HELP: Need an idea of what I should be charging

[Cali Agent]

So heres my situation Im going to be doing photos for a company a buddy of mine works for. The company manufactures and installs gaskets for restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, fast food chains, and other businesses.
They just opened an office in San Francisco and started to work with
utility companies as an authorized third party vendor for their Commercial Energy Efficiency programs, upgrading refrigeration units.

So heres my dilema. Im new to doing this for such a refined company. I need an idea of how much I need to charge I've been reading threads about overhead cost and retainer fees. All awesome ideas. However Im going to need to submit references with how much other photographers would charger so that he can convince the owners that my rates will be competitively priced.

I'd appreciate any feed back from you guys. Also if you could help me by providing websites where I can compare pricing. I know its alot to ask but Im going to starting the job as soon as I can these sources.

Things to take into consideration.
- Im going to be driving about an hour to thier office atleast 2-3 times
a week
- Im going to be taking photos on job location
- These photos are for a line card they hand out to potential
customers/ companies (The images will be resized fairly small to fit)
- The line card will consist of products they sell other than gaskets

Im posting this here because I value the feedback and am fairly new to working such a reputable company. Thank you in advance. -Lionel

[EOSBoy]

Well, if you're sub contracted, you can write off your mileage. Just make sure you write down everything. That, or the company can reimburse you.

I'd figure out the cost of living and the cost of running a business. I'd also factor in taxes and add a little more in for profit. I shoot for about $145hr for commercial work. We're probably going to bump it up close to $250 though.

[Cali Agent]

Thanks for the info. Do you have an website and e-mail where I can contact you as a reference for pricing. I'd really appreciate the help.
Im going to be @ work all day today so shoot me an e-mail if possible fiel.lionel@gmail.com

[Karl Johnston]

That's weird, never heard of any company or organization ever asking that. Usually they know, or can use google. :lol:

TO get a jumbly of quotes is just kind of strange, it almost sounds like they're looking for someone cheaper. What's Florida's market like compared to the arctic? Well for one they'd have to pay travel costs and accommodation for outsourcing a photographer...I wonder why such a weird request.

Well what you want and need is to determine your own rate and leave it at that, competing based on price versus what you can do versus what anyone else can do is just really varied and differs photographer to photographer. $150 rate/hour may include XYZ options for me, whereas someone else $150/hour may just be base and no options. Some include licensing in with their quote, some don't at all and that is negotiated afterwards.

They should do their own research
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=853041 This may help you in general.

Though, google photographers in your area and see what they would charge, send them their websites. I'd try to avoid doing that, though, because chances are they're shopping for a better deal ... or a cheaper quote. It's as if they're using you to shop for data they should already be collecting themselves. Odd. If you really need a quote...google related photographers in your area.

It's kind of like asking a doctor what he makes in San Fransisco and comparing that with what another one makes in New York...or even in the same city. Jumbly of rates does little good to determining what is "fair" because their specializations are so different and varied and some doctors may not do physician services; some may specialize in eyes or plastic surgery or public health...see what i mean.

[Cali Agent]

That's weird, never heard of any company or organization ever asking that. Usually they know, or can use google.

TO get a jumbly of quotes is just kind of strange, it almost sounds like they're looking for someone cheaper. What's Florida's market like compared to the arctic? Well for one they'd have to pay travel costs and accommodation for outsourcing a photographer...I wonder why such a weird request.

Yea its my buddy who just started with the company. Someone gave him the idea to update their line cards. Im starting to get the idea that he should be doing the research so far no one I've e-mailed has responded. And to be honest with you I don't blame them. For me to ask another photographer what they charge so I can get work is a bit shady. I think Im going to tell my friend that he needs to do it because it will be through the company. I just wont want to lose this opportunity. Anyway thanks for the feedback.

[Mick_I]

$10000,00000

[Cali Agent]

$10000,00000
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/lionel86/xb9yt0.gif

[tim]

$1000 a day would be a cheap quote I think.

[tim]

http://www.cradocfotosoftware.com/fotoQuote-Pro/index.html