Hotel Client: What?! You want $1,500 just for some pictures of our chef?!
Photographer: What do you think the job is worth?
Client: Maybe $250.
Photographer: Okay, for $250, I’ll come by your hotel sometime in the next couple of weeks whenever I have some spare time. When I’m there, hand me your cell phone and I’ll take a few pictures with it. You pay me $250 and the job is done. How does that sound?
Client: I could do that myself. We need high quality pictures with good lighting and we need it done this week.
Photographer: For $700, I’ll be there the day after tomorrow. I’ll use the camera, lenses and lighting equipment that you’ve rented for me. When done, I’ll transfer some pictures to you from the memory card. You pay me $700 and the job is done. Is that better?
Client: But the equipment rental for one day is almost $800! And what about finishing the photos? I don’t have time to edit the pictures. I wouldn’t even know where to start.
Photographer: Okay, I’ll bring twenty thousand dollars of equipment, spend a couple hours composing, lighting and creating some nice photos of your chef. Then I’ll spend another day editing the pictures. How does $1,500 sound?
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Photography fees are based on usage and production value. Pay more and get more, or, pay less and get less. It’s a simple concept and it’s exactly how every business in the world operates.
