Actor portrait prices..??

[Forbiddenbiker]

As some of you know I'm a mechanic/business man and not an earning photographer in any way...I had a few front covers and centre spreads etc in non-mainstream motor sport magazines in the passed, but that was all many many years ago and I have little idea of the market today.

So, I've been asked to shoot some shots of a successful actor, he's a customer of mine and wants (On the cheep obviously) portraits and working theatre shots for his own portfolio.

I'm fairly savvy on copyright and ownership rights...but what sort of pricing structure should I use...or pretend to use, I will be looking after him price wise, in the hope that he passes my details around to other actors. But I need some idea of what the charges would be if he was hiring a pro...?

If I do well on the day.....I'm thinking I'll supply about 5-8 good images all professionally printed and mounted that and a full days shooting all in for about £300-£350. (Half price to my customer, the first time only, and only on the first set of prints £150-£175)

...but what about further prints...what about his agent wanting more copies of images for various promotional things in the future.

I'm lost now, it’s helped writing this down, but beyond the first set of prints I'm lost as to how the repeated use of my images would work...what do I charge if they want to print a set of posters with my image on...etc etc.

I may be dreaming a little that this will go some where, but I feel I need to gather some knowledge of how to answer the question of what pricing to place on the repeated use of my images.

Any tips, thoughts and advice would be great chaps and chapesses.

Thanks.

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Bounce.

Where is everyone.....hello.

...but what about further prints...what about his agent wanting more copies of images for various promotional things in the future.

...what do I charge if they want to print a set of posters with my image on...etc etc.

I may be dreaming a little that this will go some where, but I feel I need to gather some knowledge of how to answer the question of what pricing to place on the repeated use of my images.

Well im off to see this chap this morning....and I have no idea what to say.

 

[KenCo]

So, I've been asked to shoot some shots of a successful actor

Sorry I'm not going to be of much help but I'd say if he is a successful actor he should be paying top dollar.....I'm sure he should be able to afford it. No harm keeping your prices competitive but don't undersell yourself.....

 

[CT]

Make it clear to this guy from the outset, that what you're charging him is for whatever prints you're providing him with.... and that's it. He has no right to copy them... you still retain copyright. Tell him any further use of the images by himself or his agent will be subject to further charge and negotiation, depending on intended useage.

Before you actually do the shots, get something knocked up in Word for him to sign, make sure it clearly identifies the shots involved and date taken. It's difficult to advise on pricing Adam, it's largely down to how much you want to charge, and whether you're happy charging for your work at pro rates.

 

[Arkady]

My Dad's an actor and more and more actors with the agent he uses are using online registration for their contact details instead of sending out hard copies.
Maybe sack the idea of giving him prints and just structure a pricing schedule for digital copies? If he needs prints, he can always print them himself at Boots or something.

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Thanks guys….

Ken; I’ll keep the price as high as I can for my abilities…hmmm. :shrug:

Cedric, yep, that’s what I needed to hear, one price per print and no exceptions... right, got that! I'll adjust my charges for each print depending on usage...i.e. small web ones will be cheeper than full printed and mounted.

Arkady; I'm not so sure about providing full size digital prints Rob, sure I can provide 72dpi ones for the web, but I doubt I could trust his agent with full size images....how would a structure like that work? ..Something like; he’s allowed to use all the images for a year (Or more) at X price....or ...or what? Can’t think of another way right now.

As I said earlier, went to visit him today...he's got several bikes and want me to restore his new purchase, an old '78 Honda Goldwing...lovely job for me, as I've done a few over the years so easy stuff.
Luckily for me he bought up the portfolio work again and suggested we get to grip with pricing, locations and favours nearer to Christmas, which is just fine...he thinks he's playing me a little because he knows its a hobby to me... I will endeavour to keep this going as long as possible, because actually I'm playing him slightly... In an honest way, but I wont be ripped off as much as he may expect...especially if I know more about the prices he may have been quoted before ...by the pros.
Saying that, if I can't produce results that you guys would say (If you where to see them) are up to standard...I won't charge a penny....cos that the way I like to do business, he knows that too....fingers crossed that doesn't happen.

I'll work on getting some sort of contract/statement sorted Cedric, good idea. ..And get a Model release signed too, that way I can use his image myself.

 

[photostar_1]

I can add absolutely nothing to this that would be helpful...........but i would like to say good luck, as it sounds like the start of something potentially really good. Fingers crossed that it all turns out well for you!

 

[Boon]

hi FB
no chance of knowing who it is then??

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Fingers crossed that it all turns out well for you!

Thanks PS. It is a tad exciting...or could be... here's hoping

hi FB
no chance of knowing who it is then??

Hi mate...err, No.



I'll post the piccies up if i get their, don't want to stick his name on this thread for all to see...not quite yet.

 

[Arkady]

Arkady; I'm not so sure about providing full size digital prints Rob, sure I can provide 72dpi ones for the web, but I doubt I could trust his agent with full size images....how would a structure like that work? ..Something like; he’s allowed to use all the images for a year (Or more) at X price....or ...or what? Can’t think of another way right now.

He pays a fixed rate for unlimited use - that's how it works in the real world guys. What did you think? That you can control how many times he uses the images?
If that were the case, he'll just scan the prints you give him.

If I sell an image to the papers, they can use it as many times as they want. Simple.
You just have to pick a price that suits both parties.

 

[h.r.ford]

Don't know if it helps at all but my company just purchased a pic for £300 for unlimited use. But of course we didn't have a sitting fee and I would assume you would charge two fees one for the pics and one for the taking of the pic.

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

He pays a fixed rate for unlimited use - that's how it works in the real world guys. What did you think? That you can control how many times he uses the images?
If that were the case, he'll just scan the prints you give him.

If I sell an image to the papers, they can use it as many times as they want. Simple.
You just have to pick a price that suits both parties.

Don't know if it helps at all but my company just purchased a pic for £300 for unlimited use. But of course we didn't have a sitting fee and I would assume you would charge two fees one for the pics and one for the taking of the pic.

Great, that's just what I needed to know, very helpful, I don't suppose I shall ask for professional amounts or even demand a professional payment route, but its very useful info anyway, as it gives me something to barter with, and informs him and possible future clients through him, what my pricing could/might be, ...if you get what I mean.

Thanks guys. I feel informed.

 

[CT]

I think you have to be realistic about starting to charge whether it's with a view to turning pro or not. Certainly you should be looking at covering your overheads and making a profit, but you're also on a learning curve, an invaluable one, and some things only come with experience. Every time you do these jobs you're learning all the time, in fact, you never ever stop learning.

I certainly cringe now when I think of some of the early weddings I did, not really knowing my arse from my elbow about how to go about it. If you're going to charge the same rates as the local pro then people are (a) Going to compare your work with his and (b) Think "Well I might as well go to the pro anyway"

As your experience and skills improve then you obviously start to increase your prices to reflect that, but you can only get the experience through paid work, so keep your prices sensible initially and you'll get plenty of work, with the experience being money in the bank literally and metaphorically.

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

I'm cringing right now at the thought of what might be going through your professional guy’s heads.

...do you remember my wedding shots.

Your right CT, I do need to remember my lack of abilities and keep my prices sensible. I will, I promise.... I can be very flexible if I think it may go some where... just didn't want to end up doing it all for free, IYKWIM.