Product Photography

[Jayson]

I am looking for some suggestions and input regarding product photography. I purchased my XSi initially to take pictures of my kids.I was recently asked toshoot some jewelry photos for a friends website. When I was done,she was thrilled with the result and has nowposted most of the pictures on her website.Seeing the end result some others have asked for a bid for other work. I have no idea whatthe going rate isfor something like this. The products are necklaces, bracelets, and earings made of gemstones, somediamonds.


If anyone has experience with this, I am looking for any suggestion. Do you charge by the item or set? Would you charge by the hour? Thank you.

[Steve Eisenberg]

I don't sell work, but I've looked into it. The simplest would be to sell your services, and not to sweat the copyright, if it's just product photography. Otherwise you're going to get into usage rights, and that might make some small business clients lose interest. Not because they want to rip you off, just because they need a service and don't want to deal with the complexity (in their opinion).


Shooting products could be like shooting a wedding. You retain the right to use the photos to promote your own business, but the client uses the photos for their own purposes. Whether you want them to get your permission when reproducing the images.....maybe not an issue for what you're looking to do


Get everything in writing. Always. Have a clear and concise contract.And better yet, get some money up front (retainer), to prove everyone is serious about the job. Work out how much per shoot/hour/or product. You should be able to get a good idea about prices with some web research


I'd be interested to know how it works out. Good luck!


Here are a few links:


http://www.photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm


http://keepyourcopyrights.org/contracts/samples/12


http://www.johngress.com/info/contract.php


http://www.asmp.org/pdfs/OnRequest_Assignment_Agree.pdf


http://photo.net/business-photography-forum/00DUfy

[Jayson]

Thanks for you input. I will check into the sites above.

[Steve Eisenberg]

You're welcome. I am self-employed, and I can tell you that people depend on you being afraid of charging what you are worth. You can easily justify charging some amount less than the competition, if your overhead is lower. Just make sureof your numbers before you do that.I know from experience that dirt-cheap pricesattract scummy clientelle. Sorry to be graphic about it, but don't put yourself in the position to have to deal with unprofessional people. Charge a competitive, but justifiably lower price.


OK, I'm stepping off my soapbox now!