Pricing Help

USAIR · July 21, 2005

A local (Cincinnati area) art company has contacted me to buy one of my photos.
I checked them out and seem to be a good reputable company.

My question is what to charge?
The photo will be used once to decorate a client’s office.
They prefer to have the digital file...they may give me a statement (contract) for the one time use of file.
This company would rather use their printer.

My thinking on part of this is this may open some doors for my photos and me.
The person I talked to says they are always looking for photos of Cincinnati and Northern Ky.

Anyone have any help on this?

Thanks
Fred

gluwater · July 21, 2005

I have absolutely no experience on this subject, just thougth I'd say congratulations and I hope this leads to more sales of your pics.

Nick

JimM · July 21, 2005

Sounds like great news. Send us a link to the pic! For one office, single use, you could be anywhere from $50-$1000. I would try for $250 if I were you.

Angelo · July 21, 2005

do some research by pricing a piece of commercial photgraphy as if you were the client.... I often buy at: www.gettyone.com

That will give you a very good idea. Prices for a digital file (one time use contract should be mandatory!!!) can range from $99 to $599, depending on the artist and the file size.

USAIR · July 22, 2005

Thanks Everyone
This helps me very much
Great link Angelo have to check out this sight a little more.

Here's the photo ...I don't think it's my best but I quit trying to figure that stuff a long time ago

Thanks
Fred

Shay Stephens · July 22, 2005

This scenario is covered in the book "Pricing Photography" third edition by Michal Heron and David Mactavish. The exhibit fee for a single print with one time, non exclusive rights ranges from $500 to $700.

These are only guides, and you need to determine pricing that makes sense for you and your market. But it at least is a place to start. The book has info that helps you negotiate prices and determine what you should be charging. I recommend it to all photographers.

Angelo · July 22, 2005

USAIR wrote:

This helps me very much
Great link Angelo have to check out this sight a little more.
Thanks
Fred

Fred - I've done a little checking for you...

I've searched this Cincinnati picture (oops I forgot the photog's name) and got pricing at $715 for: 300dpi, 30mb, usage: wall decor, 1 print, USA, 5 years (options vary)

USAIR · July 22, 2005

Shay
I will have to head to Barns and Noble to pick up this book
Thank you for your help

Fred

USAIR · July 22, 2005

Angelo

Angelo wrote:

Fred - I've done a little checking for you...

I've searched this Cincinnati picture (oops I forgot the photog's name) and got pricing at $715 for: 300dpi, 30mb, usage: wall decor, 1 print, USA, 5 years (options vary)

I been looking around too and it looks like the prices range quite a bit
Near as I can figure this company paid a well known photographer from this area around $500 for a shot like this.
But I have seen also an amateur made $100 from this company for a shot.

I talked to them today they told me that my photos were fresh and they were tired of the same old photos of Cincy from the local pros

They want me to come meet the staff and bring some buisness cards(which been order for over a week and I still don't have) and go from there.

So it sounds good to me but we'll see.

Thanks for the help
Fred

Sam · July 23, 2005

USAIR wrote:

I been looking around too and it looks like the prices range quite a bit
Near as I can figure this company paid a well known photographer from this area around $500 for a shot like this.
But I have seen also an amateur made $100 from this company for a shot.

I talked to them today they told me that my photos were fresh and they were tired of the same old photos of Cincy from the local pros

They want me to come meet the staff and bring some buisness cards(which been order for over a week and I still don't have) and go from there.

So it sounds good to me but we'll see.

Thanks for the help
Fred

I took a fast look at your photo site. You have some very nice photos there.

I don't have a business, but have found it advantages to have a small number of cards in my wallet. I just print them 8 up on photo paper as needed and cut them out by hand. So don't let the nondelivery of your cards slow you down.

Good luck,

Sam

USAIR · July 24, 2005

Sam
Yes it's a good idea to have a few cards so people can get in touch with you or just to visit your web site.

Thanks for your help

Fred

USAIR · July 24, 2005

When it rains it pours
Just got contacted by a local Ford dealer they want me to take photos of their race car.
I don't even know what type of car someone local told me it's a nascar type.
The lady I talked to wants me there Monday at 5:00 pm don't know if its outside or in a showroom?

I'll have to look around to see some other car shots
I am going to take a ladder to get overhead shots
Also take tripod and my flash

Anyone else have any ideas on what to take?
And charge?

Thanks
Fred

Nir · July 24, 2005

Fantastic Fred!! Need an accountant?

USAIR · July 24, 2005

Nir

Nir wrote:

Fantastic Fred!! Need an accountant?

Thanks Nir for the offer
But something tells me it's just a flash in the pan...but fun

Fred

Sam · July 25, 2005

USAIR wrote:

Just got contacted by a local Ford dealer they want me to take photos of their race car.
I don't even know what type of car someone local told me it's a nascar type.
The lady I talked to wants me there Monday at 5:00 pm don't know if its outside or in a showroom?

I'll have to look around to see some other car shots
I am going to take a ladder to get overhead shots
Also take tripod and my flash

Anyone else have any ideas on what to take?
And charge?

Thanks
Fred

Just off the top of my head, the ladder sounds good.

The flash however...........I don't know this for a fact....be warned....but wouldn't a flash create a lot of really bright reflection from chrome etc?

Sam

USAIR · July 29, 2005

Update
Well just thought I would give every one an update on this.

Sold the above photo for a *cheap* I think $200 to "get my foot in the door" .
And I think it did work ...they ask me to do some photos on some old cars they don't really care what kind.

I met with some of the people and gave out cards to all of them today.
So we will see.

The race car shoot was rescheduled for Aug 3 but that date is iffy.

Also received a call from an airfield lighting company

They have seen some of my airport shots and ask me to take photos of there products on the arifield.
They got my name (email really) from doing a google search on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport then found my airport photos.
I don't have many photos from the airport on the web site I'm always leary posting them.

Any comments are welcome this is all new to me (if I screwed up please tell me)
So any help would be appreciated

Thanks
Fred

mercphoto · July 29, 2005

USAIR wrote:

Just got contacted by a local Ford dealer they want me to take photos of their race car.
I don't even know what type of car someone local told me it's a nascar type.
The lady I talked to wants me there Monday at 5:00 pm don't know if its outside or in a showroom?

I'll have to look around to see some other car shots
I am going to take a ladder to get overhead shots
Also take tripod and my flash

And a circular polarizer. You might want the flash off-camera, so a cord to connect the two might be nice. And if using a tri-pod a remote shutter release is a good idea. I can't help you with pricing but hope others can.

USAIR · July 30, 2005

Bill

mercphoto wrote:

And a circular polarizer. You might want the flash off-camera, so a cord to connect the two might be nice. And if using a tri-pod a remote shutter release is a good idea. I can't help you with pricing but hope others can.

I plan on taking all you mentioned above.
I don't have a remote release but shutter speeds should be high enough.
Remote is on my wish list just haven't picked one up yet.

Thank you for the help I do appreciate it

Fred

GREAPER · July 30, 2005

USAIR wrote:

I plan on taking all you mentioned above.
I don't have a remote release but shutter speeds should be high enough.
Remote is on my wish list just haven't picked one up yet.

Thank you for the help I do appreciate it

Fred

If you dont have a cable release or remote, dont forget the cameras self timer. It can also be used for hands off tripod photography of a stationary object.

JimM · August 2, 2005

To shoot cars, typically giant softboxes are used. In your case, I would avoid the flash if you can, and use some natural light and use a couple of reflectors to fill in the shadows. If you must use the flash, use something to diffuse it. The old index card straight off the top would be useful here (even better if it is off the camera). If the car is outside, hope for an overcast day. If it is in the showroom (they usually have plenty of windows), try to use a reflector. A makeshift one with something to stretch a white sheet over should work fairly well.

Good Luck and make sure you post the pics!

USAIR · August 3, 2005

Greaper and Jim thank you for the help.

Well guess I do another update

The racecar was wrecked but they will call next week when it is fixed.
The lady I talked to is very excited about the shoot (me too) ..So I sure she will call.

Now for the airfield product shoot.
My employer says it would be a conflict of interest for me to do this.

Although I have access to the airfield when I am on the clock other times, I would have to have an escort to go on the airfield.
This costs big money.

Also thinking that I just might bring home a few airfield lights and shoot some like that.

One other option is to do the shoot during my shift and be paid by the airport but the airfield company would have to reimburse the airport for my time.
So not sure what I will do.

But I will sure post photos you everyone to see how I do.:D

Thanks
Fred

PalusMus · December 3, 2005

A little advice please
I just got an e-mail from a publishing company who wants to purchase one of my photos to use on the cover of a book. This is the photo they are interested in: http://palusmus.smugmug.com/gallery/518373
I have never sold a digital copy of a photo before so I don't know what I should charge. Is $250 an outrageous price to ask ?

Pricing Help

Comments