Renovation Photography

[jen_kidd]

Hello,

I need some help with a job I am working on.

I got hired to do before, during , and after pictures of a remodel

project. The project will take about 2 years. This is my first

assignment that I am doing for profit. I decided to charge an

hourly rate of 25.00 per hour (since I am still building my

portfolio I thought that would be a fair price) and then charge for

the materials and expenses separately. So I presented the work to

them and they loved it all so much that they decided to order

reprints (some digital and some Black and White). Since I am

charging them an hourly rate, and I am not printing any of these my

self, do I up the price of the reprints, or just charge them what it

cost me?

Sorry this is so long winded... I appreciate all of your help and

suggestions!

Jen

[scott_davis5]

For the materials portion of any project, I would always charge double my materials costs (call it an "administrative fee"). ESPECIALLY if you have to buy materials up front.

[jen_kidd]

Even if I am already charging an hourly cost?

[gary evans]

Sounds like you're afraid to mark-up the reprints.

 

Let me put it this way - does the clent just order them and they magically appear in the client's hands? No, you have to arrange for them to be made and then deliver them. Is that not work?

[gary evans]

Hourly cost is for your time. I would just charge them the hourly rate for photography related time. Charge for the time spent on everything else in the form of mark-ups on equipment, supplies, and prints.

[art_haykin]

Think of it as a "parts and labor" proposition. as when you have your car repaired. If a carburator needs replacing or rebuilding, you are charged for all parts (at a mark-up) and for the time to do the job. As a life long pro, I always charged a shooting fee that made me a sufficient profit or living even if the client never ordered a single print. In my my view, photography is a professional service, NOT a retail product like a can of soup in a supermarket. I was paid for my talent and skills, and NOT for mere images on paper or film.My old '85 Mazda GLC quit on me, and I had it towed to a very reputable repair shop. After drinking their free coffee for 20 minutes, they found the problem: a burnt out distributor rotor at 3 bucks. Their minimum going in fee was $79.95, but they took pity on me and charged me $55.00 and threw in the rotor.Business is business.

[jen_kidd]

Thank you all for your help with this! I guess I really need to get over my fear that I am "price gouging (I think I spelled that right".

I just feel that since I am starting out, building my portfolio is more important. But you all are right, my time is worth something and I shouldn't feel bad asking them to pay for quality work. : )

Thanks again!

[g._armour_van_horn]

If you're gouging, your clients will tell you. They won't be as forthcoming if you are undercharging them. I don't double my costs as a markup, but I do bill my time at more than twice your rate. So if they call and order a dozen prints, you sit down with your notes, look at your watch, and fill out the order form to get the prints done. Then you look at your watch - if the prints cost you $15 and it takes a half hour to get the order straight and inspect the prints when they come in, there's another $12.50. I'd only mark up the prints 30%, but with your low hourly rate I see no reason not to double it.

 

Until a client makes a valid case that you're gouging him.

 

Van