What should I charge?

Hi there,

I've been a freelance snapper for 6 or 7 years now and even though I've only just joined this forum, it has proved more than useful. I have bought a lens from another member and learned some new Pshop techniques all within the first week

I have a new commercial music client, big. I have been commissioned to do a cover shoot for their new DVD title which sells in excess of 180K copies, UK based only. The title will be available globally as well, eventually.

I only have experience in quoting for smaller scale clients and was wondering if anyone could throw a ball park figure my way as way of an estimate?

I know there are a million factors involved in quoting a job, but what i'm looking for is a price for my services only. I supply all equipment and an assistant. It's a one day shoot, on location in Europe, any extras are not included at this point and expenses will be covered.

I was thinking along the lines of 2-2.5K (GBP). Sound about right?

I was about to say around £1000 plus expenses, but when you add flights/accomodation/m​eals etc for two people, I would say you're on the money at £2000

Usually those prices would be for the shoot only...

Licensing of the images would be separate, perhaps even for UK use, and again later for worldwide use unless they want to bundle it all together right now. I imagine they will want some exclusivity and perhaps some related, marketing and advertising usage of the same images, too. Ala carte pricing, or bundling can be decided during your negotiations.

If they think they need ownership of the images and that all copyright or usage will be covered by the cost of the shoot, it's time to start negotiating and explain how it will cost 10X - 20X more that way (or whatever multiple you choose). Plus they'll end up paying for even the outtakes, not just the particular shots that are of use to them.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5797764
Usually those prices would be for the shoot only...

Licensing of the images would be separate, perhaps even for UK use, and again later for worldwide use unless they want to bundle it all together right now. I imagine they will want some exclusivity and perhaps some related, marketing and advertising usage of the same images, too. Ala carte pricing, or bundling can be decided during your negotiations.

If they think they need ownership of the images and that all copyright or usage will be covered by the cost of the shoot, it's time to start negotiating and explain how it will cost 10X - 20X more that way (or whatever multiple you choose). Plus they'll end up paying for even the outtakes, not just the particular shots that are of use to them.

Thank you both for the replies, good advice. I will be doing a deal that involves handing over full copyright of the eventual images they use for a UK and global distribution (I do insist on being able to use the images for my personal portfolio or self publication though). I like open and closed deals like this and often try to tie the money up before hand. I think i'll go in at 2K + expenses and see what happens...thanks again, appreciated.

Full copyright would normally equate to about 10X or 20X the price for the shoot/images. Otherwise you are getting taken to the cleaners. Many photographers simply wouldn't shoot at all under those terms.

It's not uncommon for customers to ask for full copyright as the opening salvo in the negotiations. Perhaps they do this just because they don't know any better (inexperienced photo buyers). Other times it's quite deliberate (experienced photo buyers) because that's the one extreme that's absolutely the least favorable to the photographer and they fully anticipate negotiating back toward a middle ground everyone can live with.

There are many ways to sell limited rights that meet all their needs for exclusivity, but still not give up your own copyright entirely, in case the images have some future value to you and/or your heirs.

A friend of mine who shot "on staff" for the Associated Press for 10 years just chokes when he buys CDs of Royalty Free images and finds his own images on them! It happens to him a lot.

Let's say the band makes it really big some day, and here you have a bunch of images you took, but cannot use them at all because you gave up the rights. How will that make you feel then? Protect your interests now... there's no getting them back later!

amfoto1 wrote in post #5804383
Full copyright would normally equate to about 10X or 20X the price for the shoot/images. Otherwise you are getting taken to the cleaners. Many photographers simply wouldn't shoot at all under those terms.

It's not uncommon for customers to ask for full copyright as the opening salvo in the negotiations. Perhaps they do this just because they don't know any better (inexperienced photo buyers). Other times it's quite deliberate (experienced photo buyers) because that's the one extreme that's absolutely the least favorable to the photographer and they fully anticipate negotiating back toward a middle ground everyone can live with.

There are many ways to sell limited rights that meet all their needs for exclusivity, but still not give up your own copyright entirely, in case the images have some future value to you and/or your heirs.

A friend of mine who shot "on staff" for the Associated Press for 10 years just chokes when he buys CDs of Royalty Free images and finds his own images on them! It happens to him a lot.

Let's say the band makes it really big some day, and here you have a bunch of images you took, but cannot use them at all because you gave up the rights. How will that make you feel then? Protect your interests now... there's no getting them back later!

That's a very good point, I do dislike the way the PR brigade make it sound like your asking for a king's ransom when you ask for a high price for full copyright. I have limited patience when it comes to dealing with the 'media types' who's roles are always rather fluffy and non-specific (there nice people, just not my type. I'm a straight forward type of person), hence i like to sort out the money out up front.

Your right though, i will offer them limited copyright on the images for the first 12 months for promotional use, then re-address the issue with them at a later date.

I have never knowingly undersold my self and never will. If you're good enough to take the pictures they want then you good enough to get paid the absolute top dollar. IMO, if you get business by going in cheap you're just devaluing the entire industry, and your skills.