What to charge??

WingsOfLovePhoto

I got asked to take pictures at a formal event for a hospital. It would just include pictures of honoree's and their families, table pictures, pictures of the award ceremony and candids at the cocktail party. It involves travel of about 45mins from my house each way and would probably take about 3 -4 hours to complete not to mention PP. What are you all charging for functions such as these?? Thanks in advance for any responses!

Art Scott

I base 99% of all my event work on my wedding prices....why ....well time is time and your going to be there for the length of a standard short to medium length wedding......so I would start with asking at least 75% of my base wedding cost.....if you want to make things more interesting offer them and the honorees medium sized coffee table books (like 9x12 or 10x10) and try to stay away from loose pics of the 4x6 to 5x7 size......give prices for 8x10,11x14 and 16x20.........if this is a raised stage then try to situate yourself on a similar level to the awards stage so as to not shoot up the noses of the honorees and awards presenters....most venues that have raised stages can provide you with a 2x4' platform and a set of steps to get you the correct height.

WingsOfLovePhoto

Thanks so much for the advice Art!!

davidweaver

WingsOfLovePhoto wrote:

Thanks so much for the advice Art!!

Art has good advice, but I'll go for a much lower price...say $40-50 hour as you will then get the gig (assuming you are profecient)

This way you will most likely get the gig. get experience, and make some money too (unless you drive a Hummer).

I recently bid a job at a tremendous discount (but still very profitable) and I got it. Now I'll be making XXX a day and working for 3 days instead of the guy that bid XXXX a day and is sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.

I'm not undercutting the market. I know my costs and can price profitably. THAT IS IMPORTANT.

Shadou

davidweaver wrote:

Art has good advice, but I'll go for a much lower price...say $40-50 hour as you will then get the gig (assuming you are profecient)

This way you will most likely get the gig. get experience, and make some money too (unless you drive a Hummer).

I recently bid a job at a tremendous discount (but still very profitable) and I got it. Now I'll be making XXX a day and working for 3 days instead of the guy that bid XXXX a day and is sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.

I'm not undercutting the market. I know my costs and can price profitably. THAT IS IMPORTANT.

$40-$50 an hour?? Now that is just downright terrible advice to be giving to any other photographer. Going lower doesn't mean that he will for sure get the gig. In the minds of a client, they will sometimes think that a low price = poor quality work. I would never hire a photographer whose rates are that low. Unless the photgrapher is so desperate for money, you should be confident enough with your work and know what your market is like.

What I would charge is nothing less than $350/hr. That is my lowest rate for event, minimum of two hours, with my 1/2 day rates at $800. And I just raised my rates recently which has brought me more work than what I was charging before. If you produce quality work, know your market, and know how to properly brand yourself, there is nothing wrong with charging more. Having to travel 45 min one way, do a three hour shoot, edit the photos, drive 45 min back all for the price you have quoted at $40/hr will have the photographer pocketing next to nothing...

Just my thoughts...good day.