Photographing for a fashion show?

[capturedbybrooke]

I was asked to shoot a fashion show, but I'm not sure if I should ask if there is compensation for it or not. This was the email I received:

"are you available July 8th? would you be interested in photographing for a fashion show i'm coordinating? my store is only one of more than 15 participating so you could take pictures of all of them and sell them to the other stores, but i would only need you to photograph for my store. ...it wouldn't be more than an hour or two im thinking. the show starts at 6:30 but i'd like to get some shots of the models getting their hair and makeup done as well as the pre-party in our store that starts at 5. let me know. "

How would you interpret this and respond to it? I would really love to do it, but I'm not sure what to charge..and how to go about selling the photos to the other stores?

I charge $140/hr plus extra for digital files/prints based on their usage.

~Eric

[BigFuzzy]

As to what to charge, it really depends. Do you already have rates you charge for other events?
Also, I don't think we can be so quick to put a number on it like Max suggests because you have to look at this as either one-off or a possibility to create contacts and possible future work.

Do they have these sorts of shows regularly? Would it be worth it to do this on the cheap (or for free) for the potential of future work?

I, personally would ask first what their intentions are in regards to the photos after they receive them. I'd say, "what are you planning on using the photos for so that I can determine what rates to charge" then, they'll either tell you, or also note that they hadn't planned on charging. Then you have a better idea of the context and you can make the decision of whether or not it's worth your time. Sometimes experience and contact is worth a LOT more than just money.

As for how to sell them to the other stores, I would approach them after the fact with a business card and a link showing an online portfolio of the shots from that day (heavily watermarked!) for them to look at and suggest that you're willing to sell them. Then you can figure out the rates (a cd with all images vs individual prints/files). That's assuming you'll not have time the day of the shoot to meet with the store reps.

[Swisstony10]

I'm kind of in agreement with Eric, but also agreeing with BigFuzzy. I think you should definitely charge, but it's never advisable to use someone else's standard hourly rate to set your own - in addition to the normal considerations of the cost of doing business, Eric's rate will be partially based on what his market can support, and that could be entirely different to what your market can support. There's no point in having an hourly rate that nobody is prepared to pay.

As BigFuzzy says - the contacts and experience can be worth more than just money, especially if you're either just starting out, or just starting to push an existing business into a new revenue stream. Getting a foot into the door of your local fashion world could be extremely useful, and you could make a lot of good contacts.

I did a fashion show just yesterday afternoon, in fact - I didn't charge for it, because it was the local art college, and I know how hard-up all the students are, so I did it for experience, and they can pay a bit for any prints that they want which will partially cover my costs. As far as I'm concerned though, it was great fun, I had a very enjoyable afternoon (and was really impressed with some of the work) and got to do some useful networking, so that in itself was kind of payment.

Russ.

[capturedbybrooke]

Thanks for the tips! I'm thinking of saying.. "I am available on July 8th. Can you tell me more about what are you planning on using the photos for so I can determine what rates to charge? I may be willing to do a trade...photos for a gift certificate and a ticket to the show/front row seating. Let me know what your budget is and we can work something out. I am looking forward to getting more experience in the fashion industry and making some contacts! Thanks for asking me! "

How does that sound?

[chris123]

Yes you should charge from them because he is doing marketing/advertising of his store by giving party and taking snaps so i think you should charger check the rate of the professional photograph and than decide about the rate.

[Swisstony10]

That sounds like a plan, although I'd avoid asking them what their budget is...

If I ask a builder to give me a quote for some work on my house, for example, and he says "Ok, let me know what your budget is and we'll work something out.." I'd suggest that my budget is way less than it actually is, on the grounds that his quote will magically expand to fill my available budget. Not that you or I (or any of our lovely colleagues on the DPS) would do the same, but the person organising the event will probably be expecting you to.

Better off to pick your own starting point, and then work back from there until you arrive at a package they're happy to pay for - if you're prepared to do the gig for the sake of the experience and the networking, then anything extra you get is a bonus. Even if you decide to cover the show for nothing, you should at the very least charge them something for the images afterwards, whether they have digital copies or prints.

Also, if they want you covering the actual cat-walk part of it, then you shouldn't have to ask to be at the front - they won't want to pay for pictures of the backs of peoples' heads.

Russ.

[capturedbybrooke]

They are only going to use them on their website. I'm so confused on what to charge. I'm thinking that they won't want the watermarked images on their site, so un-watermarked would be considered for commercial use, I am guessing? In which case, I should charge more. I wonder if I should charge per photo and if so, how much per photo? Or if I should sell them all pics on a CD for a fixed price?

[Swisstony10]

Perhaps you could try negotiating having a by line at the bottom of each picture that they use on the website, or ask them to have a caption that says something like "Pictures by....." etc..

EDIT: That's in addition to whatever you decide to charge them - I'm no help on that score, I'm afraid...

[BigVinnie]

Here is the red herring:

... so you could take pictures of all of them and sell them to the other stores

To me this says "Come shoot my store for free and you might make some money from the other guys". Those sales are not going to happen, never does. Chances are this is a standard M.O. to get free work from photographers.

Here is what I would suggest. Start with a 1/2 day rate. That is essentially what they are asking for. Normal licensing etc...

If they push the "you might make money from other guys" line and you want to do the show you need a quid pro quo. Model wardrobe has value. Offer to do the show but that your agreement is they provide wardrobe and staff for a future shoot in exchange.

There has to be an equitable exchange. Never work for free.