How would you approach this situation?

Rather than try to explain everything myself, I will just copy and paste the email I received.

"I want to subcontract you to shoot our company's corporate photos for the new imaging campaign that I am helping them with. I need a price for the shoot and then we need to set them up so they can buy whatever prints they need in the future. You will need to do a release in this case so that they can own the photos. Let me know."

Sooo...how do I approach this in a proper manner? I haven't dealt with the business aspect of photography and don't know what I should do. This is for a health care/assisted living/rehabilitation corporation if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Email her and arrange a phone conversation., or call if her # is in her sig. I try to get into verbal conversation as soon as possible.
Since you're asking about protocol you may be over-thinking it. Keep in mind that she's most likely sent the same message to other photographers.

I'm curious as to how and/or why they contacted you to do such a job when you say you've never done it as a business.

Me, too.
This could be phishing. They pay you with a "Certified" check for more than they owe you, & then you're supposed to cash it & send them the difference. Later your bank tells you that the check is no good & they charge you for the "advance" + the bad check charge.

Plus, it sounds like they want to buy prints from you, and own the copyright at the same time. Very strange right there. Nevermind that they're asking for a quote without giving you ANY information - like exactly what they want photos of, how many, how much time you have, etc.

Sounds fishy. Definitely try to talk to someone in person/over the phone if you decide to follow through with it. And if it does turn out to be legit and they do want the copyrights, be sure to charge a lot - don't cheap out on and give them all that for too little.

Sorry it took me so long to respond to the thread.

cdifoto wrote in post #10765047
I'm curious as to how and/or why they contacted you to do such a job when you say you've never done it as a business.

I have shot weddings and things like that, but just here and there and as an assistant. I guess what I should have said, was that I am not experienced with doing my own shoots. They contacted me after a family member recommended me and showed them some of my work.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #10766314
Me, too.
This could be phishing. They pay you with a "Certified" check for more than they owe you, & then you're supposed to cash it & send them the difference. Later your bank tells you that the check is no good & they charge you for the "advance" + the bad check charge.

Yikes!

Pennington wrote in post #10766341
Plus, it sounds like they want to buy prints from you, and own the copyright at the same time. Very strange right there. Nevermind that they're asking for a quote without giving you ANY information - like exactly what they want photos of, how many, how much time you have, etc.

Sounds fishy. Definitely try to talk to someone in person/over the phone if you decide to follow through with it. And if it does turn out to be legit and they do want the copyrights, be sure to charge a lot - don't cheap out on and give them all that for too little.

Thanks for the advice! I am still trying to contact them via phone. Do you folks know any good sites discussing pricing in regards to these sort of things?

Frugal wrote in post #10765015
Email her and arrange a phone conversation., or call if her # is in her sig. I try to get into verbal conversation as soon as possible.
Since you're asking about protocol you may be over-thinking it. Keep in mind that she's most likely sent the same message to other photographers.

Valid point.

I would give it a miss. Probably more hassle than its worth

I mean give them a call and see if they do sound legit atleast. Maybe sus out how payment will be made etc.. Dont give up just yet. Sus it all out first.