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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
What should I charge?

bc
User

Jul 19, 2005, 4:53 PM

Post #1 of 9 (1361 views)
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What should I charge?	Can't Post

I've just been offered to do a wedding video shoot late next Fall for a guy's 50th Anniversary. But the guy also wants to pay me to take still photos at the reception. I explained to him that I don't have the equipment or the experience of doing professional photography, but he just wants candid shots after the ceremony and during the reception, which I would do with my Canon Rebel XT. (Also note, I will be taking photo classes this Fall)

So if I take on this photo job, what do you suggest I charge? Because I'm seeking experience and am wanting to build a portfolio, I would do it for next to nothing, but hey, I'm not going to pass up money when it's being offered.

Believe me, I told the guy three times that I could refer him to a still photographer, but he said he didn't really need professional shots, for he and his wife have collected many portrait shots over the years. I'm not trying to take away jobs from professionals like yourself, but I am seeking to become one myself.

I would appreciate any feedback in terms of what I should consider in charging him for the digital photo shots.

thanks.
P.S. Though I don't have a lot of equipment, I'm thinking I should at least add an external flash for this shoot. I'm not happy with the on-camera flash.
___________________________________________________________
Canon GL2, Canon Rebel XT, Mac OS X, Mac G4, Final Cut Express, iMoiveHD,

mapparty
Novice

Jul 24, 2005, 5:16 PM

Post #2 of 9 (1325 views)
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Re: [bc] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you want some experience and really don't want to charge him much, just charge him for copies of any images he wants to by. If possible post them online somewhere like smugmug where you can dictate the price per reprint. Give him a link to the web page and anyone can use the site to buy copies.

Beverly
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Jul 25, 2005, 12:52 AM

Post #3 of 9 (1307 views)
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Re: [bc] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Are you hired to video his reception? If you are I would probably charge him an extra $100-$200 then a cost per photo he wanted. Or just burn him a CD of photos and he can do it himself.
Don't be afraid to ask for extra money for photography. Granted you are already going to be there but now you will be expected to do your video job that you were originally paid to do and also act as photographer. It can be tricky depending on your shooting style.

bc
User

Jul 25, 2005, 10:37 AM

Post #4 of 9 (1294 views)
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Re: [Beverly] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, I ended up charging him $300 for the still photo shoot and then I'm going to post the picks on Shutterbug.com and sell them from there. I get profit from the sells. I agreed to give him a CD copy of the photos. Probably shouldn't have done that, but hey I'm getting some experience.

BTW, I did some still shots in between video shoots on a wedding this weekend. I didn't have an external flash. Would appreciate feedback on these candid shots:

http://homepage.mac.com/ldvp/PhotoAlbum12.html

Be easy on me, these are my first wedding photo shots. I will be taking a classes this Fall.

Thanks
___________________________________________________________
Canon GL2, Canon Rebel XT, Mac OS X, Mac G4, Final Cut Express, iMoiveHD,

Beverly
User

Jul 25, 2005, 11:14 AM

Post #5 of 9 (1291 views)
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Re: [bc] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Were you the primary photographer on these photos or were you piggybacking the photographer?

bc
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Jul 25, 2005, 4:17 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1274 views)
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Re: [Beverly] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh definitely piggybacking the photographer. I never even asked in the portrait shots for the subjects to look my way except on a few occasions when the photographer was changing lenses or something.

So anyway, I was just practicing with my camera and seeing what I could do and where I need to improve.
___________________________________________________________
Canon GL2, Canon Rebel XT, Mac OS X, Mac G4, Final Cut Express, iMoiveHD,

Beverly
User

Jul 25, 2005, 10:34 PM

Post #7 of 9 (1257 views)
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Re: [bc] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congratulations on your first wedding pics. I really don't have much to comment on since you were piggybacking the photographer. I will be more than happy to critique the next set of photos you do on your own.
Glad to see you are practicing with your camera that is very important. Get comfortable using it in manual mode. Do not rely on automatic settings. One thing you might want to consider is going in to the city at night an photographing people. Photography movement in low light can be tricky if you are not use to it. Along with photography school (which I am glad to hear that you are attending) check out photographers websites, read every book you can get your hands on, get on every forum you can these are all great sources to learn from. Also you might be able to apprentice with an experienced photographer. This is actually the best hands on experience you can get with out diving head first into wedding photography.

The only comments I can provide on the photographs that you took were they were clean images. They did need extra lighting but, I understand you not having that. However, if you are going to do wedding photography you NEED a light kit(unless you can assure yourself that all of your weddings will be outside in the daytime on a beautiful day. In a well lit area). Some of the shots that I think you posed were nice however a rule of thumb is never shoot into someones crotch(photo of groom sitting on a step with his legs open to the camera not the most flattering pose.) Also when photographing one or two subjects turn the camera vertical unless you are wanting to expose the background. You do not want a lot of negetive space ie a beige wall. Remember to use rules of thirds just like in video. It creates a since of motion and less like a mug shot. I can't comment on your posing and your eye at this time. However will be glad to after another shoot.

Good luck.

bc
User

Jul 26, 2005, 12:38 PM

Post #8 of 9 (1246 views)
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Re: [Beverly] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Beverly,

Thanks for your thoughtful response.

For the most part I followed the photographers lead on the poses, including the groom sitting the crotch open position. But I didn't notice that until you made that excellent point.

Also concur about the negative space. I'll keep that in mind. Personally I wasn't too happy about the mural behind the portrait shots--thought it was way too busy. But that's only place we could shoot, though it would have been better to get shots outdoors. The wedding was in Lake Tahoe and it was all too rush, rush. I felt like I was shooting a wedding ceremony factory. They must of had at least 5 weddings during the time I was there.
I think you get the best video or photography in rushed wedding like that.

Also, I'm very much looking forward to taking classes, because though i have a handful of photography books and am a member of several photo websites, I really need some structured assignments and feedback to get a handle on still photography.

So thanks again for your feedback. I will reflect on your comments as I look over the photographs again.

Do you happen to have photographs posted? Would love to see your work.
___________________________________________________________
Canon GL2, Canon Rebel XT, Mac OS X, Mac G4, Final Cut Express, iMoiveHD,

Beverly
User

Jul 26, 2005, 11:49 PM

Post #9 of 9 (1216 views)
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Re: [bc] What should I charge? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I personally don't like the rushed weddings. I like for things to be relaxed and enjoyable.
I just emailed you my website link. Check out the photos if you would like if you have any questions feel free to ask.