Help with pricing for possible assignment

gustafson

Senior Member
Never dreamed I'd be posting in this subforum this soon, but turns out a musician neighbor wants some basic stills to overlay as visuals on an audio track. I'm not looking to make a fortune on this, but rather get some experience with doing gigs, so am planning to offer to do this assignment for a modest flat fee. What would a typical fee for about an hours worth of taking photos, and post processing? Any other tips / suggestions on taking on this assignment?
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
If the neighbor is going to make money from it you certainly do or you work out a trade.
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
You might consider doing it for free just to gain experience. As Texas mentions, it is your neighbor and you never know when you'll need a neighborly favor. Or, if he really likes one or more of your shots, he can buy you dinner. As for your other post on how to shoot this, depends on how free you are to shoot from various spots around the piano. Obviously, you won't need to use any wide lenses. When I shoot individual performers at a music event, it's with my 24-70 or 70-200. Looks like you have some primes in that range. Probably don't need shutter speed higher than 1/250, aperture at f/4-f/5.6 and ISO dialed in to allow your chosen aperture and SS. Take lots of shots, vary things up and try different things in post. Good luck and have fun.
 

gustafson

Senior Member
Thanks everyone for the input. My first instinct was to do it for free, but on some reflection, I thought a nominal flat fee would not be unreasonable. If my neighbor gets back to me requesting a free sitting, I might offer that, or alternatively let them borrow my equipment for free.
@singlerosa: thanks for the technical tips, will keep them in mind. I was planning to go with the D7100, 18-55, 55-200, 35 f/1.8, and SB-700 on a tripod to cover all bases. Thinking ahead, I envision maybe 5-10 shots from unique angles, so I might have to get a bit creative with cropping (head shots vs body shots and in between) and PP in order to expand the variety and make them stand out from one another. Thanks!


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Thanks everyone for the input. My first instinct was to do it for free, but on some reflection, I thought a nominal flat fee would not be unreasonable. If my neighbor gets back to me requesting a free sitting, I might offer that, or alternatively let them borrow my equipment for free.
@singlerosa: thanks for the technical tips, will keep them in mind. I was planning to go with the D7100, 18-55, 55-200, 35 f/1.8, and SB-700 on a tripod to cover all bases. Thinking ahead, I envision maybe 5-10 shots from unique angles, so I might have to get a bit creative with cropping (head shots vs body shots and in between) and PP in order to expand the variety and make them stand out from one another. Thanks!


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Never loan out your equipment.


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weebee

Senior Member
Neighbors do not charge neighbors.

I'm an electrician. And let me tell you how that can turn out. UGLY..... I stopped helping friends and neighbors with electrical help/advice for a long time. Now when I do it. I do charge. Oh, it's a token sum. You want a outlet put in your garage? It'll cost you a bottle of booze. And you'll need to help me drink it. Or lunch. Something like that. I will not rip off my friends or neighbors. But I now make sure I'm not going to be taken granted of. JMHO
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
IF you elect to do it for free, or some low-ball fee....then I would have a serious discussion with your friend first... and here's why...

What you're about to do is going to be seen by many people. Bands all look at/watch other bands. If they like the results, they'll ask your friend who did the pictures? If he, excitedly says you did them for free... they'll expect the same.... See where that's going???
 

Texas

Senior Member
Nothing wrong with a pro, especially a licensed one, charging for his expertise. But in this first time shoot... ?

Anyway, back to the first part of the question: Google images has lots of interesting posing ideas. Allen Toussaint has some especially good images of himself with the giant piano.
 
Try to get them to do a dress rehearsal even if it a short one then you can get shots without interference and get as close as you like ..yes you do need a wide angle
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
I did the free thing many times when I was on my way in photography. it never brought me any work. as @weebee said, something minimal is fine like dinner or a bottle of wine. if you want to ask about money then something nominal just because people appreciate something more when they pay for it.
 
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