What to charge for band photographs?

[capturedbybrooke]

For a local band starting out, what would you charge?

[Eastree]

It first depends on exactly what you're shooting. Is it a concert? Some locational group shots? An album cover? How many photographs? Prints? Range of distribution?

I'm also wondering about things like ... in case the band starts getting widely popular, should there be something in the contract to cover that, so they're not necessarily getting a ow-rate shoot that they can distribute freely?

[Jim Bryant]

Why not charge anywhere from $25.00 to $50.00 a hour? But, not for free drinks as they'll expect that everytime. Also make sure you don't give away your rights to the images as you'll never get any extra money if they hit the big time and land on the cover or inside pages of Rollin Stone.

[GaryC]

I'm going to be doing a band shoot for free here in the next few weeks.

A) the guys in the band are amoung my best friends.
B) it will get me some experience and possible additions to a portfolio.
C) I think it will be fun.

A agree with the other points though, what are you shooting for the band.

In my case I shoot them live all the time, I have wanted to do promo pics for them for a long time. And I would be honoured to do cover art for their first album.

They start getting popular enough to start generating income, they can start paying me for work then. This of course is an exception due to the guys pretty much being like brothers to me. Hell if my guitar playing was any better, I'd likely be in the band too... soon maybe

I think you should price it similar to how weddings are priced. Maybe tone it down a bit since it isn't a wedding.

Maybe charge them a flat rate for the time. Than a per print/image that they want.

[nickbedford]

For this shoot (I'm in the blue :P) of about 20 final photos, we paid $250 AUD through a friend of ours. We spent about an hour walking around the city doing various shoots and had the photos about a week later (obviously he didn't spend a week on it).

I would maybe set a package price. An hour shooting, with up to so many photos in return, processed and ready for print, for example.

It makes it much better for both involved to know exactly how much you'll be getting or paying.