Shooting A Concert -- What to Charge

[RustySterling]

I've been approached by a major talent agency about shooting an upcoming concert for one of their talents. I've not had this experience before and I'm at a loss about what to charge.

This would be a 2 hour concert with me needing to arrive about an hour ahead of the show and stay about an hour after. Then there would be post-production work as well.

I've talked with my mentor who is telling me I should be charging about $200 an hour plus travel and expenses. So he is noting that my bill should come in around $1000 given the requirements of this job.

I'm just doing a reality check to see if I'm in the ballpark or completely out of it.

[nickbedford]

Sounds fair to me, though I only have a little experience in this. I recently did a shoot about half that time (with about two hours processing) for a local university campus marketing project and charged $450 AUD

Cue Jim...

[candleman]

one million dollars.

what do they want a a deliverable, and what rights do they want over the images ?

are you able to sell the images directly to the contestants ?


not my image obviously. random pic off the interweb

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by candleman

one million dollars.

what do they want a a deliverable, and what rights do they want over the images ?

are you able to sell the images directly to the contestants ?


not my image obviously. random pic off the interweb

Also, yes. First things first:

• Your copyright and licensing terms.
• What are they going to be used for, print, web, publication in a magazine etc.
• What will the files need to be. Full resolution? Web sized? (1000px for example)

[RustySterling]

First of all, these are not contestants. This is a major talent management agency asking me to shoot a concert of one of their clients. I do not know the contract details yet because I have not had my meeting with the artist's manager -- that is set for next Monday. All I'm trying to do at this point is get a reality check on a potential fee, so that if I am asked I can confidently give them a figure.

As far as rights, that is negotiable, although, based on my mentor recommendations, I'm going to try and retain my rights and limit their usage rights. But the manager is saying to me they want images for promotional purposes (we call it package in the music industry -- and since I've had my own band I know what the industry is). That is cool with me, as long as I have rights for internet and my portfolio -- and get decently paid.

So what I am really looking for is advice on a pricing structure for such a shoot. I'm going to lean towards $1000+ -- depending upon time and potential post-processing, plus images requirements (i.e., prints, digital images).

[RustySterling]

Obviously, no one here has anything of value to say, which only shows me how invaluable this site has become. There are a lot of blowhards here but few (Jim Bryant is an exception) who have anything of value to say. This has a lot to do with why I haven't been hanging around this site as much as I use to. Too little to help a true professional from too many who just are not real professionals.

I found the answers I needed from others who don't even know what this site is. I'm very disillusioned about DPS these days.

[theosus]

Originally Posted by RustySterling

Obviously, no one here has anything of value to say, which only shows me how invaluable this site has become. There are a lot of blowhards here but few (Jim Bryant is an exception) who have anything of value to say. This has a lot to do with why I haven't been hanging around this site as much as I use to. Too little to help a true professional from too many who just are not real professionals.

Well, not to be a negative nancy, but this is "digital photography school", not "digital photography professionals association". One would expect in school to learn the skills and talents to better oneself in a post-educational world. I've learned stuff here, and am still learning. Glad to hear you got your answers. Maybe you could improve the site - post your concert photos and tell us how you set them up, that should help someone here.

[Biomech]

Rusty, I'm interested to know where else you found your information? As a prospective business developer (as it were) I like to get as much info as possible.

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by RustySterling

Obviously, no one here has anything of value to say, which only shows me how invaluable this site has become. There are a lot of blowhards here but few (Jim Bryant is an exception) who have anything of value to say. This has a lot to do with why I haven't been hanging around this site as much as I use to. Too little to help a true professional from too many who just are not real professionals.

I found the answers I needed from others who don't even know what this site is. I'm very disillusioned about DPS these days.

Wow! That's one heck of an attitude you have there Rusty. So, what you're saying is that you are more than willing to receive help from others but you are unwilling to come back & share your experience with others.

This site may be invaluable to you but there are plenty of people here that could use your expertise. It is made up of people like me & you just insulted each & every one of us with your comment. I truly hope that you recant your previous statement & come back to help others. Because, after all, the give & take aspect of this site is what makes it tick.

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by RustySterling

Obviously, no one here has anything of value to say, which only shows me how invaluable this site has become. There are a lot of blowhards here but few (Jim Bryant is an exception) who have anything of value to say. This has a lot to do with why I haven't been hanging around this site as much as I use to. Too little to help a true professional from too many who just are not real professionals.

I found the answers I needed from others who don't even know what this site is. I'm very disillusioned about DPS these days.

Wow, you're coming across as incredibly rude, there. As an experienced professional concert photographer I might have been willing to offer suggestions, but I'm unwilling to now, on this particular thread.

By the way, "invaluable" doesn't mean what you seem to think it means...