Hourly rate for corporate event photography?

[Joe Tam]

Hi,

I was asked by event coordinator of a large clothing company in New York City about my hourly rate to cover events and town halls. He saw me at another event and loved the event work on my site.

He asked for my hourly rate for events lasting 2-6 hours. What pricing structure do you charge and is there a minimum amount of hours you bill for? Should I counter by first asking them what their budget is?

Do you have different rates for the first couple of hours in case the event is only 2 hours?

What is your post-processing fee per hour?

Do you charge separately for national/international usage?

Do you charge differently for different events or charge a flat fee for every event?

Some have more degree of difficulty such as a corporate headshot session so I am careful to just name one price.

What kind of words do you use not to lock yourself into that rate?

I have 20 years experience in the news business as an employee and I am transitioning to more corporate work. I also specialize in portraiture and own my own lighting equipment. I find it refreshing to do event work as it is a nice change from the news business.

Thanks.

 

[p0ppyman]

Great question. I am just starting to build my rate sheet. I am transitioning from a technology worker to a photography worker over the next 22 months. Right now my thinking is my hourly rate is my hourly rate independent of the type of photography. I may choose to discount my hourly rate for the sale if things are slow, or doing the event may create other marketing opportunities to sell my service, but my hourly rate will remain constant. As to post processing and printing costs I know the time it takes me typically based upon the type of image, as well as what my printing materials cost. I know what my overhead is (power, space, healthcare, business cards, association fees, consumables, advertising, etc.) which needs to be added into my hourly rate. The overhead costs don't necessarily go down based upon the type of event. Anyway being 22 months out from when I really ramp up my efforts to sell my service this is my current thinking. I am building a business plan and budget model now which I will tweak as I get closer to my goal of completing my transition.

 

[oldfashioned]

I'll probably sound boring to the majority of the amateurs and enthusiasts in this pro forum but I can't stress enough the need of being represented.

Your Agent will negotiate this (career changing) new market for you.

And congrats for the gig. They loved your web site presentation of a similar production, and that's a huge selling point for you.

All the best

 

[oldfashioned]

Great question. I am just starting to build my rate sheet. I am transitioning from a technology worker to a photography worker over the next 22 months. Right now my thinking is my hourly rate is my hourly rate independent of the type of photography. I may choose to discount my hourly rate for the sale if things are slow, or doing the event may create other marketing opportunities to sell my service, but my hourly rate will remain constant. As to post processing and printing costs I know the time it takes me typically based upon the type of image, as well as what my printing materials cost. I know what my overhead is (power, space, healthcare, business cards, association fees, consumables, advertising, etc.) which needs to be added into my hourly rate. The overhead costs don't necessarily go down based upon the type of event. Anyway being 22 months out from when I really ramp up my efforts to sell my service this is my current thinking. I am building a business plan and budget model now which I will tweak as I get closer to my goal of completing my transition.

I like your plan but there are two "things" missing: a studio and a representation. Those are the most important "things" in this business. Without it you'll risk to stay in the part-time week-end warrior for a long time.

But just remember: free/cheap work will only bring more cheap/free work.

 

[p0ppyman]

Great question. I am just starting to build my rate sheet. I am transitioning from a technology worker to a photography worker over the next 22 months. Right now my thinking is my hourly rate is my hourly rate independent of the type of photography. I may choose to discount my hourly rate for the sale if things are slow, or doing the event may create other marketing opportunities to sell my service, but my hourly rate will remain constant. As to post processing and printing costs I know the time it takes me typically based upon the type of image, as well as what my printing materials cost. I know what my overhead is (power, space, healthcare, business cards, association fees, consumables, advertising, etc.) which needs to be added into my hourly rate. The overhead costs don't necessarily go down based upon the type of event. Anyway being 22 months out from when I really ramp up my efforts to sell my service this is my current thinking. I am building a business plan and budget model now which I will tweak as I get closer to my goal of completing my transition.

I like your plan but there are two "things" missing: a studio and a representation.

Thank you for the like. I do have a studio space. I am using my studio space to build my portfolio. I am only sharing my portfolio with respondents to modeling casting call ads I place on craigslist. It seems to be working because I am getting females to come in for shoots. Granted most have little if any modeling experience so I do trade for print with them. I paid one model because I needed to add blonde hair to my portfolio. I have been shooting mostly Asian females. She was great actually. A plain look but in a beautiful way, great at posing and a very expressive face. Before our shoot she was on a paid gig at UC Berkeley posing for a drawing class.

At some point in the future as the portfolio quality improves and I have more time I will use it to market/represent my services. While I am getting a good flow of models, since I work full time I am limited to weekends and turning around the photos quickly is a challenge. But this is the way it goes right now and I am mostly focused on learning and improving my studio work. I will start adding some environmental work to my portfolio over the next few months.

So I totally agree representation is important and I expect at the right point I will look to make that connection. I am in gorilla mode doing mostly trade for print but there will be an inflection point where that changes. Actually I tell people my hourly rate is $150 / hr but I am providing a 100% discount right now. I have 22 more months to go at which time I will do an assessment and determine next steps. The options are my work is of sufficient quality where I can generate a steady revenue stream, or I say nah best that I just grab the wife and hop in my motorhome and see the USA taking pictures for my personal pleasure along the way. Time will tell but I will not know which road I travel until I get there.

Thanks again!

 

[NottsPhoto]

Hi,

I was asked by event coordinator of a large clothing company in New York City about my hourly rate to cover events and town halls. He saw me at another event and loved the event work on my site.

He asked for my hourly rate for events lasting 2-6 hours. What pricing structure do you charge and is there a minimum amount of hours you bill for? Should I counter by first asking them what their budget is?

Do you have different rates for the first couple of hours in case the event is only 2 hours?

What is your post-processing fee per hour?

Do you charge separately for national/international usage?

Do you charge differently for different events or charge a flat fee for every event?

Some have more degree of difficulty such as a corporate headshot session so I am careful to just name one price.

What kind of words do you use not to lock yourself into that rate?

I have 20 years experience in the news business as an employee and I am transitioning to more corporate work. I also specialize in portraiture and own my own lighting equipment. I find it refreshing to do event work as it is a nice change from the news business.

Thanks.

The first thing you should be doing is Some market research into the rates and structures being charged by your local competition... As a newbie you will have to be price concious to attract clients until you can prove yourself, but you don't want to be El cheapo... you don't want to compete on price per se.

You should also think about how you can make the process simple, so you should have a clear and transperant licencing model as well...

Your local market conditions will again guide you to client expectations... don't upset those and create barriers, but do think about how you can shape your offer to be competitive within those limits...

FYI, we have a 1 hour rate, a 2 hour rate, a half day rate, and a full day rate.

We include a reasonable amount of post production within those rates, basically the same amount of time again.. so the rates reflect that. There is not much appetite locally for additional post production charges.

On the one hour rate there is also a "PR" rate... so if it's simple PR gig that is say, half an hour, it's a bit cheaper and reflective of the local PR photo market which tends to be one Man band ex local paper types or part timers... so we don't want to give them a free ride... (our rates tend to be on the upper end locally... a reflection of our service levels... )

We have a seperate Editorial rate card that is a reflection of those markets rates... all of the above are corporate rates... Corporate work we provide with a fully released licence allowing any use... (we price accordingly ) editorial is more specific to the title, who also will determine the rates... we work for national and international blue chip outlets, such as the Sunday Times, Der Speigel, Time, etc... we don't do local editorial work.

 

[photolando]

Hi,

I was asked by event coordinator of a large clothing company in New York City about my hourly rate to cover events and town halls. He saw me at another event and loved the event work on my site.

He asked for my hourly rate for events lasting 2-6 hours. What pricing structure do you charge and is there a minimum amount of hours you bill for? Should I counter by first asking them what their budget is?

Do you have different rates for the first couple of hours in case the event is only 2 hours?

What is your post-processing fee per hour?

Do you charge separately for national/international usage?

Do you charge differently for different events or charge a flat fee for every event?

Some have more degree of difficulty such as a corporate headshot session so I am careful to just name one price.

What kind of words do you use not to lock yourself into that rate?

I have 20 years experience in the news business as an employee and I am transitioning to more corporate work. I also specialize in portraiture and own my own lighting equipment. I find it refreshing to do event work as it is a nice change from the news business.

Thanks.

You can ask what they have for a budget but sometimes they aren't willing to share that info. They may be looking at different photographers and deciding who is the best for the price they can work with.

I do have a 2 hour min. Now yes, some people have those first two hours a bit higher and then a lesser rate for additional. Some don't.

I charge the same no matter the event. However, some have repeat clients who they give a little discount to to assure future jobs with them. Trust me, if a large enough company likes you, they will pay for your travel to whatever city they are in next time. Even if there are plenty of event shooters in that other town. They'd rather spend the extra money on someone they know and trust.

Headshots at an event are probably easier than covering the event itself. I do them all the time. I could do headshots everyday. So no, I don't charge anymore. However, I do charge an equipment fee since it is extra equipment I don't usually use for just coverage. It usually equals about one hourly rate and for one day. Charged again for each additional day. Will you retouch the headshots? Will you just give them the files and let them do it themselves? Or offer it on a one to one bases? Charge additional for those who want it. But it can't be too much. It's not a custom studio headshot where you spend a lot of time on someone. I usually have about minute with my event headshots. Keep it simple. Both the lighting and retouching.

Just be sure they know what the rate covers. Will it include post production? It should (except the headshots). Your not going to give them raw images. So include it in the price. But be sure they know that. Parking is always different so that is a separate charge. Most of out hotel/resorts run about $20 a pop. NY may be a lot higher. Plus any travel if it's far enough. But if its in YOUR town, no travel charge.

Everything is negotiable. If your just starting event work, you may have to start with a lower rate just to get more jobs. But don't go too low or they will think your not serious. Here it runs anywhere from $125 to about $175 an hour. Again, NY may be a lot higher.

Also, I do many events where they want the images right after the event. They may have their own media/production staff who can work on the images. Even raw. I just did this for Ernst-Young. I get this a lot. Fine with me. Less work for me later. Sometimes they need the images for gag reels to show the goings one of the event the next morning at the general session. Or other reasons. You could charge a little less since your not doing any post work. Some do. Some don't. Or they may still want you to do pp work and only want some candids for the gag reel.

If I can help with anything, please feel free to message me. I shoot corporate events full time here in Orlando. Have for over 5 years now. 30 years commercial. I'm shooting for SAP for the next three days. HUGE event. HUGE company.

 

[BAK]

1/ I do not charge for the hour. I have a minimum fee, and half day and full day rates.

2/ Minimum $300

3/ Half day $800

4/ Full day $1500

5/ Big discussion point with client is what gets delivered. Never RAW files, never unedited JPEGS.

6/ Big discussion - what am I doing for those half days and days? Does it include editing?

7/ If it is an event, do we give prints to the people who attended? 100 prints, 4x6, and 20 cents each, is not much of an expense, but it takes hours to pick the frames, quickly process them, order them from some cheap lab, pick them up and sort them out.

Hope this is at least partly useful.

BAK

 

[Victor Engel]

I'll probably sound boring to the majority of the amateurs and enthusiasts in this pro forum but I can't stress enough the need of being represented.

Your Agent will negotiate this (career changing) new market for you.

And congrats for the gig. They loved your web site presentation of a similar production, and that's a huge selling point for you.

All the best

So that raises a new question: how do you find such a person?

 

[NottsPhoto]

I'll probably sound boring to the majority of the amateurs and enthusiasts in this pro forum but I can't stress enough the need of being represented.

Your Agent will negotiate this (career changing) new market for you.

And congrats for the gig. They loved your web site presentation of a similar production, and that's a huge selling point for you.

All the best

So that raises a new question: how do you find such a person?

 

[ashleymorrison]

He asked for my hourly rate for events lasting 2-6 hours.

Do you charge separately for national/international usage?

Since he is just asking you about your "hourly rate to cover events" here, then you may not need to provide him with anything afterwards.

But if he is expecting you to provide him with some images here, then you may now want to talk to him about what the fee would be for the Rights to use.

Cheers,
Ashley



ampimage.com

 

[oldfashioned]

So that raises a new question: how do you find such a person?

that's the most important part of the business. Like everybody else I did start negotiating myself. And it was a disaster most of the time. Now broadcast people have Unions, we have Agents. Not the same thing but still ...

How to find one or how they find you will be part of the practice as well. Can't help with a general guideline, nobody can.

 

[oldfashioned]

you can't. for most photographers getting an agent is utter folly.

if you want to be succesfull, you need to get out their and sell yourself, clients want to know the photographer, they want to connect. rates are so low, and competiton so intense, that giving a fee to an agent is a non starter.

by all means, when your name is "rankin" or "martin parr" then I'm sure you can sit back and have someone else do the hard graft of selling you, but starter photographers need to put that out of their mind... it's will lead them into wasting time trying to sell themselves to someone who will then sell them to their customer, ( and if they are not able to find that person, or that person is rubbish, they will not understand what it takes to actually sell themselves, ) instead of just selling to the end customer... plus the buyers now are different than 25 years ago... they want personal relationships... they expect direct contact... with the digitsation and online nature of the industry, it's much easier to get yourself seen and your material out.

photographers need to get out and make connections with their customers.

fine. do it yourself then.

But what you're describing is a little detached from reality : there are no "clients" , there are art directors, there are Agencies but the "Client" may not even care to know who the photographer is (Unless you are one of the few 4-5 stellar studios between Paris, London, New York and LA)

For all the others there is no "competition" but organization . Agencies (driving the vast majority of the commercial business) care about reliability more than anything. They have no time to waste on maybes. They want to talk to an Agent if possible.

And finally you are describing a wedding business, correct? which is fine, but commercial photography is not just weddings and Communions.

 

[NottsPhoto]

you can't. for most photographers getting an agent is utter folly.

if you want to be succesfull, you need to get out their and sell yourself, clients want to know the photographer, they want to connect. rates are so low, and competiton so intense, that giving a fee to an agent is a non starter.

by all means, when your name is "rankin" or "martin parr" then I'm sure you can sit back and have someone else do the hard graft of selling you, but starter photographers need to put that out of their mind... it's will lead them into wasting time trying to sell themselves to someone who will then sell them to their customer, ( and if they are not able to find that person, or that person is rubbish, they will not understand what it takes to actually sell themselves, ) instead of just selling to the end customer... plus the buyers now are different than 25 years ago... they want personal relationships... they expect direct contact... with the digitsation and online nature of the industry, it's much easier to get yourself seen and your material out.

photographers need to get out and make connections with their customers.

fine. do it yourself then.

Ive done so, for 35 years.

But what you're describing is a little detached from reality : there are no "clients" , there are art directors, there are Agencies but the "Client" may not even care to know who the photographer is (Unless you are one of the few 4-5 stellar studios between Paris, London, New York and LA)

well that's funny, cause ive got clients. Art directors, picture editors, marketing folks, all sorts of clients. The clients always want to know the photographer in my experience.

For all the others there is no "competition" but organization . Agencies (driving the vast majority of the commercial business) care about reliability more than anything. They have no time to waste on maybes. They want to talk to an Agent if possible.

And finally you are describing a wedding business, correct?

incorrect. never shot a wedding or b to c job in my life.

which is fine, but commercial photography is not just weddings and Communions.

Commercial photography is never about weddings and communions.

I think your not living in the real world of most modern photographers, certainly not the world here in the UK.

 

[NottsPhoto]

So that raises a new question: how do you find such a person?

that's the most important part of the business. Like everybody else I did start negotiating myself. And it was a disaster most of the time. Now broadcast people have Unions, we have Agents. Not the same thing but still ...

How to find one or how they find you will be part of the practice as well. Can't help with a general guideline, nobody can.

please, if agents are such a central part of the process, they must be easy to find, or at least known.... so point us in the right direction.

 

[oldfashioned]

cause ive got clients. Art directors, picture editors, marketing folks, all sorts of clients.

all sorts? Seriously?

ok. bye

 

[oldfashioned]

So that raises a new question: how do you find such a person?

that's the most important part of the business. Like everybody else I did start negotiating myself. And it was a disaster most of the time. Now broadcast people have Unions, we have Agents. Not the same thing but still ...

How to find one or how they find you will be part of the practice as well. Can't help with a general guideline, nobody can.

please, if agents are such a central part of the process, they must be easy to find, or at least known.... so point us in the right direction.

 

[BAK]

I think you read, and understood, the first two sentences, corectly.

It says >> I was asked by event coordinator of a large clothing company in New York City about my hourly rate to cover events and town halls. He saw me at another event and loved the event work on my site. <<

I'm not sure all the other contributors read well and understood properly..

There was an event co-ordinator who saw Mr. Tam's work, talked to him, and tried to find out how to hire him.

As you imply, the event coordinator will be the client.

Simple as that.

And the thread seems to be talking about a current, in the near future, project.

BAK

 

[BAK]

I found this sentence > I did start negotiating myself. And it was a disaster most of the time. < Really?

BAK

 

[Jacques Cornell]

Hi,

I was asked by event coordinator of a large clothing company in New York City about my hourly rate to cover events and town halls. He saw me at another event and loved the event work on my site.

He asked for my hourly rate for events lasting 2-6 hours. What pricing structure do you charge and is there a minimum amount of hours you bill for? Should I counter by first asking them what their budget is?

Do you have different rates for the first couple of hours in case the event is only 2 hours?

What is your post-processing fee per hour?

Do you charge separately for national/international usage?

Do you charge differently for different events or charge a flat fee for every event?

Some have more degree of difficulty such as a corporate headshot session so I am careful to just name one price.

What kind of words do you use not to lock yourself into that rate?

I have 20 years experience in the news business as an employee and I am transitioning to more corporate work. I also specialize in portraiture and own my own lighting equipment. I find it refreshing to do event work as it is a nice change from the news business.

Thanks.

When I set up my business, I presented very simple, all-inclusive hourly rates, thinking that clients would appreciate the ability to calculate a price for a job themselves. I found, though, that, instead, they always contacted me for an estimate and rarely remembered what my rate was. I also found there were factors particular to each job that made me want to deviate from the rate a bit one way or another. One of these, as Ashley pointed out, is the value of the usage rights, i.e. how the photos will be used. So, now I have a base rate in my head, but essentially I charge for each job what I think it's worth to me and/or the client. I give them one number for "photography", others for "expenses", and a long list of what's included - basic retouching, online hosting, etc.