What to charge for travel?

<p>Hey gang, new situation I haven't had before, and I am hoping for opinions:</p>

<p>I have a bride who booked her wedding package to shoot in my home base city, but now she has had to change the location to Chicago and we are negotiating travel expenses. Some things are a given (hotel, fuel cost) but I am trying to figure out what to charge her for my travel days. I want to give her two options - 1) Fly me up there and transport to/from the hotel, so I just have her pay for the flight or 2) Myself and a second shooter drive up, and she pays for my time to drive up there.</p>

<p>Obviously, it will cost about the same to fly just me as to have me and my second drive up ( but I have to pay the second for travel and the shooting so it will cost me less to shoot alone this time). The bride's contract does specify a second (as do all my contracts) but she said she was fine losing the second to save money.</p>

<p>If she opts for the drive, then I would need to charge her travel costs and time (it's a 6 hr drive each way). That's where I need your help - WHAT DO I CHARGE FOR MY TIME TO TRAVEL? I work as a destination photography all the time, but the travel costs are built into those packages and I'm not sure what to charge for a semi-short drive? HELP! :)</p>

 

<p>If you have an hourly rate (whether published or not), I have previously charged 1/3 to 1/2 time for travel time (only).</p>

<p>IRS tax laws generally give you a write off of something like 50 cents a mile for travel if it is coming out of your pocket as a business expense (can't write it off if you are being compensated). You could just use google maps to figure out the distance and charge for travel based on that (figuring it covers fuel, wear and tear on your car, meals on the way and your time). 6hrs says around 300 miles to me, so $150 each way minimum I would say ($300 total). That would be a guess for me, but your time might be more valuable then that. To a degree I would look at the existing budget/cost you are charging and work from there. I wouldn't charge $1000 if it is a $1500 package, but if it is a $6000 package then maybe $500-800 for travel (it is I am assuming 2 extra days required beyond simply just the shot for travel with 6hrs on the road each day) isn't excessive since it is taking in to account both your costs and your time.</p>

<p>Kenzi.<br /> I travel for most of my assignments and charge half of my dayrate for each travel day. But that's for commercial, corporate and ad agency work. When I book a wedding that is going to require travel I usually charge $500/day, since I will not be able to do any shoots on those days and will lose out on any income.<br>

<br /> Another option would be to charge this couple an additional $700-1000 for the two travel days, but then throw in an extra hour, or two, of wedding coverage. After all, you'll be in Chicago and won't have anything to do anyway, so give them a little extra time to make them feel better about all the extra money they're having to spend on their wedding package. You could even have your assistant stay and shot for extra time, so you can go relax.<br>

<br /> As for writing off travel expenses, you can actually write off mileage whether or not you're being expensed for it by the client. However, you do have to claim the income, so it's a wash.</p>

<p>By the way, I love your work! Great stuff!<br>

<br /> All the best.</p>

<p>.70 per mile which includes travel between any locations during the time involved in photography for the wedding. </p>

<p>The above covers any meals needed and travel expenses.</p>

<p>If a room is needed then they pay for it and put it in my name so that there is no paperwork to do.<br>

The travel fee is expected to be paid ahead as part of the entire package (mileage to and from as well as between locations is estimaged using google maps).</p>

<p>With respect, .70 per mile will cover the costs of operating your vehicale (.50/mile) and another $20.00 per 1.5 hours of driving (100 miles), and our time is worth much more than that. Especially since you likely won't be able to do another shoot on that day. So essentially, you'd make $20-100.00, depending on how far you drove. Or around $13/hour.</p>

<p>I charge $5-700.00, plus all expenses, for a travel day. Expenses would include meals, hotels, as well as .50/mile.</p>

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