Aldente

Hello everyone.
Recently a neighbor asked me to take some publicity photos of his wife, who is a member of S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild).
After briefly talking to her, (we didn't have much time to go into details), she basically explained that she might need about 12 "no shadows" photos with about 4 changes of clothing.

I presume some of the photos (3 or 4) she wants to have retouched (with me "applying digital make-up" and basically REALLY working on them) and with the rest having just some basic adjustments.
Additionally, she wants to have them printed (not sure about the size).

Hence my question: what should I charge her, given I would have to bring my lighting equipment and have the photos printed?
Is there a set going rate for publicity photos or should I charge her 'per project' or do it on the per/hour basis?

I envision to spend at least a couple of hours just at the shoot and a few more retouching the photos.
I don't want to scare her off with the prices nor do I want to undercharge her for the work performed.
(Expected equipment to be used: 1D-series camera, EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM, EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM, 2x 580EX-II or even 2 monolights)

Any input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx.

duane klipping Loc: Bristow iowa

Do you need the work and or the money? You also need to ask your self what your time is worth. A session I would say 200 to 400 depending on location and wardrobe changes. Prints are on top of that. Do some web searches in your area and see what others are charging and price accordingly.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Politely tell her to ask a Professional Photographer to do the professional job. That's what they are in business for.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If you've never done this sort of work before, I'd politely suggest that she'd do better by going to an experienced photographer. If I were asked to do this, I'd charge 150/hour plus expenses. I'd also have her provide examples of the type of photographs she's looking to have as final products. They don't necessarily have to be of her, but examples of what she wants. Make copious notes during the discussion. Then, bring those notes to an attorney and have a contract drawn up that both of you sign in front of a witness. If you don't wish to go through all of that, definitely suggest someone else do the work.
--Bob

Aldente

This is not about "professional photographer" or not (I did similar work for others and she liked what she saw in my portfolio), but I thought there would be a special/additional criteria for this type of a shoot.
Anyway, thank you all for your suggestions.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Agreed.

If you are asking these basic questions then you aren't ready.

If she's trying to get you to do it, then she's off track too.


Having said that...Peter Hurley charges 2000.00 for a headshot shoot. :)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Peter's work rocks. One can easily see why that price is worth it.
--Bob

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Head shots should NEVER be excessively retouched. NEVER!!!! They get tossed as soon as the casting agent sees them. Head shots need to show the actor with minimal affect. Women wearing normal makeup is fine. Fixing a blemish is fine. Deleting a stray hair is OK. But doing heavy editing or applying filters is just out. Casting agents and directors can spot it a mile off. And woe to the actor who shows up not looking like their heads shot.

Aldente

Thank you for your constructive remark.
I was of the same opinion and told this woman about a possibility of not looking in real life like on the photos, but she insisted - that's what threw me off.
She doesn't want to use MUA and prefers digital make-up, etc..

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

You'll have to look around but I remember seeing a price on this site a few years back. Vanie Poyey is considered a very good LA photographer.

https://poyeyphotos.com/headshots/

Aldente

Thank you kindly for the link.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

I'm not really into editing indivual images, which is another reason why I like Capture One Pro,(very limited editing), and not Photoshop, (unrestricted editing). You should checkout the article "The term is retouching not editing!", if you feel the way I do.

https://poyeyphotos.com/headshots/retouching-vs-editing/

tripsy76 Loc: Northshore, MA

I would be careful with the request to retouch. I deal with casting agents all the time and there are few things that I hate more than paying for a casting call which has limited time to audition (and is also not cheap for SAG) just to see chosen actors that look nothing like their photo. That is something that could impact her relationship with the casting agency.
I would maybe advise her to think about an ask like that. At least that way you are trying to help her before making a decision to do it or not.

tripsy76 Loc: Northshore, MA

Just saw this post! Couldn’t agree with you more! Subtle post processing as mentioned above is acceptable, heavy retouching and altering is not. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves.
If you want to remain on good terms with your neighbor, I would let her know that it could severely impact her ability to be cast. We need to see what they really look like so we can make sure they at least visually are a fit.

Aldente

I appreciate your input.