seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

I recently showed an old acquaintance my 'brag list' of my top pix on my fone, & he was impressed, & wants me to do a gig shooting him at a promo event for his jazz group.

Two hours, 100 exposures in that time, one time use.

He mentioned models will be there to help make best of shoot, for CD cover sleeve images.

He mentioned $150 since he is a student; but I revisited the whole thing. If there are models, someone must be paying them & I haven't seen the venue, & may need to bring speedlights, stands, a LumeCube or two…

What do you folks think about the fee he mentioned? I need the exposure, but also don't want negative precedent or negative P.R. if it's too low…

Thanks in advance, Eli

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I think it's too low. For that price, there is nothing left to process the out-takes and I would never give a client SOOC images (but of course you can do whatever you want). And yes, without seeing the venue you don't have a clue what you are shooting unless you can set up your own booth and shoot only there). I wouldn't be concerned about the models; that's someone else's business. In these days everyone with a camera phone is a photographer. But they're not. So, if this person wants professional photography he should be willing to pay no less than he'd have to pay a professional plumber. BTW, why do they want 100 images? That's a lot.

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

dat2ra - Thanks for the reply. Of course I would never give raw images w/out a steep premium as a deterrant & that still might not do it bc they could ruin the post processing & blame the resultant images on my shooting- bad P.R.

I mentioned the models to point out that they must have budget for models, so I thought why not for me?

The 100 shots was a total goal frr amount of work in time frame. I always explain the portfolio images I show are putting my best foot forward & they can't expect in a busy music shoot w/models that shutter releases can happen as models or instruments get in the way… & not all shots are going to be prize winners; but I do good work & they'll see that.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Not enough information!

Waht kind of a "gig" is it and waht is gonna go on there? If it is for publicity? I woud hope the jazz group will eventually profit from this effort. What do they expect as a final product? Are the pictures for publication, display at othere gigs and venues, so called "Glossies" to distribute to fans or to get bookings through an agency? You can't formulate a price if you don't know what you have to provide.

If you have done this kind of work before, you should be familiar with what equipmet and supplies are required and what your costs will be and what monies you expect to retain for you own time and profit.

If you are aspiring to a full or part-time career in professional photograhy, you can't afford to low-ball price yourself. It's a rut that's difficult to dig yourself out of, especially in a certain community such as musicians.- word travels fast! A business requires a business plan which includes a price structure based on costs of sales, overhead expenses, and profit margins. Nobody can come up with a random price structure for YOUR business.

So..if you are eventually starting a photograhy business, start the planning and construct a price structure that will cover you costs and expenses and yield a profit. If you are not serious about business, and that alright too, just charge whatever you think is fair and see how things turn out. It's better, however, to start out on the righ foot!

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

E.L. thanks for your reply- please revisit my initial post, I spelled out most of what you asked & my later replies to others show I get the bad P.R. lowballing would create, & as you say- esp. in a given niche. Thanks for that good point abt tendency for the word to get out in a specific niche!

Prev. input reminded me that I have to figure price of time for post processing, as I won't give / sell raw files, too much of a minefield, too much room to go wrong.

I'd give jpg files, that would only go so big- & target size for CD sleeve shots I mentioned for P.R. & I mentioned one time use; but wasn't sure of how much pix for CD sleeves should go for, compared to some big name headshot fotogs that get $1,500 for a 2hr sitting.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Also need to have a conversation about watermarking your photos (preferably, yes). Oh, I know it can be removed, but that would be a really deliberate move that honest people don't do.

engguy82

Check out the going rate for wedding photographers in your area. For a couple of hours and post processing of 100 images assuming all are good you will probably find out they would start in the neighborhood of 2500.00 to 3500.00 depending on the part of the country you are are in.

hippi Loc: Sedalia MO

In most clubs I have been too all have bad and mixed lighting and dark, is this going to be when they are opened are closed if opened lighting may not be aloud and setup would be very hard closed is something else you have more options in lighting and tripod setup

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

EngGuy82, did you mean to give this advice to base the music gig, shooting performer & models for CD inside sleeve pix - based on wedding rates?

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

hippi, thanks, yeah, I thought about lighting & was gonna ask abt seeing the venue in advance- your input is appreciated… should take that into account what lighting is there & do they allow flash… potential nightmare & definitely requires more setup work, & even more post processing. That was a no-bid offer I should have seen. Guess I was too eager & naive about what's involved w/that type of photography. Thank again!

JBeck Loc: Orangeville Ontario

As a wedding photographer,I would not charge anything less then $1500.00 total cost..

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

JBeck, thanks for reply, but I _did_ say it's a music gig… ☺

JBeck Loc: Orangeville Ontario

I Understand you,you have to set up the equipment,etc... I did a photo shoot outside,I also charged them $1650 for under 2 1/2 hours work...no matter what the venue is.

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

OK, I only checked b/c a music gig, just to provide one-time use P.R. shots for inside CD sleeve case didn't seem on the same level of work, or even (emotional) importance as a wedding. I nonetheless await to hear what you have to say. Thanks in advance, Eli

JBeck Loc: Orangeville Ontario

YVW Make sure you have the Correct Facial Views (Sides,Left/Right Profile,Full Face..etc.