Product photography

[tbfoto]

Ok guys (and gals) I need some input. A friend of mine works for a new company in town and their company makes these machines that they would like to have photographed so that they can have photos to show thier customers. They want to use these photos on their web site as well as brochures and training manuals. They want full unrestricted use of the images. This is the first time they have done this (and if all goes well) they would like to use me in the future as they continue to build equipment for their customers. I have known this friend for my whole life and see him all the time and feel that I can trust him when he tells me that. I guess my question is how much to charge for a project like this. I would probably spend about 2-3 hours setting up lights and shooting this one item. I want to do this but I would like to be paid fairly for it. I have done my fair share of freebies for people and want to be taken seriously for this. Now, knowing that this is a small company and their first time I need to put in a bid that is fair for them as well. If they had a large budget they would have just called in a company that specializes in this type of work so I know that they expect to pay less than that.

I realize that they want photos so that they can make money from them. I want to show them that I take my work seriously but I need to bid this correctly.

Thanks,
Tom

[tbfoto]

From what I've been able to find online, the commercial rate for this kind of work is about $800-$1000 a day plus usage fees from an established company. I'm thinking about $250-$300 for this job with unlimited use of the images. I guess I feel that if I owned a studio with a storefront and they contacted me then the rate would be higher but in this case I feel that may be my limit. Would you agree?


Tom

[tbfoto]

I started shooting weddings a couple years ago, and now realizing just how much work that really is...I have no problem telling people up front it's $1000.00 just to get me there.

I had thought about quoting them a higher rate as my "normal" rate and giving them a discount on the first inital session. I guess this is just uncharted territory for me.

Tom

[pdrow]

I did this for a friend a few weeks back. She and I grew up together, still go to church together. She has a monogramming business. I have used her business for years for organizations I work with. I brin her in some business. Because of that, she discounts my personal stuff, often doing the labor for free. When I shoot her new line, we bartered for monogramming my logo on some shirts and several other things. We both came out great on the deal. IS bartering an option for you? Is their product something you use?

Just another thought on the matter.
pam

[tbfoto]

No bartering wont be possible here. The machine is actually a very large electrical switch gear. About 12 ft long x 8 ft high and 6 ft deep. It's used for industrial power installations. Its suppose to be a one of a kind being manufactured for a special purpose.

I think Bloo dog may be right here (again) so I 'm thinking of telling them that my 1/2 day rate is $400.00 but am willing to do this job for them at a reduced rate of $300.00 with them having full rights to the images. Also letting them know that having full rights is against the norm and therfore a "special" perk as well. I will also have buisness cards (on magnets) ready to give them with the finished product so that my name will be available for that next special project.

Tom

[chtgrubbs]

Since you have a track record as a an imaging pro I would charge what the going dayrate is for your area. If you want to give them a small ONE TIME discount of 10-20% that would not be excessive, but be sure to invoice them for the full amount and and deduct the discount on a separate line stating that it is one time only.

[tbfoto]

Thanks chtgrubbs, This is somthing that I have also been thinking about today while at my day job. With weddings I have always made sure that I've been paid in full BEFORE the wedding day. With this should I ask for a down payment (just like my weddings) then invoice them for the rest after the shoot? Or just submit them one bill for the whole job and stipulate that payment be made in full upon delivering the product. I wont really be putting out any cash such as for proofs or prints because all they want is the images on a disk so that they can use then as they need to. My total cost will be my time (which is worth something) and a .25 disk and wear and tear on my equipment. This buisness is within a 1/2 mile of my home as well so not much travel time or expence there either. So much to think about......lol


Tom

[tbfoto]

I just wanted to update on how my presentation went. I took my quote to the company, where I was met by my friend and was introduced to his boss (the owner of the company). I quoted them a 1/2 day rate of $300.00 with a discount of $100.00 to help gain their buisness. We talked for a while then the owner started asking me about how to go about getting a good copy of an old photo of his father. I talked to him about scanning the photo and using the digital file to help "fix" the photo then reprinting the final result. He asked me how much it costs to do that kind of work and I told him that if we agree on this contract at hand then I would be willing to do this one for him as part of the deal. He smiled and said "We have a deal". I think he just needed to know that I was willing to work with them to meet their needs. Yes I know.....I could have charged him for it but I really felt like it was the right thing for me to do. The owner then started talking to my friend about getting ALL of their equipment photographed like this. I now have one foot in the door and after this...all future work will be at my now established daily rate. Thanks for those who helped me work this out.

My after thoughts are....I may have been able to charge more....but I feel good about this, and I now have a company (with even more connections) that feels like they have a photographer whom they can work with.

Tom