I browse lots of photography forums in search of ideas for articles to write. I came across a post from a photographer offering to give up a job because he wouldn’t be in town to shoot it. He writes:
Hey! I was just contacted by a client about shooting a Sweet 16th unfortunately I will not be in the area and had to turn her down. She isn’t looking to spend too much, about $50 to be more precise (I know… It’s quite low); but is there anyone that would possibly be interested in taking on this client?
Another photographer replied: That’s the price I offer!!! Send her my way, I do great work!
Are you crazy? $50 bucks for a shoot!
Should all Professional, Part-time and Hobbyist Photographers boycott these jobs?
Simple answer: Absolutely not. If youre a hobbyist, this may be a way to help support your hobby. If you are a part-time photographer looking to build your portfolio or gain experience, this might be a good segway before you quit your main job. The tough question: what about the professional whose photography is their main source of income? If they accept a $50 job and treat it like a $5,000 job, your higher-end clients may think twice when negotiating with you. What do you do?
My suggestion: accept low-paying jobs if it feels right to you. In our earlier example The Sweet 16 shoot for $50 what if the girl, who happens to be a close friend of your child, is very ill, causing her family to suffer financially. The low price is all they can afford. Based on this information, you may decide to personally take the job or assign it to your assistant or intern. This example was easy to say yes to. But how do you decide if its worthy or not?
Sometimes professional photographers have to say No to a good cause so they can say Yes when a great cause comes along.
My business partner and producer, Nick, learned early on restricting me from helping others was a losing battle. He sat me down and offered this: You can take on up to 26 personal projects throughout the year as long as they don’t interfere with paying jobs. These personal projects include free shoots. The only cost, a non-negotiable equipment fee of $125 per project. This built-in safeguard covers the cost of normal equipment wear and tear, plus its a safety net in case something breaks. The client can pay the fee or it will come out of your personal paycheck.
Ouch! That last clause helps me say no to a good cause so I can say yes to a great one. But how do I know if its a great cause or project? Before I accept one of my 26 projects, I ask myself these five questions:
- How worthy is the cause?
- Is this shoot worth $125?
- Can I use the image for my portfolio?
- Can I use the image for articles or record the process for tutorials?
- It is worth taking time away from family and friends?
Answering these questions helps me put the project in perspective. If the client isn’t willing (noticed I didn’t say able) to pay $125, or there isn’t a value of at least $125 to me, I suggest they find another photographer or I may ask an intern to help them. If I answer yes to these questions and Im passionate about the project, I take on the assignment.
Helping our industry
We addressed the professional, now let’s talk about the part-time photographer or a talented hobbyist helping our industry. You have already accepted the low-paying or free job. You did exceptional work and produced beautiful images. Now, invoice your client the full amount you feel they should have paid, then subtract the discount to bring the total to the amount you both agreed on. The client will feel good about the discount at the same time realize they may not always get this great deal. This will help set your prices in the future.
I mentioned early on that many professional photographers have strong opinions on the subject of charging too little or not charging at all for a shoot. I respect your views and welcome your comments, provided you don’t bash the part-time photographer or hobbyist. After all, most of us started out the same way.
*Feature image StockRocket / Dollar Photo Club
This is a very interesting article about a difficult subject. Honestly, it never occurred to me to fill out a special discounted invoice for these low-paying gigs. I just might steal that idea. ;) Personally I hope this inspires all togs everywhere to get creative with jobs from lower-end clients so as to help our industry. Thanks for sharing this, Vanelli. :)
Awesome article! As a part time part timer I struggle with the issue of payment for services. Thank you for adding more clarity to this subject. Most of the articles I have read take s heavy handed approach to handling potential clients. I like your gentle approach of getting the idea across photographers need to be compensated.
Lex
Thanks, Robert for your clarification on this topic; one which has really alluded me. I am that amateur/hobbyist photographer, and your thoughts are appreciated, as I pursue my life-long passion??
Thank you! I’m glad to hear you’re pursuing your life-long passion. Don’t hesitate to ask questions on here or join the Photofocu Facebook group. Lots of talented people there to help too.
I’m just a new hobbyist looking to step up my game in this line of art, and I have to say I rather enjoyed this article. Thank you very much for giving me thoughts to ponder on.
You’re welcome. Richard Harrington has a lot of articles on Photofocus talking about the business side of Photography. You’ll gain a lot of valuable knowledge. Thanks for your comment.
I love that idea of the discount on the invoice. It gives a great price signal.
Why not show an invoice for $5000 with a discount of $4950? Make the client feel really good! Sometimes you take a low paying job because low pay is better than no pay. You use the opportunity of a Sweet-16 to market to all the 15 year olds. You smooze with the Sweet-16 relatives wanting prints. You might only get $50 for shooting, but you get much more later. It is definitely not your worry what some other photographer gets paid or not gets paid. Mind your own business, literally. If you work deserves a higher price, your results will… Read more »
Thanks very much for the excellent article on this topic. I’m recently retired and now have the opportunity to pursue my hobby of photography, but have occasionally encountered situations about pricing that leave me wondering if I’m charging too little or too much. I think your ideas are going to help me decide.
Great!
The discount invoice is a brilliant ida that I would not have thought about. I will be sharing your article on my college forum. A great tip. Thank you.
Thank you! Are you a college teacher? Btw I like how you wrote your name, Jim Jimmy James. I used to call my friend that and added Jimbo.
I get called Jimbo too. Also Hamish & Seamus…. Even John! I am not a teacher, I’m on a City & Guilds photography course and we had a class a few weeks ago where we were asked to think about costings for jobs and whether or not we would take on charity work and how our prices would most likely need to be low until we build a portfolio and client base. Thanks again for sharing such a great tip. Jim Jimmy James.
Great to know other people use the discounted invoice, I think its a great way for clients to see the value they are getting and show that it may not always be that price.
Interesting article. It’s something that I try to work out as a wedding photographer. My set fees are negotiable to a degree and I try to give the best value for money. On my invoices I would provide similar information such as ‘Special Promotional Offer Price – £…..’ when I need to so the customer is aware that they got a good deal.
Interesting article I have lawyers had a pretty strong viewpoint on this kind of stuff as we need to be paid appropriately to earn a living. Though as you say when its a great cause for say a charity all rules can be forgotten!
Awesome article! As a part time part timer I struggle with the issue of payment for services. Thank you for adding more clarity to this subject. Most of the articles I have read take s heavy handed approach to handling potential clients. I like your gentle approach of getting the idea across photographers need to be compensated.
Lex
I’m just a new hobbyist looking to step up my game in this line of art, and I have to say I rather enjoyed this article. Thank you very much for giving me thoughts to ponder on.
You’re welcome. Richard Harrington has a lot of articles on Photofocus talking about the business side of Photography. You’ll gain a lot of valuable knowledge. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks, Robert for your clarification on this topic; one which has really alluded me. I am that amateur/hobbyist photographer, and your thoughts are appreciated, as I pursue my life-long passion??
Thank you! I’m glad to hear you’re pursuing your life-long passion. Don’t hesitate to ask questions on here or join the Photofocu Facebook group. Lots of talented people there to help too.
This is a very interesting article about a difficult subject. Honestly, it never occurred to me to fill out a special discounted invoice for these low-paying gigs. I just might steal that idea. ;) Personally I hope this inspires all togs everywhere to get creative with jobs from lower-end clients so as to help our industry. Thanks for sharing this, Vanelli. :)
Thanks very much for the excellent article on this topic. I’m recently retired and now have the opportunity to pursue my hobby of photography, but have occasionally encountered situations about pricing that leave me wondering if I’m charging too little or too much. I think your ideas are going to help me decide.
Great!
Why not show an invoice for $5000 with a discount of $4950? Make the client feel really good! Sometimes you take a low paying job because low pay is better than no pay. You use the opportunity of a Sweet-16 to market to all the 15 year olds. You smooze with the Sweet-16 relatives wanting prints. You might only get $50 for shooting, but you get much more later. It is definitely not your worry what some other photographer gets paid or not gets paid. Mind your own business, literally. If you work deserves a higher price, your results will… Read more »
The discount invoice is a brilliant ida that I would not have thought about. I will be sharing your article on my college forum. A great tip. Thank you.
Thank you! Are you a college teacher? Btw I like how you wrote your name, Jim Jimmy James. I used to call my friend that and added Jimbo.
I get called Jimbo too. Also Hamish & Seamus…. Even John! I am not a teacher, I’m on a City & Guilds photography course and we had a class a few weeks ago where we were asked to think about costings for jobs and whether or not we would take on charity work and how our prices would most likely need to be low until we build a portfolio and client base. Thanks again for sharing such a great tip. Jim Jimmy James.
Interesting article I have lawyers had a pretty strong viewpoint on this kind of stuff as we need to be paid appropriately to earn a living. Though as you say when its a great cause for say a charity all rules can be forgotten!
Great to know other people use the discounted invoice, I think its a great way for clients to see the value they are getting and show that it may not always be that price.
I love that idea of the discount on the invoice. It gives a great price signal.
Interesting article. It’s something that I try to work out as a wedding photographer. My set fees are negotiable to a degree and I try to give the best value for money. On my invoices I would provide similar information such as ‘Special Promotional Offer Price – £…..’ when I need to so the customer is aware that they got a good deal.