Head swapping quote

Photographed group shots of a family of 8 who wanted about 10 different combinations of subjects. When they saw the online proofs, they asked if I could change out a head from one proof to another. Also could I make the lady look less "chunky". Went ahead and made a proof with the head change while explaining that this was beyond the re-touching fee that I charge for the pictures they select. Also did some quick liquify reshaping of the lady. Since it's part of a larger order I planned to charge them a nominal amount if they chose that photograph, but didn't communicate the specific additional cost, or that I really cannot guarantee an outcome as good as the one I did. ...my mistake.

After seeing the proof, I got an email requesting an additional 9 "head swaps" on four photographs. I consider myself reasonably competent with photoshop, but it's not until I get into making changes like this that I can see whether it's going to take me 30 mins, an hour or if it's going to look natural when I'm done.

How much would you quote for this, and what if I don't think the result works?

First answer should have been no. This is that can of worms everyone talks about.

I know this doesnt help you any, because it does sound like a huge snowball effect, but I'd send them a proof as a joke with all the heads on the wrong people...LOL

Or make one of the people look like their holding the head of another person...Sorry, couldnt keep it to myself

That kind of work is part of my normal flow. The previews I show will normally be composites of swapped heads to create the best group shots. In fact, I shoot with swapping heads in mind, if the group is relatively hard to manage (such as a group with small boys). I'll put the camera on a tripod and take several shots, concentrating on each "problem subject" at a time, then create a composite afterward.

Doing some slight slimming is also a normal thing I do--especially women's arms.

Of course, my prices start out high enough to cover such work.

what you charge is up to you,
but I will suggest you have a flat rate. charging by time is fairly common but it means as you progress in your PS skills you make less.
Typically I charge $75 for a head swap with two similar images. $125 for dissimilar images and requires a sit down to discuss the differences in lighting and such.

It takes me 2 minutes to do a head/face/eye swap, but i've done dozens or hundreds. Save yourself the hassle, just outsource to www.retouchup.com for $2.50 to $5.00 per edit, they do a good job and the first 20 are free.

I'm not associated with them, and I get no benefit recommending them, i'm just a happy customer. They can work magic for $5 that would take me hours to do a horrible job.

tim wrote in post #10496551
It takes me 2 minutes to do a head/face/eye swap, but i've done dozens or hundreds. Save yourself the hassle, just outsource to www.retouchup.com for $2.50 to $5.00 per edit, they do a good job and the first 20 are free.

I'm not associated with them, and I get no benefit recommending them, i'm just a happy customer. They can work magic for $5 that would take me hours to do a horrible job.

Thanks for the link, bookmarked!

A flat rate seems the way to go -thanks.

I'm not at the point where I can command high enough initial fees to cover that. I'm trying to come up with a work flow where I can do slimming, head and eye swapping on request for a premium so that clients can see the value of it.

Save yourself the hassle, just outsource to www.retouchup.com for $2.50 to $5.00 per edit

Right now I want to keep it under my control. Maybe when I've done hundreds I'll outsource it.

Why do it yourself when it can be done by someone else better and cheaper?

Im just wondering where these images are processed. I dont like the trend of outsourcing to other countries, and judging on how much they are getting paid, this makes me wonder if thier in North America, or in China.

They're in Peru, if I recall correctly. I use whatever product or service makes the most sense for me and my business, I don't care where people are.

if more Canadians and Americans cared where their merchandise was made, we wouldnt have lost so many factory jobs. But thats another topic that would probably get to political.