ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Recently my wife pointed out a query in our local next door network for somebody that wanted some photos of his dog and would pay a "reasonable" fee. I was interested because I'd love to make some money for more gear. Then we got to talking and agreed I would have to interview the client to see how many photos they would want in what settings and so forth. I listen to podcasts all the time and a recurring theme is how the client wants even the pictures I would think are crap photographically. They like a particular expression or the image brings up an emotion or whatever makes them care less that it is blurry and not lit well etc. So do you guys hand over all your digital negatives or do you submit your culled and finished images of what YOU decided were worthy? Do most of you provide images digitally or do you offer and provide prints? Do you charge by the hour or do you charge a flat fee for a certain amount of shots? I know even a small shoot can be very labor intensive, not so much in the shooting itself but in the post processing and delivery activities. It's hard to figure out how to charge, for what, and how much. Any input is appreciated. I've never sold a shot to anyone.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Pat,
I retain the right to keep those photos that do not exemplify my best photographic effort. I just recently photographed a series of family photos. Brothers families, mom and dad with the entire collection of family members, etc. It was a good set of mix and match. In the end I came back with 21 photos. The first was a test to make sure both strobes were working, etc. So, we're down to 20. of those, 1 caught one of the group with eyes closed. In the end, I'm turning over 19 images for them to print. No, they won't see the ones I consider unworthy.

In any photographic collection I've photographed, I've only turned over the ones that were indicative of the quality I produce. Even though focus may be sharp, exposure right on, there is something in the photo that makes it less than desirable to have in the public. I keep those.

Additionally, keep in mind the amount of processing you'll be doing in addition to travel time, set up/tear down time, and shooting time. That all adds up.
--Bob

WILLARD98407 Loc: TACOMA, WA.

no matter what they say, never show stuff you don't want seen.

charge a reasonable amount for the shoot and then per print, or an amount for a group of a certain number, AFTER any corrections you want to make.

you are shooting to make the doggie pics as good as possible, why hand the customer "proof-quality" images.

it's like selling wedding proofs. they will be seen and folks will say, "Look at these really nice pics. What happened to the others that aren't very good? Why aren't they all top quality?"

there goes the rep.

just how I handle things. ( if they're not after prints, you can put them on a dvd or a combination with prints)

mrbill

BebuLamar

I am not and never was a pro photographer but I have managed a photo finishing lab. I had customers who didn't like the prints so I had to do reprint for them and sometimes many times until they are satistfied. After that they asked if the can have the bad prints? I never gave those to them. So in your case I unless you charge by the number of prints they would want everything as long as it doesn't cost them any more. No don't give them those as a package.

canon Lee

Everyone values his time differently.... I break it down this way. Time= travel, set up/breakdown time, if you are using props or backdps, shoot time, gas/ tolls, and most important editing time. value of your time and talents= what ever you want to make on the shoot. There are some that sell prints only, because they don't want the client to have the original edited file. There are those that burn to a disc all high res. images.

I charge one contract price, based on total time and expenses, burned to a disc. Selling prints/ enlargements, was big years ago, but presently, burning edited images to a disc is more desirable, and less expensive .....

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Thank-You, great information. I am starting to see a trend of releasing only the best images and that feels right.

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Thank-You, I agree with this. I did read a nice article explaining to manage expectations make all this clear up front on your web site, your consultation and on your contract before any shooting takes place.

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

I agree with this too. It is hard to factor in everything and come up with a price per hour lets say. To price it as a package sounds better for me and the customer. I don't have to stress if it is taking longer than expected.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As MR Bill said: no matter what they say, never show stuff you don't want seen.

Selling some images to your neighbor probably provides a lot of flexibility that range from a nice neighborly thing to do while gaining experience to the other extreme of never ending, nagging hell ... You'll have to judge the potential for how things might play out. But, if you want to do it "professionally", you'll need to set some basic parameters for the scope of your effort:

1. How many dogs will be involved?
2. Where will the photography occur and for how long a duration for shooting? What contingency plans will exist for weather, location, acts of God, etc? Who will be present and what role(s) will they play?
3. What is the expected number of fully edited images to be generated? How long in time (hours, days, weeks) will you need to generate of proofs for review by the client following the completion of shooting?
4. What format will the final results be delivered? Social Media sized? Print-ready? Both? Other? Also, JPEG only, JPEG and RAW? For electronic delivery, what media is best for the client: email, thumb-drive, CD / DVD, other?
5. Their payment, when? Is there a deposit / partial payment to get started or all due at the end or upfront?

Before meeting with the client, you should have these minimum parameters thought out and priced, by piece / option or a lump sum. Prepared as in prepared in writing for preparation during the discussion. You should have a vision of what you plan to produce and how much effort you plan to expend to generate the intended result. The potential customer may be interested in something completely different than your vision and you should be prepared to adjust the project description or even to walk away if you cannot define an agreement to meet their expectations.

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Perfect! Sounds like you've been-there-done-that. Thanks so much for these specifics!

Joe Blow

Been there, done that, and set my fees accordingly. I aim for a fee of $25 to $50 /hr after expenses.

If you have an idea of how rich your neighbor is, THAT is the most important factor.

-Ask how many poses do they want,
-what they intend on doing (screen saver, mugs, share with their cousin in St. Louis, framed 16X12, etc),
-where they want the shots taken (including number of locals and will you need a light set up),
-how rambunctious or passive the animal is,
-and if they want digital files or you print them
-who is paying for any framing, mounting, or albums.

Then set a reasonable fee on what you think your time is worth, what your costs will be, and the customer would be comfortable with paying.

repleo Loc: Boston

Before you go putting yourself out as a dog photographer take a look at these and then decide if you are up to snuff.

http://dogbreathphoto.com/

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Oh God. I've seen those. No way! That's like saying, "So you want to be a landscape photographer, check out this here Ansel Adams character!" Yeah I've seen her stuff and that's how it's done alright.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Knowledge of some of the excellent work had me gather my thoughts and shape my input earlier. Do you envision creating images like / similar to Kaylee Greer's work? (the Dog Breath Photograph) Do you have the equipment for your vision, whether similar or completely different, including the lenses and flash, post processing, etc? If your vision is completely different than the client's, whether in composition, scope, or just simply the price, are you prepared to negotiate something mutually agreeable or to simply walk away? And when discussing the scope of the work, what examples of your vision can you present in the discussion to share your vision of the results?

In violation of the old business adage, "never work with children or animals," have you priced your risk accordingly?

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

A couple of years ago, I shot a wedding for some friends and I said, there would be no charge. After the wedding I provided them with images on a couple of DVD's, but I also gave them about a hundred prints. A couple 16x20, but mostly small ones (like 5x7's and 8 1/2 x11's). Even though we agreed I did this for free, a week later I received a check for $1200 and no matter what I tried, they refused to take it back. I certainly did not give them any shots out of focus and only the ones I thought were worthy! And no, I never give any "digital negatives"/ raw files to anybody!