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**dansaa** · 03-12-2008 05:23 PM

Someone just called me right now from picking up my card somewhere!

They own a landscape company and want me to take pictures of their finished landscapes so they can put them on their web site.

I'll be meeting up with them tomorrow to check out the first landscape job.

I quoted him $100 per session on the phone because that's what my web site says. But I have a question; I don't want to scare them away and say $100 every time I come out and take pictures. Should I say like $100 for 2 locations or should I just stick to my guns and charge the $100 per session?

I'm used to shooting people so I'm not sure how to handle this one.

Any help would be very appreciated!

PS
I did a little research and here are their past pictures:
http://dreamworkco.com/showroom/

**Stime187** · 03-12-2008 05:28 PM

I would just define how long a "session" is in terms of both photographing and processing/leg work, then just record your time and make it that many sessions. Or every time you go to shoot, spend a "session".

**dansaa** · 03-12-2008 05:36 PM

^

I was looking through their gallery and for each project, there are a lot of pictures. I'm thinking if I equal 1 location as 1 session, $100 isn't too much to ask. With the processing and driving to each location.

**Stime187** · 03-12-2008 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by dansaa

^

I was looking through their gallery and for each project, there are a lot of pictures. I'm thinking if I equal 1 location as 1 session, $100 isn't too much to ask. With the processing and driving to each location.

I actually think $100 would be too little to ask with that amount of shots. You're looking at only a couple bucks per shot. But then again, if you can make it work for that amount, you should be able to easily make it happen.

It'd be nice to know what the first photog charged.

**thomps6s** · 03-12-2008 05:52 PM

I was going to say the same thing as ^

$100 seems exxxxxxxxxtremely reasonable, I would say, a steal.
My guess is they come back with a quick OK, lets do this.

**dmitchell** · 03-12-2008 05:56 PM

I don't know a lot about the photography business but I do run my own commercial diving business.

Maybe this is a bad comparison but none the less:

When I get called out even for a simple job like to cut a line out of a propeller (5 minutes). It takes an hour to get setup and get to the site, at least 45 minutes on site even if it's only 5 minutes in the water, and then an hour post for cleaning gear, refilling tanks etc. So I'm in for about 3 hours for a simple project.

I've got thousands invested in gear, and am very good at what I do. I don't work for free, I expect to get paid for all of my time invested in the project and I am going to make a profit on that as well. That's why I'm in business.

You have an investment in time and money in your photo gear and your skills. If you're in the photography business you should expect to make money and not feel guilty about charging a fair price.

I guarantee that the landscape guy makes good money and your photos are hopefully going to make him more.

Stick to your price per session, time is money.

DM

**dansaa** · 03-12-2008 05:57 PM

I meet with them tomorrow. I told them that $100 is only a quote until I actually see what I will be shooting. Looks like I will be handing over at least 30 processed pictures of a location. I also quoted him before I saw their web site. I'm used to people emailing me so I can do my research beforehand! ha ha.

Would it be tacky to charge more after I meet them and see what I would actually be shooting? I guess that's what a quote is, though.

**Stime187** · 03-12-2008 05:59 PM

Not at all. Simply ask how many shots they are interested in and say that was more than you'd anticipated and your price will reflect that.

**dansaa** · 03-12-2008 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by dmitchell

I don't know a lot about the photography business but I do run my own commercial diving business...

This actually does help. Thanks for the comparison!

**CJimenez** · 03-12-2008 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by dansaa

This actually does help. Thanks for the comparison!

I am sooo excited for you!! You have NO IDEA!!!

**VicRSTi** · 03-12-2008 08:05 PM

My friend and I did an analysis on how much it would cost for us to actually go do a job to get an idea of how much we should be charging.

Figure out how much it would cost you to drive there, charge your batteries, processing time, etc, and charge accordingly.

**dansaa** · 03-13-2008 02:07 PM

So for an update, I haven't heard from them.

They emailed me after we got off the phone yesterday to give me the address of where to meet and said they would be calling this morning to set a time.

I wrote back to confirm that I got the email. I also wrote back this morning at 9 to make sure we were still on for today because they said someone would be available to meet between 8 and 12.

Oh well, if $100 scared them off, I wouldn't want to take the job anyway!

**Juanita** · 03-13-2008 02:38 PM

^Exactly!! Just like with everything else, people like to browse and shop around until they find the cheaper price. However, sometimes they miss out on quality too. Give it some time!

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