How do you charge?

[Gary Silverstein]

Hi Everyone -

The question that frequently comes up between my partner and I is how to charge. We have a competitor who charges by the day at a lower fee than we do. He also gives his clients all the images he shoots, usually 12 to 16 images per day. I know, because I once posed as a client. We charge by the half-day (which includes up to 5 images), or the whole day (which includes up to 10 images). If we take extra images, and the client wants them, we have additional pricing on them based on what the images average out to.

This other photographer is professional enough, although I think our quality is better. He has, however, gotten bids away from us due to pricing.

How does everyone else charge: by the day? by the image? Like us, both?

Thanks.

Gary

My rates is a formula based on the number of shots (4-5 per day) project size (number of days 1 to 8 days), difficulty, location, usage and shared usage.

[Thomas Bliss]

It's fluid. I have a baseline and its a sliding scale from there. But one thing I never do is charge by the image. It's always by the day. I can only shoot so much in a day depending on "produced shots" vs "available light exteriors/interiors" I consider the usage, and number of users, yada, yada.

I don't have a punch list. It really depends on the client.

This week I'm shooting exteriors, with one aerial shot. Seven locations, one client. I'm flying in with a camera bag, a laptop, and one piece of checked baggage. Three days, seven locations, $12,000.00

Like I said, its fluid.

[Colin Streater]

I charge by the day and the usage. For my day rate you get 1 usage for one year for one territory (ie UK). Additional timescale, territories and usages are additional and charged at multiples of the day rate. This is all as recommended by the Association of Photographers in London. The Association of Photographers The number of shots supplied depends on the shoot. Sometimes I supply everything and sometimes I shoot different areas and comp it all together to form one image. I NEVER give the client copyright as under law I own it and it would stop the ability to charge extra when they decide they want to use it worldwide in a 64 sheet poster. More usage more money as far as I'm concerned. There will always be idiots that undercut you, but they never get the good jobs as clients generally believe you get what you pay. Set your fee depending on how skilled you are and how many people can do what you can do. You don't get a Ferrari for Mini money!

[ccarothers]

I usually charge by the day or half day, fee (including creative and usage) plus production expenses. Sometimes, if it makes it easier for the client or the client's number people, I'll divide that by the number of shots required to give a per shot charge. But I almost always do a walk through so I can be exact on number of shots per day given the particulars of the project. If I can't walk the site I'll talk about int. vs ext., produced vs. not, etc. to give them an idea of how many shots per day.

And I feel your pain Gary. Unfortunately there are competent people in my area giving it all away for a song. I've just got to find the clients who expect more and are willing to pay for it.

Best,

[dmassphoto]

So, what does one do if everyone in that region "gives it away for a song?" I can't keep any clients at those rates or expect to generate new income.