Extended Photo Gig - pricing question $$$ ???

[sockdaddy]

I'm looking for a quick guideline...

There is a new housing development that is currently being built around the corner from my house. I was casually taking pictures there the other day (for personal / documentary use) and I was approached by the site Foreman. I explained what I was up to, and he insisted that I come back whenever I want and take pictures of anything I saw fit!

When I came back the next time (a few days later) I bumped into him again and said that he mentioned my taking photos to the director of the development project, and they wanted to talk with me about taking more photos for them. Long story short, they would like a series of photos that shows the progression of the development and construction over the course of the project. They have asked me to submit a bid - however, there isn't anyone competing for the job.

I'm not sure what to bid as the rate for this project - the development is literally up the street from me, so there is no travel. I plan on taking (digital) photos of the ongoing project anyway as a personal exercise. The extent of the project may be ~1000 photos over the next 3-4 months (or more).

Because this is probably considered to be a non-professional gig (by the developer), I want to make sure that I quote them a fair, but low price.

I was thinking that $100/month might be fair - so $300-400 dollars for the project unless it goes longer. Is this a fair amount? Is it too high / too low?

Thanks for any comments or input - PMs are welcome.

 

[jan normandale]

Hi Sockdaddy

ask to sit down with them and find out what they want. They might want 1000 shots they might want 100 shots.

Price should be based on what they want so I would figure out a fee/hr for the labour and then tell them cost of materials plus 10 percent for travel and time getting the materials.

I would give them a couple of scenarios, base quote ; quote with work on the shots they select; quote for an extensive project of 1000 shots.

Frankly I think they will be able to tell you what they want but as the project advances they will probably alter. So have some flexibility in pricing to accomodate that. There are some good developers in VCR so it should be fun. You might want to keep the rights to the shots as well as release them to the company on the basis they are used only in relation to their real estate business. This would permit you to retain rights to the images for all other purposes.

 

[canonetc]

If suggest $1000.00. I suggest this price in case it is your first paying gig of this type. First clients can become long term.

Any developer worth his salt will know that $1000.00 for 3-4 months of photographic work is a GREAT deal.

C.

 

[Jason_K]

$100 is definitely too low. Canonetc's advise is pretty good and even $1000 for 3-4 months work may be low depending on what they intend to do with the images.

 

[sockdaddy]

thanks for the input so far

yes, this would be my first paying gig of this type (although i have done a little newspaper work and some other stuff). i'm concerned about coming back with a fee that would be perceived as too high. this meeting was definitely a very informal, chance discussion. i did explain that i had done some paid work before, but did not represent myself as a true "professional" photographer.

i want to make sure that i come back with a $ amount that is within their expectations, and that is fair considering the informal nature of the assignment.

i understand that depending on the number of images they would like me to produce, and the use of those images, that my fee should vary.

keep the comments coming! thanks.

 

[Pherdinand]

I think you should come up with three options to them directly, so they can get an idea of how much it would cost and what they can get, before they think that they are doing you a favour or such.
Forst option, just a smaller no. of documenting shots without extras, you do selection; cheap alternative; they use it once you keep all the rights and such.
Second option, a larger no. of shots where they can pick many that they like and do what they want with them but you still keep the right to do what you also want with the shots and you get payed on the time you spend.
Third option, most expensive, they tell you when and what you shoot for them, you give them everything you shoot and forget about the images. They pay you for your time and expenses, ask as much as you can.

 

[djon]

Don't undercut local pros if it seems the contractors would have hired them if you'd not materialized. Thirty years ago the minimum ethical (photo association) *day* rate quoted in Northern California was $200...you certainly shouldn't ask less than $50 just to arrive at the site, without even talking about photography and film, and your 8X10 prints should certainly not be sold for less than $10-20 each. If you're delivering CDs or files some other logic prevails on the deliverable, but don't give them cheap enlargements.

 

[sockdaddy]

my feeling is ( although i have no way of confirming w/o asking) is that they are not considering hiring a dedicated, professional photographer for this assignment. this definitely feels like a "right place, right time" kind of opportunity. which is why i was initially thinking about a lower fee to help cement the deal.

i had considered discussing rights and releases with them, and your comments seem to outline this topic very well.

regarding the final product, the only thing that was discussed was that the project would be shop digitally (they were also very curious about my digi-cam that day). photos will be delivered in maximum resolution (and maybe alternative, compressed resolution) on a CD or DVD. we have not discussed whether they would like these delivered monthly, or at the end of the project. we have also not discussed (but will when we meet again) how payment should occur - upon completion, 50/50, etc.

any more ideas / comments?

 

[djon]

One thing to remember: no matter how cheap you get, somebody else is cheaper. Same on the upside. And you have no idea what they consider cheap or expensive, so IMO you should avoid inventing prices until you've spoken with established professionals in your community.

If you're doing weekly progress surveys you might want to charge a weekly flat rate fee...IMO you shouldn't deliver ANY 4X6 prints, only CDs with a few representative 8.5X11s (to make it seem less like what they'd do themselves). Your goal should probably include providing a folio of select photos when the project is finished. You might also want to hang on to any negatives and apply a "copyright 2005" stamp on whatever you deliver...etc.