Automotive Photo shoot services and pricing

Hi everyone!

This forum has been very resourceful to me since joining. I'd like to share my freelance services and pricing for automotive photo shoots and would like to get feedback for you guys. I know pricing can involve overhead cost, investment in equipment, time, and knowledge invested. So what I'll be pricing here is what I believe my services are worth at my skill level and equipment. I am also offering more specific services with automotive photography to private car owners who want great shots and prints of their cars.

Here is my breakdown.

Equipment (all factors of equipment used during entire job)
$75 flat rate

Addition Equipment based on job
Variable cost added

Transportation + mileage
$25 + mileage (mileage based on my vehicle's Standard Mileage rate)

Hourly rate for actual time photographing and post editing
$75-$100 based on client


Prints
8x10
$8

13x19
$25


*Discounts will be considered on clients needs and wants*

I have three categories of services; Location shoot, Rolling shoot, and Car Rig shoot. This is where additional equipment comes into play. I will also be marketing to local car forums and will be requesting vendor spots for my services.

I feel this is a great foundation to start with but I would like feedback to fine polish my pricing! I may be forgetting a few things here and there as well so please point them out or ask too!

Thanks!

Jimmy

Got any examples of your work? I am interested to see others input as I have always wondered what people charge for automotive photography.

Most people will want to hear 1 rate, along with what they get with it. Calculating that rate can be a combination of what you list, but you should only list 2 or 3 packages as being what you offer, then let people add or subtract items if necessary.

Myboostedgst wrote in post #14774478
Got any examples of your work? I am interested to see others input as I have always wondered what people charge for automotive photography.

Most of my examples are from car meets and gatherings. But I'll post a few here. I will be using one of my friends car as a template/example to showcase and add future clients to that.

I will be doing a photo shoot for the SHO to send to Injector Dynamic next month. I'm looking forward to that. The other Subaru's are looking for a photo shoot and prints and are willing to pay.

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_98​8010a1.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_08​da8242.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_29​bb795c.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_83​cf6870.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_86​cb32ba.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_36​01574b.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_d0​f4c1a0.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …/driftguy/th_09​d87229.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

JacobPhoto wrote in post #14774581
Most people will want to hear 1 rate, along with what they get with it. Calculating that rate can be a combination of what you list, but you should only list 2 or 3 packages as being what you offer, then let people add or subtract items if necessary.

Thanks for the input. I felt the same with offering a single rate and packages. I would like to offer a simple package as most of my clients that I am advertising to will be local. The idea of offering a couple packages to choose from and going from there is a great idea.

I also forgot to mention the final product being digital images. I am a bit confused on how that is offered. Are digital images offered as a product? Standard resolution included in a package, extra for high resolution? Rights to the images and recurring fees for rights? Watermark? These are ideas that I have considered but am not sure how to offer them.

Question on automobile shoots

Thanks for the link Frank.

jton wrote in post #14774586
Most of my examples are from car meets and gatherings. But I'll post a few here. I will be using one of my friends car as a template/example to showcase and add future clients to that.

I will be doing a photo shoot for the SHO to send to Injector Dynamic next month. I'm looking forward to that. The other Subaru's are looking for a photo shoot and prints and are willing to pay.

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_98​8010a1.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_08​da8242.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_29​bb795c.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_83​cf6870.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_86​cb32ba.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_36​01574b.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …ds%20Meet/th_d0​f4c1a0.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i18.photobucket​.com …/driftguy/th_09​d87229.jpg HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

Please repost some images from when you do your friends shot as I'd be interrested to see what you intend to deliver as a final output for $100 minimum + $100 per hour shoot and edit + prints.

I understand that the images you have posted are merely snapshots from meets - it will therefore be good to see some final quality output before commenting on pricing.

So you know where I am coming from I shoot automotive 5/6 days a week professionally - not artistic stuff but images to advertiise cars for sale via web and print media.

Will do Nightstalker. Thanks for your input.

I have two scheduled jobs for August and will update this thread then. I may run a pilot shoot with a friend's car in the meantime.

Curious to see if anything ever came of this.

^ me too

Myboostedgst wrote in post #14922350
Curious to see if anything ever came of this.

+1 here in the uk most of the car forums im on some 1 always brings along a camera with them and posts up the photos on the said forum car meets and car shows

PhotosGuy wrote in post #14776756
Question on automobile shoots

Nightstalker wrote in post #14782826
Please repost some images from when you do your friends shot as I'd be interrested to see what you intend to deliver as a final output for $100 minimum + $100 per hour shoot and edit + prints.

I understand that the images you have posted are merely snapshots from meets - it will therefore be good to see some final quality output before commenting on pricing.

So you know where I am coming from I shoot automotive 5/6 days a week professionally - not artistic stuff but images to advertiise cars for sale via web and print media.

Myboostedgst wrote in post #14922350
Curious to see if anything ever came of this.

JohnThomas wrote in post #14922404
^ me too

hoochy wrote in post #14922415
+1 here in the uk most of the car forums im on some 1 always brings along a camera with them and posts up the photos on the said forum car meets and car shows

Bringing this back from the dead.

I have established my rates as follows:

Automotive Photo Shoot - $100

Automotive Rig Shot - $250

All expenses are accounted for local area services. Gas compensation is accounted for out of city or state appointments.

Print prices remain the same. I do offer matting and framing at cost + 20%.

The prices I have decided on above reflect my location and audience. It took me a few months to establish a reasonable price for the customer and one that I am happy with. I provide digital photos for all my shoots at 2048x1365 digital download and sharing. All photos have watermarks. The customer will have the choice of watermark, no watermark or signed prints.


Here's are some example of a full set (photo shoot and rig shot)

**http://flic.kr/s/aHsjH​UwmyR**

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jimmyton/965016​9353/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jimmyton/941411​0462/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jimmyton/919060​2434/

Love #2! Am curious how you took it

Looks like you're doing well. Your updated photos compared to the ones you posted last year have greatly improved. Great job!

My primary focus is automotive photography. What type of rig are you using? I had a DIY rig for a while and then bought one from Rig-Pro. Great stuff.

Keep up the good work.