How to talk about pricing with bands? (NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH)

[peetyvulture]

Just to start I would like to say that I do NOT want to know how much I should charge but rather how to talk to bands about what I DO charge. Just saying this because I know that asking how to charge get you nowhere.

Ok so I've had few bands come and ask me to shoot a gig (both bands are playing the same gig) and I was wondering how I should go about talking to them about what I charge. Should I do it in person? By E-mail? Should I do both bands together or separately? And is there anything else I should know.

[OsmosisStudios]

Do bands separately, but speak to them in the same way and for the love of god use the same system to figure out how much.

Start by talking to the band (or a member/rep) via e-mail to get a rough idea of what they want - this includes how much they're willing/able to pay you. From there, draft a contract, and take it to them in person. Explain what you get, what they get and what the cost is and all the particulars. If they're happy, they sign and youve got a gig. FI theyre not, you may have to make a few changes: you may also not be willing to make the concessions they want, and thats when you'll decide whether to continue or not.

Once you've got a contract in hand, you're set.

[andyw]

In person and separately.

In person because that is the best way to conduct business, anything discussed should then be confirmed in writing.

Separately as they may both have different requirements and hence the pricing could be/will be different.

[mokka]

As you're doing more than one band at the same gig, have you spoken to the gig's promoter? Perhaps they can also hire you to shoot photographs for them, of the crowd, the venue, other bands etc, and will you have to pay to get into the gig? Individual bands may not be able to get you free entry, but the promoter definitely will.

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by mokka

As you're doing more than one band at the same gig, have you spoken to the gig's promoter? Perhaps they can also hire you to shoot photographs for them, of the crowd, the venue, other bands etc, and will you have to pay to get into the gig? Individual bands may not be able to get you free entry, but the promoter definitely will.

I wouldn't even consider shooting a band or other gig where I had to pay for entry, even on spec. Making sure you're on the door list should be a minimum requirement.

[peetyvulture]

Yeah I always make sure I'm on the door list. And thanks for your advice everyone.

[Jim Bryant]

door list and floor list are two different things. What you need is a photo pit pass, which allows you to be up close to the band. At concerts normally you get to shoot the first three songs and that's it.

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

door list and floor list are two different things. What you need is a photo pit pass, which allows you to be up close to the band. At concerts normally you get to shoot the first three songs and that's it.

For arena shows sure, but not generally for club gigs. I've shot dozens of concerts in venues from dive bars up through 1200+ capacity clubs and never had a restriction on number of songs. The OP didn't specify the size of the venue.