Confused on what to charge......

[carguy4471]

I've never shot anything for pay, for starters. I know there are a million of these threads but I figured I'd post to save for sorting for hours through them.

A co-worker has a part time business as a professional impersonator. He does game shows and comedy at local casinos. He's looking to get some photos done for his new website and asked if I'd give him a hand. I'm happy to do it as it's a free pass to get in and see a couple shows, and get some time in practicing low light with a fast prime. Given my equipment I'll be able to pull it off with a little cropping I suspect. I've popped a few shots at local music venues and they turned out pretty well. So..... being that he's a co-worker and a good friend, I'd rather he not have to pay a full going rate but I'd still like to be compensated for the time spent in post and what not.

I haven't the faintest idea what someone would pay a full time professional for a job such as this. Would anyone be willing to share what you might charge for this job, so that I can at least reference a going rate? Also if you have some input on what you feel an avid amateur should expect to charge.

Thanks all!!!

[griptape]

Add up your costs, and then figure out how much you want to be paid per hour, and figure out how many hours it will take you to get and then process the pictures. Cost+hourly wage= how much you should charge.

[LauraSB]

How many photos does he want? How many outfits? How many poses? That's where you should start. What do you normally charge people and how many photos do they get? Go off of that and then give him a discount. My headshots/promotional package is $150. But that's for as many outfit changes you can fit in 2 hours and then 2 retouched images from each outfit change.

[gonzogolf]

If you are just shooting him on stage, its a different matter than a headshot studio package. But honestly we cant advise you much simply because the friendship/coworker variable is a game changer. Charge what you feel is fair and you feel would be interpreted as fair by him.

[carguy4471]

If you are just shooting him on stage, its a different matter than a headshot studio package. But honestly we cant advise you much simply because the friendship/coworker variable is a game changer. Charge what you feel is fair and you feel would be interpreted as fair by him.

This makes sense, but I didn't want to charge him and have him come back and say he could have had a professional do it for the same price. The casino is a bit of a drive, about an hour, so given that and processing time would just going for a nice round benjamin be a reasonable saving for him??

[gonzogolf]

This makes sense, but I didn't want to charge him and have him come back and say he could have had a professional do it for the same price. The casino is a bit of a drive, about an hour, so given that and processing time would just going for a nice round benjamin be a reasonable saving for him??
Sounds fair to me, but make sure of two things. Make sure you are confident you can deliver the product, dead certain confident. Second, let him know your price before the job. If you hang around here long you will see a lot of "what should I charge posts" by people who have already done the work, invested a lot of time in post, and then dont have a clue what to charge or any idea of what the client/friend expects to pay.

[carguy4471]

Sounds fair to me, but make sure of two things. Make sure you are confident you can deliver the product, dead certain confident. Second, let him know your price before the job. If you hang around here long you will see a lot of "what should I charge posts" by people who have already done the work, invested a lot of time in post, and then dont have a clue what to charge or any idea of what the client/friend expects to pay.

This I've been around long enough to know. I'll make sure we are clear on a price before hand, and given my skill level, I'll also let him know that it's cintigent that I come up with a set of usable images for him. I'll probably just print em on tear sheets and he and his web developer and business partner can sit down and see if they want 'em. If they don't, I'm out nothing and got to have a good time seeing a couple shows and getting in some practice, my feeling wont be hurt in the least. If they like the work, they already know how much it'll cost 'em and I'll be a benjamin ahead in the "L" saving account. --- Speaking of which, I need to go update my sig, got my first 2.8 zoom last evening.

[HappySnapper90]

Just because you might have a dSLR doesn't necessarily mean you are good enough to charge people for your photos. I checked out your website and didn't see any people photos. Many people do things for free when "starting out" so that there isn't expectations attached with paid work and to build up a history of what you've done, again without charging and the expectation of the results.

Also charging a friend enters a sticky situation. How much does he make from his part time impersonator business? Is it a lot or does he mainly do it for the fun and money is secondary? When you need help with something, like fixing a car, he might want to charge you to come over and help if you charge him for photography.

Friends don't charge friends unless you are both doing said things as your primary business. Maybe at most ask for a few beers or a dinner out somewhere.

[carguy4471]

Just because you might have a dSLR doesn't necessarily mean you are good enough to charge people for your photos. I checked out your website and didn't see any people photos. Many people do things for free when "starting out" so that there isn't expectations attached with paid work and to build up a history of what you've done, again without charging and the expectation of the results.

Also charging a friend enters a sticky situation. How much does he make from his part time impersonator business? Is it a lot or does he mainly do it for the fun and money is secondary? When you need help with something, like fixing a car, he might want to charge you to come over and help if you charge him for photography.

Friends don't charge friends unless you are both doing said things as your primary business. Maybe at most ask for a few beers or a dinner out somewhere.

Very valid points. I have done some portrait work since updating the site that has turned out quite well. But, this doesn't make me a professional by any stretch.

He does make a large sum of money as an impersonator, somewhere to the tune of a few grand per weekend for a few hours of work.

I think given the input here, just asking him what he feels is fair may be the best route. He'll know I'm only charging what he feels is appropriate, and I'll still get to recoup some gas money and have a few dollars to show for the time spent processing everything.