Shopping mall wants photography for website

<p>Hello,<br /> <br /> I'm a freelance photographer and have recently gotten a commission to shoot promotional pictures for a shopping mall in my area. They want to use the images on their website. I've never done something like this before, so I'm not sure how much the standard is.<br /> Please tell me anything you think I should know/be aware of, and how much approximately to be charging for such a service.</p>

<p>Thanks very much,<br /> Elizabeth Salib<br /> </p>

<p>Elizabeth, You might consider this software to help answer your question:</p>

<p>http://www.cradocfotosoftware.com/fotoQuote-Pro/</p>

<p>You of course need to take into account your own overhead including insurance, equipment replacement, etc. and of course don't ever forget profit. There are a series of articles on freelancing on Photo.Net you may also want to read:</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/learn/photography-business/freelance-photography-advice/</p>

<p>You have some very nice images on your website. But I believe your prices are too low. Check other comparable photographers pricing in your area.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks so much for the reply. I know my prices are low, but due to the fact that I live in a city, and there are plenty of other photographers around, I've been keeping my prices low at least for the first year, just to get my foot in the door. I'll definitely raise them when I have more of a client base, but I'd like to at least have some business and a reputation before hiking the prices.</p>

<p>I've read a lot about this program, and I think I will end up investing in it, but I was hoping to have a rough estimate before I bought it (which may be later on in the week).</p>

<p>Definitely read this blog - so interesting, I think - and is exactly about what you're asking.<br>

http://markstoutphotography.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/a-dangerous-new-marketing-paradigm-blogs-magazines-fashion-designers-agencies-and-fools/</p>

<p>Do some research on the company you're being commissioned by. I work for the largest owner/operator of shopping centers in North America. We pay good money for photos. Sometimes $1000 a site or day, more or less depending upon what is needed. What we require are shots during the entire day. How the center looks in the morning, afternoon, late afternoon and evening. That's just the outdoor shots. And make sure you get shots with the parking lot full. Makes it easier to sell space when it looks like the center is busy. If it's an enclosure, we require more shots inside. Make sure to snap happy shoppers and make sure you have ID from the center allowing you to take public photos because I doubt they'll tell the security guards you're coming. The files we get usually are between 25 to 40 meg tiff's. </p>

<p>How are you going to cope with model releases? If you're not going to provide them - and frankly its difficult to see how you can- make sure the mall know you're not providing them ( so they can't turn to face you when they get sued by someone who is recognised on their website). </p>

<p>Hooman, I read it and also found it very interesting. And quite helpful. I'm purchasing the software ASAP.</p>

<p>Rich: The problem is they don't have a website up yet. And they don't seem to know exactly what they want, but have a general idea. I went in today, though. The mall was small enough and they had a security guard follow me around to help me with my equipment even. I have some of the shots I need and I'll be going back in Sunday to complete the shooting.</p>

<p>David: All of the pictures are either of people's backs, or I lowered the shutter speed so that they were blurred in the front. I think that solves the model release problem.</p>

<p>I followed Hooman B's link. I agree the article is interesting. But I'm a little unsure about the suggested pricing and wondered what folks here thought. For instance, he suggests a licensing rate of $100 to $200 per month for a 1/4 screen image used on the web. So if someone wanted to license 5 images to use for up to 24 mos, the suggested fee would be between $12,000.00 and $24,000.00. That sounds like a lot to me. Am I guilty of poor man thinking and/or being too worried that I'd be viewed as attempting to rob a client if charging them this way?</p>

<p>i just read the link post by Hooman B. also... sorry, just posted a similar inquiry regarding licensing..<br>

this is exactly what's had me puzzled is the enormous fee due to licensing images on the web for<br>

a year.. Asa, i second the question.. are we simply guilty of poor man's thinking?</p>

<p>best, julia</p>