How do i ask...?

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Norman

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Norman
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"Am i being paid for this?"


ive recently been offered quite a few shoots involving cars after my recent personal shoot hit the MINI Scene.

ive got 4 or 5 shoots lined up in the next couple of weeks and i have a feeling that theyre not expecting to HAVE TO pay me. :thumbsdown: :nono:

whats the nicest/most productive way of asking people whether they intend on paying me for a shoot...

cos lets face it, if im gonna drive for 4 hours to shoot some MINI's in a hangar somewhere; thats costing me fuel, the batteries or whatever i need for the shoot. my time in PP and whilst shooting... well you know the drill...

i dont charge my skaters and BMX'ers cos lets face it theyre more broke than me, and i do that for the love of it.

but i feel like im being "used" just as a tool for their personal gain with them putting no money towards my expenses..


soooo any suggestions?

(ps ive read the wedding thread but this is kinda different)
 
Hey,

Maybe if you feel up to it, suggest that you would only need expenses covered and im sure they would give you something towards it.. provide them with a list of prices for prints/CD etc. Not too pricy but making sure you cover your spends :D
 
Not sure if you're after profit from this or just looking to not be out of pocket. If it's the latter then let them know that you're putting yourself out and incurring some costs by doing something for them and would appreciate it if they would help you cover those costs.
 
you could say that you normally ask for expenses upfront and 'the client' can buy whatever images they like afterwards, and then say that you are happy to come to a similar arrangement with them.
 
thanks for the replys. and im just after not leaving a shoot with 40 quid down from expenses and the people then recommending me as to all their buddies as a "free photographer" because im certainly not a free photographer. i did it free for 1 or 2 friends and its just got out of hand :( i need money to cover my expenses of driving to and from the shoots and the time everything takes
 
i think you've got to tell whoever asks for the pics as soon as they ask you to do the job ,,either sorry i only take pics for a few friends ,or well i will but it will cost this much ,not so easy to go back to them and sort out any money ,,,,,,sorry but not a very useful reply at this late stage ,,,,,,but the next time .....................
 
Send them a quote, explaining that it covers out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses and a reduced-rate labour charge, with payment expected 1-week before the shoot. If you feel the need to justify the quote listing the OOP, then do that as well.

There's little room for misinterpretation or that that you're doing 'freebies' if the quote is worded in a friendly but professional way. From the quote they should then realise that you don't just appear from a puff of smoke on the day, click the camera a few times, then magic up the finished product instantly... All that takes up time, preperation/planning, and costs you money you'd otherwise not be spending :)
 
donut has it right.
when people ask about shoots. thats when to bring up cash.
but if youve missed the boat on that one. go MScotts route.
send em a quote.
if i volunteer for stuff now, i tell em i'll do it for costs, or even freebies for publicity.
if they ask me, i give em a quote.
 
I don't think you should just ask if they intend to pay you, unless you're prepared to accept their decision and live with the risk of getting a reputation as a "free photographer".

Why not put your cards on the table, thank them for the invitations, and explain that you charge expenses and a fee for your time? Set out the costs, what they will get for this, and get their response. At best, they will agree, and at worst you'll blow off a few people but clarify your position for the future.
 
MScotts said:
Send them a quote, explaining that it covers out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses and a reduced-rate labour charge, with payment expected 1-week before the shoot. If you feel the need to justify the quote listing the OOP, then do that as well.

There's little room for misinterpretation or that that you're doing 'freebies' if the quote is worded in a friendly but professional way. From the quote they should then realise that you don't just appear from a puff of smoke on the day, click the camera a few times, then magic up the finished product instantly... All that takes up time, preperation/planning, and costs you money you'd otherwise not be spending :)
Click to expand...

:agree: The quote is how I work it when people think I'm gonna spend 1/2 day fixing their virus riddled laptop/Pc for Free, just because I do it for some freinds and family, and I normally ask for 50/75% of any oop expenses up front and the rest on completion.
 
I think you have to change your mind-set, in order for them to change theirs.

As soon as you receive an enquiry you have to think costs and assume that they will be expecting to pay (it matters not what they think, just tell yourself that they will be expecting to pay). Take full details of the gig and then say something along the lines "Thanks for that. I'll now go away and cost this up and get back to you. I usually ask for 50% up front, before the event. Is this OK with you?". And see what their response is. If there is a gagging sound, then silence before they hang up then you have saved yourself from being taken for a mug and without any embarrassment falling your way.
 
give an estimate of your expenses and can they possibly see to defray those
 
thanks everyone. its a bit late in the stage for the first shoot. but as the first one is for very close friends i dont see a problem in accepting this. (and the guy did give me an opportunity to shoot the red arrows!!) the others i shall send them an estimated cost and see what they say.
 
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