ARTWORK PHOTOGRAPHY
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- traut
I have a bunch of artist friends that want me to shoot their work for online + print portfolios.
I'm not sure what is standard for this - hourly or per piece and with either what is a reasonable rate for shooting artwork ?
any suggestions ?
- bigtrick0
i like charging not-hourly, as then the client feels comfortable that i'm doing the best job, not stalling for time, and conversely i can take my time and shoot everything well without the client watching the clock and trying to hurry me up.
as for rates, that's completely up to you and your friends. is one of your friends jeff koons? if so, your rate is $5000 per piece plus expenses. if it's your little sister, your rate is $5 per piece (:
- bjladams0
how big are the pieces? will they fit on a drum scanner?
- Kiino0
The standard is, there is no standard. It's all sliding scale, but don't sell yourself short. If they keep trying to pressure you down in rate, make sure you include pieces of art as a partial trade. A good starting point as bigtrick mentioned, would be to factor in what their art is selling for.
- traut0
Its a variety of levels of art - but I am trying to create a basic rate since I know if I shoot one or 5 they will all want that price etc etc. Some of them are selling pieces for 2-3 hundred others in the 1,000 - some of the pieces are sculpture others are 5x6 ft paintings - I know some of the pieces I will have to take multiple shots and piece together which I will charge for each shot + an editing fee. Just trying to get some feedback - I was thinking somewhere between 5-10 per piece.
- bigtrick0
that seems low...
- bigtrick0
since they are your friends, you could try something like $30/piece, but only if it sells.
(i dread dealing with friends professionally, as you're then obligated to calculate how much of a monetary discount you owe due to the friendship, so i always end up massively undercharging them so as not to hurt anyone's feelings)
- Kiino0
I have some friends who actually want to pay me more than or the same as my usual fees particularly because we're friends. Of course I've had the opposite expectation too (free to cheap). What I'm saying is that the "friends & family discount" doesn't necessarily have to be part of the equation every time.
Usually I do a combo fee structure...a session/creative fee so that I'm covered for my setup and shoot day, equipment investment, keeping the lights on, etc. Then I have a per image charge so that if they ask me to process & deliver 40+ images or something which takes another day or two out of my life, then I'm covered for that too.
Whatever you end up doing, be fair & realistic to both your client AND yourself.
- vaxorcist0
sizes matter.. i.e. if there are a number of completely different sized works, you will have to do more testing and moving of lights.... Reflections matter, if there are small objects made of glossy surfaces, you will have to do alot more testing and moving of stuff.....
If the works are all almost the same size and shape and reflectivity, then it should be easier.... and hence possibly cheaper... otherwise it should cost more, as glossy objects take more time....
you might charger per work + per variation in lighting
- maikel0
judging on what you posted I guess you are not a professional photographer. Rates may vary, but people pay 5-10 for a car-wash or a kebab.
Artwork photography usually requires a studio, lights, a decent camera and post production... and your time.
My way of doing business with friends is (a) full fare, and I drop in some freebies or (b) free but they can't complain if it takes me ages or I don't deliver because I'm busy or I can't be bothered.
If you charge cheap and your friends are not that close, you will feel abused if they get picky. Or you will regret if another project (or a good plan) gets in the way and you can't take it.
Also nobody will pay you a decent rate from then on.
Anyway, it's up to you boss...