I recently did an on-location shoot on the grounds of a religious organization. It was sort of by accident (I was visiting there), but they saw the photos and really want to buy them from me to use in promoting their cause (print, Internet, multi-media.) I probably shot for about an hour and processed for about 2-3 hours (did one at a time in this case.) There are about 70 high-resolution digital images and I don't know how much to charge for them. One friend said $100 per image, which seems REALLY high to me. I don't want to overprice them, but also don't want to sell myself short. I'm wondering since it's "commercial" should I just charge a "day rate" and that INCLUDES all the images and the copyright?

Also, they want me to put them to music and make a slideshow for use at a certain performer's concerts. I will probably use proshow gold for that. I know I need to not only charge for the images but also for my time. Does anyone have any feedback for me on any of this? I need to get back with them later today.

Thanks in advance...
lh

Sorry no one has responded yet.

I'm not the most experienced person on here and I'm sure that there are much wiser answers that others could give you but, I've done a little corporate stuff so I'll try...

I wouldn't give them the copyright. You could give them a release to use the images but you retain the ownership and all that jazz.

I would probably just make a round price including a certain number of images and my time because I like simplicity and pricing everything out per image and per hour can be tedious for you and them. Plus that way they can't pick and choose you to death.

I really appreciate the reply, Becka... I guess people don't want to reveal their pricing structures in this kind of setting but even general ideas help. I think I've decided on a price of $2200 for unlimited use of all 70 high res images (which will potentially be used in print, Internet and multi-media presentations), OR $50 per image. If they take all of them they're getting them for around $31 per image. Does this sound outlandish? Too cheap? I will retain the copyright and stipulate that their "unlimited" use is for that particular organization's purposes ONLY, which means they are non-transferable.

Also, I did some research on DVD presentations, i.e. what are people charging to make a custom show of photographs set to music. I was really surprised to see how cheap some people are, but then realized that by and large most of the extremely inexpensive ones are just dumping a song and the images into a program and hitting sync. There's not much "custom" about it. In my case the organization would send me a collection of anywhere from 10-30 CD's and want me to select songs that would underscore the visual message being presented. This would include coming up with a concept, mapping a visual succession of contrasting images, and writing text for transitions and/or impact. Someone suggested $1500. I was thinking more like $500-$700, though I'm not sure that would be compensating me enough for my creative input and time.

Thoughts, anyone?

Hi Laura.
I wish I could help, but I am in the same boat as you. I am just starting out and am really trying to figure out what I should price my portrait packages at. I think I want to make the money on the front end and charge for the session + editing + disc of high resolution images. I'm really conflicted as to what to start pricing at since I am starting out.

However, I think your pricing is fair. Well I guess.. If YOU think they are fair, then they are fair. It is your work.

Thanks, Frances. Looked at your website and LOVE the cats!!

Thanks! I did another batch of cats today for the shelter. I love working with animals and hopefully my pet photography business will take off!
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