How much to charge? I know this has been discussed before, but I have a unique situation and I'd like some opinions. I currently take photos for an online magazine. I don't get paid...

Big Grouch

I know this has been discussed before, but I have a unique situation and I'd like some opinions.
I currently take photos for an online magazine. I don't get paid, but they help me get into events and places I could never get into otherwise. I view it as an internship, and it's fun. I was contacted by an organization starting a new drag racing circuit. They need a photographer. Events are typically 10-12 hours a day. Besides shooting their event for their use, I can guarantee them coverage of the event in the magazine, usually 150 photos. Views of this magazine is typically in the six figures every day. That seems like valuable exposure.
So...what to charge? Is it reasonable to have a per day price plus expenses for events out of town? Any input most appreciated.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

you gonna do it by the day, hour, or event, or picture?

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

I think a day rate and expenses sounds reasonable. You are also giving them the extra bonus of the magazine coverage. 10 to 12 hours a day is a huge block of time. Will you also be selling prints?

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

here are some thoughts.
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=89832

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

$1000 per day plus costs and travelling time plus full press pass sounds cheap to me. 6 figure readership per day is big coverage for them.

Big Grouch wrote:

I know this has been discussed before, but I have ... (show quote)

nekon Loc: Carterton, New Zealand

Big Grouch wrote:

I know this has been discussed before, but I have ... (show quote)

Daily rate $1200.00, but your images need to be better than the one you've posted- it's out of focus, composition sucks and there's lack of contrast.

cthahn

Big Grouch wrote:

I know this has been discussed before, but I have ... (show quote)

You only know what you are worth and what you expenses are.
Do you want to make a profit? How good are your photos? Take a class on running a business. You will be surprised at what you do not know.

Eustace2 Loc: Cincinnati

This is worth your time to work out now because you could be setting the standard for your future paid work. I read Elizabeth Etienne's book "How to Create a Successful Photography Business" a few months ago and she gives some good guidance on setting up your business and setting prices.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Actually the car is in focus, the blurriness comes from camera movement following a moving drag racer, actually a nice effect that shows speed. My only concerns are the tilted horizon, which might be explainable by the need to show the car in the right orientation, and the rear end of the car almost off the page, which might be fixable a little if you crop off the space in front of the car. I know it is hard to pan the camera and catch a speeding object, but that is what would really make this picture, a little better centering of the car; not necessarily perfect centering, but just a little more on the left at least. Perhaps standing further back or back off the zoom so you have some leeway to crop is an idea for future pictures.

nekon wrote:

Daily rate $1200.00, but your images need to be better than the one you've posted- it's out of focus, composition sucks and there's lack of contrast.

Big Grouch

georgevedwards wrote:

Actually the car is in focus, the blurriness comes... (show quote)

Actually I chose the wrong image for the post. Small thumbnail and I clicked on the wrong one. I take many poor photos at the races, but also get some good ones. The guys interested in hiring me have seen my work and are happy with it. If they hired one of the pro photogs that follow all the races they would spend lots more that what they will pay me, assuming I get the work.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

If you think your work is as good as those pros, you should charge the same. Otherwise you are scab labor.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Big Grouch wrote:

I know this has been discussed before, but I have ... (show quote)

Would there be any post processing involved? That could make a huge difference.

Big Grouch

I've only had access to the starting line at drag strips for 3 years now. My photos are not as good as the guys who have been doing it for a living for 30 years, therefore I don't feel I can charge the same. And unless I'm crossing a picket line to shoot photos I'm not a scab. I was a Teamster for many years and know what a scab is. I'm not taking away anyone's job.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

OK, so how much do the 30 years guys get?

Big Grouch wrote:

I've only had access to the starting line at drag strips for 3 years now. My photos are not as good as the guys who have been doing it for a living for 30 years, therefore I don't feel I can charge the same. And unless I'm crossing a picket line to shoot photos I'm not a scab. I was a Teamster for many years and know what a scab is. I'm not taking away anyone's job.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Big Grouch wrote:

I've only had access to the starting line at drag strips for 3 years now. My photos are not as good as the guys who have been doing it for a living for 30 years, therefore I don't feel I can charge the same. And unless I'm crossing a picket line to shoot photos I'm not a scab. I was a Teamster for many years and know what a scab is. I'm not taking away anyone's job.

OK - as long as your work is not up to their standard, charging less is reasonable. Just keep thinking of how the Teamsters view anyone who would come in and do the same job for less.