Help with pricing for shooting for a cookbook!!!!!

Hi everyone, I just got a request to shoot the pics for a cookbook a friend is doing. But i have basicially no experience with this and i don't have any ideas of how to charge - commission/flat fee + commission, etc. I'm going to be staying at their house so i don't have to pay for lodging/transportation​. Thanks everyone. (Sorry if this is a duplicate post,i don't think my first post worked.)

Ummm one clarification, you are staying at their house so THEY don't have to pay your lodging.
Flat rate, rights retained, 1 or 2 year no use.

What you mean by "I have basically no experience"?
It's hard to do Food photography. I did a shoot for a Soup Shop and it was not easy.
Regarding what you can charge, I chose for this shot a rate day ($900 for me) plus all expenses linked like travel, parking, props, etc...

I have never done food photography.....I know it's like crazy hard, and I have told my friend that. They think though, I have the skill and are willing to work with me. So i would charge a flat rate for shooting the different pictures, I retain copywrite and and let the people use the photos for this book only? Right? I'm a novice in this area so sorry.

That's right, give them the Right Managed only for this book and that's it. Be careful if they want to use in the promotional materials, make a contract with them about everything you are going to do, when, where, at which price and what is include.

John-

I am a decent food photographer, and it is very hard and detailed work. I would never accept an paid assignment far out of my expertise. I hope that you will have many hours to experiment now with food photography, styling, lighting etc long before you see the client. I also shoot tethered to a laptop to improve involvement and communication with the client. Critical tools for me are window light, mirrors with flex clamps, tripod with ball head, small wood wedges to position plates, and cleaning supplies.

As far as costs, I bill hourly at my regular corporate rates + a licensing fee depending on usage. I would keep copyright and provide an unrestricted license based on time.

Have fun-
Scott

Thanks everyone for your comments, so basically are you are saying that I might not want to take this contract thing?

I didn't say "Don't take this job", no it will be a good opportunity for you to learn something but read a lot about this field, make some tests a home with your own foods and try it. There is a good book about Food photography: Digital-Food-Photography-Lou-Manna. Take a look at this website: www.101cookbooks.com too. Nice tips.

John-

I would not take this job without a significant invesment in learning food photography, getting the right equipment, and reviewing your results with the client. With any professional commitment, I would certainly want to review my capeabilities with the client before signing a contract. For example-if your client only likes pictures taken with studio lights-then you need to prepare for that before you go.

Styling is also a huge part of food photography and often done by professionals-who will make sure that the food shape, colors, and texture blend harmoniously with the dishes, table, and other background? Your good work in other types of photography leads me to believe that you will eventually get good results-but you will need the skills and equipment to get it right this time.

-Scott

thanks so much everyone for your comments and ideas. Do you have any ideas for what equipment is the best? I"m going to have a 30D and probably a Canon 17-85 IS, but what would be best? Thanks for telling me about the book - i'll get it and read it!!

I'd suggest a fast prime to get a narrow DOF.