Photography

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A place to politely discuss the tools, technique and culture of photography.

This is not a good place to simply share cool photos/videos or promote your own work and projects, but rather a place to discuss photography as an art and post things that would be of interest to other photographers.

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What do I charge? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by Expensive-Animator28@alien.top to c/photography@viewfinder.pro

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Hello, I was recently hired to do a 2-hour event shoot of a company’s parade float. They only want 12 photos in the end, but obviously I’ll have to edit much more than that so they can pick out which 12 they want. I’m also a sophomore in college and wouldn’t say I have more than the average amount of experience. I really just don’t know what to charge for shooting or editing. I don’t want to overcharge, but I know if i lowball then I won’t be taken seriously.

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[–] 0000GKP@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What do I charge?

$200 - $500 is reasonable, although I personally would not do it for $200.

They only want 12 photos in the end, but obviously I’ll have to edit much more than that so they can pick out which 12 they want.

Don’t do that. Either choose, edit, and deliver the 12 shots with no input from them, or let them choose from proofs (unedited or minimal exposure & white balance adjustments), then edit the 12 they choose.

I prefer to ask up front what is important to them (signage, costumes, specific people, etc), then focus on getting the types of shots they want. From there I choose the final shots but make sure everything on their list is covered.

I’m also a sophomore in college and wouldn’t say I have more than the average amount of experience.

This changes the way you feel about yourself. It does not change the value of the pictures to them.

[–] ChemicalTouch4627@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Do you think if you are less experienced but can put out good photos, is it ok to charge less and how much less most of the people in your area or would that be undermining the business? I never know what to do when it comes to money and end up screwing myself.

[–] mike16541@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

of course you don't, because you have a tendency to be impulsive. Just like how you impulsively posted trash in my topic.

[–] 0000GKP@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

It's in your best financial interest to charge as much as you can get people to pay you. As time goes on, your goal should always be to do less work for more money. Why work ten $100 jobs if you can work one $1000 job?

I don't really believe in the concept of undermining the business. If you are a $200 photographer and I am a $2000 photographer, your pricing is not impacting me at all. My clients aren't going to hire a $200 photographer. There are plenty of people out there who can only afford $200. They deserve good pictures.

If it comes down to you at $200 and someone else at $300, well that's just business.