Yes. What should I charge?

I'll just cut to the point.
I got this e-mail (below), and I need some help with a quote.

That's basically it

Thanks for your help!

That's one couple every 45 seconds!

mission impossible. charge 10K and run

xn2b8r wrote in post #8788738
That's one couple every 45 seconds!

Exactly what I said\thought...

I figure I would be early, and people wouldn't all arrive EXACTLY at 6pm, so it could go down to one couple ever minute


Back to the point;
I assume I will need to figure out my 'overhead' for the shoot, for renting the lighting equipment (I just have a 430EX. Nothing else), so I went online to price out the rentals, and I discovered... I'm not too sure what lighting equipment I need. (I assume I could get by with 2 580EX II's, ST-E2, umbrellas, and stands... right?)

get profoto AcuteB from Samy's if you can. it's 50 bucks a day.

korrektor wrote in post #8788800
get profoto AcuteB from Samy's if you can. it's 50 bucks a day.

Is that all that I need? (Yes, I'm a noob when it comes to lighting-gear)

EDIT: I assume you mean this:

KIT ACUTE B600R PROFOTO
• Battery, battery charger & 2 sync cord
• Extra Battery
• Acute Head w/ Profoto Disc reflector
= $70

ok $70 will do it. They raised the prices I guess. Set up a reflector on the opposite side from the light. Place it the beauty dish at a angle (raise it up slightly and pace left or right of the cam (practice on a couple first and get it right. That 's essential).
shoot the up.

korrektor wrote in post #8788826
ok $70 will do it. They raised the prices I guess. Set up a reflector on the opposite side from the light. Place it the beauty dish at a angle (raise it up slightly and pace left or right of the cam (practice on a couple first and get it right. That 's essential).
shoot the up.

The beauty dish... Is that the "profoto disc reflector"?

yeah

oh snap - I think it's an umbrella reflector. clarify that first

Seriously?

Don't do it. They're expecting someone who would know how to work with lights. If you're not familiar with them you're going to cause yourself more problems than anything.

But, if you do do it...quote them a package price per couple and make sure couples prepay.

Run away. Fast. It would take a good pro to pull this off.

You could treat it as a production line. Setup right by the entrance so you capture the couples as they come in. Put a backdrop in place. Have the lights all set up. Drop your camera on the tripod, same distance, same lighting, lather, rinse, and repeat. Not terribly difficult.

Are they looking for a print of each person? DVD of all images? That makes a huge difference in your pricing model.

I did something similar for a charity ball. I charged $20 a shot. I setup at the entrance (it was actually a lounge area where they served cocktails) and shot people as they came in. It was pretty hectic at times, but I managed. I didn't get everyone as some people just refused to be photographed, but I got quite a few. Once the ball started, everyone went inside to their tables and I closed up shop and left.

I ended up making about $2500 for about an hours worth of shooting time + an hour of setup and teardown. I then donated half of the earnings to the cause.

ps. Not sure if you are operating as a business now or not. I'd also make sure that you are insured. Last thing you want is someone tripping over a lightstand and injuring themselves. Can never be too safe in this litigious time we live in.