How much to charge for photographing a function: I have been asked to take the official photos at a friend's 80th birthday party. They want to pay me but I have no idea how much to...

Dinah Loc: Brisbane, Australia

I have been asked to take the official photos at a friend's 80th birthday party. They want to pay me but I have no idea how much to ask. I am not a professional but a reasonable photographer and know how to use post processing to achieve good end results. Any suggestions?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Dinah wrote:

I have been asked to take the official photos at a friend's 80th birthday party. They want to pay me but I have no idea how much to ask. I am not a professional but a reasonable photographer and know how to use post processing to achieve good end results. Any suggestions?

If you go in as a professional, there will be expectations you may not be able to meet. If you go to a friend's birthday party, take pictures and present the post-processed pictures as a gift, you will have fun and not be bound by expectations. That's what I did for my sister's 80th birthday party. As a matter of fact, I did no PP; I just sent her a disc of the raw pictures. I just checked; over 100 pictures. Most were mediocre, but I combined 2 shots of her dancing with her husband that she has hanging in their bedroom.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Dinah wrote:

I have been asked to take the official photos at a friend's 80th birthday party. They want to pay me but I have no idea how much to ask. I am not a professional but a reasonable photographer and know how to use post processing to achieve good end results. Any suggestions?

the key word here is friend . does it mean every one there is going to get a disk to keep them selves when you get them done . or you just making a copy for the friend , I'm thinking every one is getting a disk . don't charge the birthday man nothing . but if he wants to give every one there a disk charge him what it cost you the price of the cd you use . the best is if you give the birth day man a free disk . and you take orders from every one there for $5 a
disk . if you charge more than that the guests will be taking there own photos
and trade among themselves when they make up there own disk .

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Bram boy wrote:

the key word here is friend.

Just to reinforce what Bram Boy said......

The quickest way to lose a friend is to enter into a business agreement with him/her!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

When I first got out of the service, almost 50 years ago, I got a job as a VW mechanic and acquired a lot of tools along the way. I lived in a small suburb of the city I worked in. All of a sudden I became a very popular man and people dropped by my house requesting small adjustments to their cars. I made a mistake of doing some for free. I spent my week-ends doing free work. When I got a much better job, I sold my tools and used that as an excuse not to work on cars. I will not make the same mistake with photography. I will and have referred people to professional photographers by saying, "This is who we use would you like his/her number?" I'm not mean or selfish. I just don't want to spend my time photographing people and things I don't want to and I especially don't want to make money doing it. If I were a lot younger, I would simply say, "my fees are such and such is that agreeable with you?" Good luck and don't let it become a nightmare for you.

Dinah Loc: Brisbane, Australia

I told my friend I didn't want any payment but she insisted. I will just be taking the photos,deleting any bad shots, post processing the rest and putting them on a memory stick or disc to give to the birthday person who is actually the sister of my friend. She will do the printing or whatever she wants with them. The photos are not for the guests but as a record of the event and all the family who attended.

My friend said she would feel bad if she did not give me something for my work.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Dinah wrote:

I told my friend I didn't want any payment but she insisted. I will just be taking the photos,deleting any bad shots, post processing the rest and putting them on a memory stick or disc to give to the birthday person who is actually the sister of my friend. She will do the printing or whatever she wants with them. The photos are not for the guests but as a record of the event and all the family who attended.

My friend said she would feel bad if she did not give me something for my work.

If you don't want to accept money how about dinner at the best Restaurant in the area?

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Dinah wrote:

I told my friend I didn't want any payment but she insisted. I will just be taking the photos,deleting any bad shots, post processing the rest and putting them on a memory stick or disc to give to the birthday person who is actually the sister of my friend. She will do the printing or whatever she wants with them. The photos are not for the guests but as a record of the event and all the family who attended.

My friend said she would feel bad if she did not give me something for my work.

Tell you friend you have no idea what to charge and that if she insists on giving you something perhaps a gift certifacate would be the way to go. - Dave

amehta Loc: Boston

Dinah wrote:

I have been asked to take the official photos at a friend's 80th birthday party. They want to pay me but I have no idea how much to ask. I am not a professional but a reasonable photographer and know how to use post processing to achieve good end results. Any suggestions?

I have finally decided that I would charge 7-10% for a wedding. That might work for this event also. The more elaborate the party, the harder you have to work to represent it well.

hettmoe Loc: Rural ND

Dinah, When I have been in a similar situation, I charge and only accept $.08. Then I go have a good time, no pressure, and someone always likes a photo or two.

Dinah Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. As my friend still insists on giving me something I suggested she buys a new golf umbrella for me!

Bobbee

Dinah wrote:

I have been asked to take the official photos at a friend's 80th birthday party. They want to pay me but I have no idea how much to ask. I am not a professional but a reasonable photographer and know how to use post processing to achieve good end results. Any suggestions?

$50-$95 HR depending on how good and gutsy you are. Also depends on what you have to deliver. Photography is like an iceberg. The photo-taking is the TIP of the iceberg. The work really comes later.

Bobbee

Bram boy wrote:

the key word here is friend . does it mean every o... (show quote)

I disagree. Some time back a friend approached me and said. Why don't you charge for your photography, you do a great job (I was always with camera) I said, no one would pay for my photography. She said the reason she ask me is she wanted me to do a party for her. No big pressure. I did it, charged her and that event spring boarded me into a business. I had been into photography since I was 14. You know, when the Romans were taking over the world. Not that I am in any lacking of confidence, but that engagement and the ones that followed started cementing in my approach, my techniques and my dealings with people. It really started a business from just one transaction with a friend. I had did it really cheap too. So think about the fact that if you do this it could start you down a road you may never have thought about before. I am soon to be retiring and my business is picking back up after my move south. This is what I want to do. I find it exciting. You may too. Sort of like the saying "May you get what you wish for"

Jackdoor Loc: Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

Dinah wrote:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. As my friend still insists on giving me something I suggested she buys a new golf umbrella for me!

In a similar situation I just tell them to send a cheque for whatever they feel is right to the local school for brain damaged kids. Most important, it's a friend's wedding, have fun.

fotografz

So, this isn't "official photos" for a friend, but actually for a relative of a friend. IMO, that is a bit different.

I think it is commendable of your friend to insist on compensating you.

I also think being squeemish about charging for taking on the responsibility and doing the shoot and post work is something people need to get over. I've found that people's expectations of "friends who photograph" are just as high whether they pay you or not. In other words, the expectations, pressure and stress are the same.

I have a semi-diplomatic stock answer for those who seem to expect something for nothing "So sorry, I have all the free work I can handle right now."

I hope the golf umbrella is a really nice one.

- Marc