Hi everyone, I just did a job for a friend of mine and now I have to decide what to charge her. It consisted of about 5 hours of work, 4 rolls of film, and 2 locations. I figured on the total cost of film and processing of 4x6's along with travel expenses of about $90. She is going to be choosing 1 or 2 to enlarge, so I will consider that cost separately, but as for the basic charge do you think that about $200 is fair? Or am I way off base?
You should have probably discussed this with her "before" you did the job. That way, no nasty surprises....
Yeah, I agree with you, but being new to this whole thing, I had no idea what my costs were going to end up being and I might have either way overcharged or way undercharged. I'm not looking to make a lot on this, only to cover my costs and take home a little extra for my work.
IMHO that's way low - but the word "friend" may make that a moot point.
Looking at it strictly from a busines view:
Film and processing $40
Travel $50
Leaving a gross profit of $110
Take 25% off for taxes to the government (I'm not familiar with your taxes north of the border.)
That leaves $82.50 "profit"
Hours: 5 for the shoot, 1 to prepare and 1 for post-shoot activity = 7 hours.
Your actual hourly rate in somewhere around $11.75 - assuming you counted the driving time moving locations, you had no model fees or props, no meals, etc.
If that's an acceptable rate, your figure is ok. But like I said - it seems pretty low as a lot of photographers have day rates way above the number you quoted.
Your figures are very accurate (were you spying?) :)
However, the 5 hours included pre and post shoot activities...so that brings the hourly rate to around $16.50, which is about all I feel comfortable charging a friend at this point in the game. I think once I get a little better and start shooting actual clients, I will charge much more.
You definitely should have reached an agreement beforehand. By including a "profit" in your thinking you are setting yourself up as a professional photographer, and not disclosing the price to your customer in advance isn't very professional. Do you have the experience and skill level of a professional photographer? Did you use professional grade equipment in the shoots? Is she getting professional grade photos? If she is really a friend, and you are not a photographer by profession, you ought to just ask for expenses. Otherwise you are putting a price on your friendship.
You definitely should have reached an agreement beforehand. By including a "profit" in your thinking you are setting yourself up as a professional photographer, and not disclosing the price to your customer in advance isn't very professional. Do you have the experience and skill level of a professional photographer? Did you use professional grade equipment in the shoots? Is she getting professional grade photos? If she is really a friend, and you are not a photographer by profession, you ought to just ask for expenses. Otherwise you are putting a price on your friendship.
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As I said, I am new to this. I did not know what my costs were going to be. I'm not looking for a profit. If I used this term, I am sorry. I am looking to cover my expenses and get paid for my time which we both agreed to beforehand.
I'm not sure what the term 'professional equipment' means, as I have read about professionals who shoot with cameras they bought for $2.00 at a thrift store. I used a Canon Eos Elan 7 with Ilford b/w 400 pushed to 1600 and Agfa 160 portrait film. As far as the final product, yes, there are professional looking shots, she is very very pleased with the product. You are right in that I should have come to an agreement beforehand, and that was my error. Since that's not possible anymore, I was simply asking what I should charge at this point in time. If your answer if just the costs, thank you, I will take it under consideration.
Not quite the same topic, but I just did a website for a friend of a friend. Rather than doing it on the cheap I invoiced him the full amount and discounted 60% - guess what, he has just come back for another site at the full rate!
The moral i'm trying to say is tell them what a 'professional' photog would charge and discount heavily, if they like your work they may well come back and pay proper rates.
The moral i'm trying to say is tell them what a 'professional' photog would charge and discount heavily, if they like your work they may well come back and pay proper rates.
Wow, this is a great idea! Now I have to figure out what a professional would charge. Any ideas?
The moral i'm trying to say is tell them what a 'professional' photog would charge and discount heavily, if they like your work they may well come back and pay proper rates.
Wow, this is a great idea! Now I have to figure out what a professional would charge. Any ideas?
