Been offered my first freelance photography job - now what?
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm new to this situation so I wondered if I could call upon experience of others here.
Basically I offered to do a job for free (in order to build up a portfolio to get better jobs later), and showed examples of my work (candid street shots mostly). The description of the job was very vague in the advert. They said yes but when they revealed the exact details of the job it sounded a bit much. It's a children's book basically showing how a child lives in this culture (I'm in Japan), which is set to be published in a few languages around the world. I'm guessing they are doing a few in different countries and it's to show off a online learning course (I'm being contracted by a American university).
Anyway, they wanted 28 very different photos, and multiple angles/exposures/etc to choose from them, from the child at home on a computer, to going out to the shop and buying eggs from a man (not a woman, that sort of specific), to being walked down the street with his mother.
I was expecting something to do one quiet afternoon, but the job is clearly bigger than that, so I said I don't have the time to do it for free. They said they decided on me because of my photos rather than because I was the cheapest, so what fee do I charge.
This is where I'm stuck. The original advert said it was low budget and they could offer $20 an hour. So I said $20 an hour sounds fair, or we could agree on a set price for the entire thing, although didn't specify a price as I don't know how long this will take as it's new to me.
Is there any other questions I should be asking? They want the job done this week I believe. I said I would do editing as well to ensure they are good enough for a book.
Anyone else have insights for this sort of job?
I'm new to this situation so I wondered if I could call upon experience of others here.
Basically I offered to do a job for free (in order to build up a portfolio to get better jobs later), and showed examples of my work (candid street shots mostly). The description of the job was very vague in the advert. They said yes but when they revealed the exact details of the job it sounded a bit much. It's a children's book basically showing how a child lives in this culture (I'm in Japan), which is set to be published in a few languages around the world. I'm guessing they are doing a few in different countries and it's to show off a online learning course (I'm being contracted by a American university).
Anyway, they wanted 28 very different photos, and multiple angles/exposures/etc to choose from them, from the child at home on a computer, to going out to the shop and buying eggs from a man (not a woman, that sort of specific), to being walked down the street with his mother.
I was expecting something to do one quiet afternoon, but the job is clearly bigger than that, so I said I don't have the time to do it for free. They said they decided on me because of my photos rather than because I was the cheapest, so what fee do I charge.
This is where I'm stuck. The original advert said it was low budget and they could offer $20 an hour. So I said $20 an hour sounds fair, or we could agree on a set price for the entire thing, although didn't specify a price as I don't know how long this will take as it's new to me.
Is there any other questions I should be asking? They want the job done this week I believe. I said I would do editing as well to ensure they are good enough for a book.
Anyone else have insights for this sort of job?
TalkPhotography always bring up some price list which is basically $1m for every photo...
If they offered $20 an hour, and you're happy to do it for that - then isn't that the answer? You get the portfolio and get paid something, and they get some great shots?
You can then decide for the next assignment how you'd like to charge.
If they offered $20 an hour, and you're happy to do it for that - then isn't that the answer? You get the portfolio and get paid something, and they get some great shots?
You can then decide for the next assignment how you'd like to charge.
I'd agree with that, too. It's easy to get greedy when people start offering money, but if you stretch much beyond that "agreed" pricing structure then they'll just find someone else. You don't want to undersell yourself, but I'd do the first five shots and work out your costs (travel, shooting and editing time), then take it from there. Provided you're not out of pocket, a first commission is always good for the portfolio no matter how much you were paid.
OK thanks for the replies. They got back to me and accepted $20/hour and will pay transport too, so I shouldn't be out of pocket, unless I accidentally buy another lens before I start shooting...
I only have 2 now. A wide angle (14-28) and a nifty fifty, may need something longer for this job.
I'm using the tactic of jumping in at the deep end currently and hoping for the best
I only have 2 now. A wide angle (14-28) and a nifty fifty, may need something longer for this job.
I'm using the tactic of jumping in at the deep end currently and hoping for the best
Xaero said:
This is where I'm stuck. The original advert said it was low budget and they could offer $20 an hour. So I said $20 an hour sounds fair, or we could agree on a set price for the entire thing, although didn't specify a price as I don't know how long this will take as it's new to me.
Make sure you factor in processing time. That could easily take another 3-4 hours depending on how many shots you have to go through. I do some event photography and it always takes me longer than I expect to process them after.Whenever anyone asks me about fees for photography, the first place I point them to is this:
http://www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/index.php...
It's the NUJ's freelance fees guide and a good starting point for anyone.
http://www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/index.php...
It's the NUJ's freelance fees guide and a good starting point for anyone.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff