DwsPV Loc: South Africa

Singleviking, I am agreeing with you too on the money.

But Google tells the garage story, just the opposite way you do? Anyway, I am trying to get out the garage myself. :)

Eveline

This might seem like a dumb question. But, did the company or you, the photographer discuss being paid for the job prior to doing it? If not, it might be awkward to just hand in a bill. You might want to talk to the person who asked you to do the job before you hand it in.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

First I would like to congratulate you on getting a professional shoot. Now, about doing this for your employer. From the posts I have read, you are a management employee, that serves at the pleasure of your employer, and your job does in no way require you to be a photographer in any remote way. This could become a sticky wicket for you in the long run, and could become a disaster for your present job, should the employer become dissatisfied with your photography in the future. It may be I'm very sensitive about employment issues in the U.S. since here you can be let go for any reason the employer feel will pass the legal system. This means conversations at work, at a picnic or at another non-job related event.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Interesting! You asked somethings that are very relavent

- would you charge your employer?
- would you charge full or reduced pricing?
- what would you charge, employer or not?
- is $50 US an hour a good ballpark figure?

First you hired for something other than Photography.

Careful of the pints. In a sense you are working for or as a agency. Fees are reflected many times by budget rather than worth. You will get work by being flexable.

In MHO never wok by the hour ALWAYS by project. Factor in time. If project changes put in a CHANGE ORDER. Referencem if a field shoot contract should read two days field if client cause to go long added fee.

At once get a LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING singed between you and your emplyer.

Never ever give up copy rights. Always lease for a scpecific time.

What if the company is sold?


Once upon time I shot stills of a video production that a company I work for did. I got letters understanding from clients and emplyer that this was my property and if every used I would be compensated. I went on vacation production grabed my film of my desk develpoed it and put it in video at clients request.

Client tried to stiff company as they had an escape clause but couldn't get around my contract. My company got paid, I ended up with about two years salary and six attorneys were very happy.

I ahve an image out that I have priced at very insane amount. It can be recreated and I don't think they are going to go for it but if you don't stand tall!

Good luck and keep push, careful of the pints.

eye2eye Loc: Chicago, Illinois

I was hired in operations at my current firm which happens to be architectural. When they (management)found out I was a film major in college it was suggested that I replace the expensive photographers by just investing in the equipment. Photo shoots of finished projects were costing our company anywhere from $1200 to $1700 per session. Now they get me at my reg salary to go in and shoot the finished projects. The pictures are just as good (if not better) and I get compensated with time and a half towards vacation. They probably get the better end of the bargain, but I get up to 3 weeks extra paid vacation a year. Plus I didn't have to buy the equipment, just suggest what to get. It worked out.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

At the end of employeement do you get to keep equipment. Do you get to use quipment on your own projects do you have bill of sale and agreement in writing. I have had the time to see these go south.

Good vaction and shooting!

eye2eye Loc: Chicago, Illinois

Thanks! The equipment is theirs. If it were to be mine, I would be going in as an independent contractor and competing with the paid professionals and their fee's. This was pretty much a win-win to me and the company. Now I can purchase the best equipment for myself based on personal experience, and they get great pictures since I know the rules of lighting and framing.

Guy Johnstone Loc: Ocean Shores WA

for outside work I charge 125.00 US an hour. I bill everything I do at the same rate. If I need to bring in a stylist or a carpenter, I charge the client double the helpers rate. That doesn't happen often, I can do most of that stuff myself.

Some fundamental differences: I never supply a client with raw files. The dynamic range on your cable shoot above is too great to print well. There's no separation between the highlights on the plug and the background. you're getting there, but lighting is more than just eliminating the product. There are some technical concerns I don't believe you are addressing. I'm sure there's a book out there somewhere that would help. Good luck

wierdphotoguy Loc: the snow belt in Michigan

I have no idea what pro photog rates are in SA, but I have just snapped up a couple of small gigs myself. I started out by charging half of the going local rate, and letting the customer keep all rights to the pics of his jewelry. The second one, I charged a little more (more confident as the first customer was happy) and made the customer agree to let me use the images for my portfolio, but not for stock photo sales.

If I were in your shoes, I would consider 850.00 a fair price. As long as you feel adequately compensated without your employer having regrets on hiring you, that is all that matters.

If your boss asks you to do it again, there are a few things to consider:
1 Rights - if you want to use the images for your portfolio or to sell as stock photos, reduce the price a little and get specifics in writing.
2 Liability - if your current insurance will not cover damage to company property at your home, ask for a signed liability waiver in case one of the televisions gets damaged while in your possession. If you will be doing more of this type of work it will be a selling point if you can state that you are insured against damages
3 Continuing customer discount - this will encourage repeat business
4 Time - someone mentioned earlier about add-ons; if you set an hourly rate this is no problem, but if you quote a price and get work added on then you have to refigure the price
5 Referrals - offer a discount off future services or a cash incentive for referrals that lead to other paid gigs. This incentive will make your customers sell your services for you.
6 Confidence - never let on that you are unsure when meeting with a new prospective customer; they see a camera that they cannot use and they assume that you are a professional. Do not dispel this assumption. If the customer has used a professional photographer in the past they may ask you pointed questions about your experience, but show them a nice portfolio and let that speak for you.

My portfolio shows off my best shots whether they were paid for or not. Never underestimate the power of a book filled with prints that can be handles by a client - it is much more tactile (and therefore appealing) than a website when meeting with a prospective client.



I hope my advice helps. I am new to this too but these are some pointers passed along to me by more experienced photogs.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Either do it for free or walk away! What if they do not like what you shoot. It could be your job if an argument develops.

As the old saying goes:

Never dip your pen in company ink!

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Either do it for free or walk away! What if they do not like what you shoot. It could be your job if an argument develops.

As the old saying goes:

Never dip your pen in company ink!

eye2eye Loc: Chicago, Illinois

What if I'm dipping the company's pen in the company's ink? I'm just using the pen at no charge.

GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

Being as you indicate that your a manager, what would you pay one of your employee's to do this?
I took some 'on site' photos of a job on company time and they paid for the film processing. They were givin to the company and a couple ended up on a calendar that was given to all the company salesmen for gifts to our customers. I didn't even get a thank you, but then again I was required to sign a statement upon my initial hiring that basically said everything I did was their property anyway.
Be careful of the toes you step on today as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.

Doug B Loc: Edmonton Alberta

I would phone around and find out what other pros are charging in your area for that type of shoot and time involved. This will give you a better idea of what you and your employer would see as a fair price and then decide from there.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

All the details should have been ironed out before you took the first shot. If your co. ask you to do somthing under their employ you do it. But if it is beyond your job classafaction and you have to use your own gear than you should be componsated. I photographed Many of my employers bosses supervisers And fellow employees Childrens weddings. But I always charged my full price. Never had a complant. They knew they were getting a job well done. When I was in bussnes for myself I nevered advertised. All my jobs came by word of mouth. If you do the job right they will come.