who wants me to take images of some of his carpentry work (approx 30 images edited) for his website/brochures. There is future work so I figure I can work with him on the price if he can guarantee me the work. I was thinking $50/hour with editing included. Am I selling myself short?

example of my interior work.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3871805013_024e9d1763_o.jpg

[amfoto1]

Yes, you are selling yourself short. $50 an hour is dirt cheap. Couldn't afford to go shoot for that.

Should be around $100-$150 an hour minimum, plus image licensing fees.

But, it sounds like you have basis for an "introductory discount", perhaps. So, you might give him a break if you really think there will be future business from him (I've heard that all too often and seldom seen it materialize).

[Karl Johnston]

I had something like this very recently, in fact nearly the exact same terms. Print run was 100 brochures, real estate and commercial photographs advertising a hospitality bed and breakfast. I would say yes you are selling yourself short. Without going into much detail the bill came around $500-650 (which is the creative fee, the time and the expenses; not going into the printing costs yet) with a $200 licensing fee to renew the use of the images on a yearly basis (licensing fee).
To a lot of people that would be considered budget, too.

[NaKiD EyE]

thanks both of you for your responses. Question though. How does regulate a print run?

[Karl Johnston]

In theory you can't, though, initially when taking down information it helps to ask so you can decide on what to charge for the licensing fee. There's a variety of techniques for negotiating involved but to the best of my knowledge (nowhere near Alan's experience) it's just a trust thing

[sfaust]

I agree that $50 an hour is way too low, and you'll be loosing money in the long run working at that rate. In the Boston area, its typically three or four times that based on the day rates ($1,600 to $2,200) I've seen in bidding, plus expenses. In the suburbs, it seems to hover around the $1,200 a day mark ($150 an hour).

As for future work, there is always that mention of future work in an effort to discount the rates. Many times its just a ruse, and others it may be genuine.

So what I do is ask them how much future work they believe is available. I then work up the estimate/quote based on a sliding scale. In the beginning they are paying full rate, and by the end they are paying much less. Overall, it averages out to a discounted rate applied over all the jobs.

What this does is simple. If the 'future work' doesn't materialize, the photographer gets his regular rates. The client on the other hand, has an incentive to bring the future work as promised to the photographer to get their discount. Basically, the client is rewarded with discounts for the future work, but if it doesn't materialize the photographer is not the one holding the empty bag ;) If the future work is really there, its a win-win for both parties and a fair arrangement IMO.

[Karl Johnston]

So what I do is ask them how much future work they believe is available. I then work up the estimate/quote based on a sliding scale. In the beginning they are paying full rate, and by the end they are paying much less. Overall, it averages out to a discounted rate applied over all the jobs.

What this does is simple. If the 'future work' doesn't materialize, the photographer gets his regular rates. The client on the other hand, has an incentive to bring the future work as promised to the photographer to get their discount. Basically, the client is rewarded with discounts for the future work, but if it doesn't materialize the photographer is not the one holding the empty bag If the future work is really there, its a win-win for both parties and a fair arrangement IMO.
Great advice!

[NaKiD EyE]

well they countered with $25 hour so I didn't take the job.

[sfaust]

They were obviously never 'your customer' ;) Let them bottom feed on craigslist.

[jcpoulin]

I know I'm joining late.....Just remember....your opening price is the price they will expect! If you work for peanuts now, thinking you can charge more per hour later......that won't happen. Charge a reasonable rate that you will work for both now and in the near future if you think there is more business to be had. Otherwise, it sounds like a bait and switch mentality.

[sfaust]

And if you do decided to give a discounted price, make sure you give them an invoice with your normal rate, and note the one time discount clearly. At least then your normal pricing is known right up front.

[NickJushchyshyn]

One strategy for pricing for "we'll have more work for you later" is to use a staircase approach.
The first shoot of the year is "full rate", let's say $200, but subsequent shoots within a prescribed time frame are priced lower to "reward" the client for their repeat business with a lower rate. Maybe $150 for the next two shoots, and $125 for additional shoots within a specific time frame.

The time frame is key, since you don't want to have to give them the preferred rate if they go a couple of years without a shoot.