David Shopper Photography

As a commercial photographer, it's important to consider the value of your photographs as well as the effort it takes to do the photography. There are other factors as well: you'll also want to consider the uniqueness of your photography - are you being asked to shoot this job because you approach it differently than any one else (for your "style" or "eye") or could any guy with camera shoot it? If you're sought out for your creativity, you can charge more. The value of the photograph has to do with the intended usage and the usage you grant. If these are images that can host an international ad campaign, then you should be getting top dollar for them. If they can only be used for someone's local social media, then it's got a very low value and should have a low usage fee. My main line for estimates is "creative fee and usage" which takes into account how difficult the assignment is, how unique is the approach, and how great is the usage. If your client is making the images available to 3d party companies, then all bets are off for you maintaining any control over the images - I would consider this a buyout and double or triple your usage rate. Lastly, were you selected because you are local or from a national pool? Obviously, if the latter, you have to consider that you're bidding against other national photographers, which would indicate a higher rate. Regardless of what you decide, speaking candidly with the client and getting as much information as possible is always advisable. When you speak to them, be sure to really listen instead of just giving your thoughts - most clients will tell you exactly what they're looking for and what their budget is if you let them expound. Good luck and I hope it works out for you! Best, David Shopper, www.davidshopper.com.