One of those 'what would you charge' questions

CWyatt · 02-27-2011, 04:45 PM

I've done quite a lot of commercial work, but most of it has been for others where I am on a salary or hourly rate. This week I'm doing a shoot for a small business, for around 15-20 promotional shots for their website.

I have an idea of what I want to charge, but I'm interested in what others would charge, based on my estimates of:
2-3 hours shooting, including 30 min travel time
3 hours post-processing
Supply/licensing of 15-20 images for website

Thanks for thoughts.

Colbyt · 02-27-2011, 05:10 PM

Your normal rates or a prearranged price.

At least that is the way I would handle it in a non-photo situation.

CWyatt · 02-27-2011, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by Colbyt

Your normal rates or a prearranged price.

At least that is the way I would handle it in a non-photo situation.

Yes it will be normal rates/pre-arranged price. The thing is my normal rates have usually been salary for employers, not freelancing. So I'm asking what would your charge be in this circumstance based on my time/business needs estimates.

SpecialK · 02-27-2011, 05:17 PM

$1200 all inclusive.

Colbyt · 02-27-2011, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by CWyatt

Yes it will be normal rates/pre-arranged price. The thing is my normal rates have usually been salary for employers, not freelancing. So I'm asking what would your charge be in this circumstance based on my time/business needs estimates.

As a responsible, legal freelancer you should be providing some overhead items like liability insurance and maybe more local taxes. For sure in the US you will pick up an extra 6.85% on the FICA. You also have to deal with billing, collections and potential "bad debt".

20-30% more than what you charge when working as an employee should break you even. 40-50% more would not be that far out of line IMO.

All my work before I retired was on a contract basis. I provided all of the above at both the wholesale and retail level. I routinely charged 25% at the retail level than I did at the wholesale level. The margins may be different in the photo business.

That is about the most honest opinion I know how to provide.

Edit: I see FICA does not apply but maybe VAT does. Consider your legal costs.

Class A · 03-06-2011, 04:19 AM

Originally posted by CWyatt

3 hours post-processing

That's 9min on average per image for 20 images, not including initial culling. I guess I'd need more than that for three hours worth of shooting, but it of course depends on the shooting situations and how polished the images need to be.

02-27-2011, 04:45 PM	#1
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	One of those 'what would you charge' questions I've done quite a lot of commercial work, but most of it has been for others where I am on a salary or hourly rate. This week I'm doing a shoot for a small business, for around 15-20 promotional shots for their website. I have an idea of what I want to charge, but I'm interested in what others would charge, based on my estimates of: 2-3 hours shooting, including 30 min travel time 3 hours post-processing Supply/licensing of 15-20 images for website Thanks for thoughts.

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02-27-2011, 05:10 PM	#2
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,417	Your normal rates or a prearranged price. At least that is the way I would handle it in a non-photo situation.

02-27-2011, 05:15 PM	#3
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291 Original Poster	Originally posted by Colbyt Your normal rates or a prearranged price. At least that is the way I would handle it in a non-photo situation. Yes it will be normal rates/pre-arranged price. The thing is my normal rates have usually been salary for employers, not freelancing. So I'm asking what would your charge be in this circumstance based on my time/business needs estimates.

02-27-2011, 05:17 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	$1200 all inclusive.

02-27-2011, 06:56 PM	#5
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,417	Originally posted by CWyatt Yes it will be normal rates/pre-arranged price. The thing is my normal rates have usually been salary for employers, not freelancing. So I'm asking what would your charge be in this circumstance based on my time/business needs estimates. As a responsible, legal freelancer you should be providing some overhead items like liability insurance and maybe more local taxes. For sure in the US you will pick up an extra 6.85% on the FICA. You also have to deal with billing, collections and potential "bad debt". 20-30% more than what you charge when working as an employee should break you even. 40-50% more would not be that far out of line IMO. All my work before I retired was on a contract basis. I provided all of the above at both the wholesale and retail level. I routinely charged 25% at the retail level than I did at the wholesale level. The margins may be different in the photo business. That is about the most honest opinion I know how to provide. Edit: I see FICA does not apply but maybe VAT does. Consider your legal costs.

03-06-2011, 04:19 AM	#6
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by CWyatt 3 hours post-processing That's 9min on average per image for 20 images, not including initial culling. I guess I'd need more than that for three hours worth of shooting, but it of course depends on the shooting situations and how polished the images need to be.