Assignment Questions

United States United StatesPricing Product Shoot for Local Pharmacy?

Was recently contacted by the local, small town pharmacy about shooting images for the purpose of updating a brochure. The owners also operate a pharmaceutacal company that sells a variety of medical equipment to nursing homes, hospitals, doctors, etc. The brochure is primarily for promoting the selling of the equipment and will be very regional. 

They asked about images for 5 products, ranging from lift chairs to diabetic shoes to put in a tri-fold brochure. It's a classic case of a small town business having a friend, or one of the employees taking snapshots for little or not cost in the past and now they're interested in improving the quality of the images and printed pieces, but being shocked at what it will cost. They also have no concept whatsoever of licensing agreements and that they don't actually own the images.

It sounds like they have warehouse space where I could set up a portable studio to shoot the products. I'm trying to figure out how to price this and thinking up to a $1000 range is about as high as I dare go. I'm not sure what I'll do regarding a licensing aggreement. There's only so much you can explain to very frugal small business owners in the very middle of the Mid-West about how commercial photography works. If I don't do the photography for them, they'll probably just stick with the point and shoot method they've been employing. 

My estimated Price Range:
minimum Price
$800
average Price
$900
maximum Price
$1,000
Currency
USD
MarkDunlapPhoto

MarkDunlapPhoto

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2 Answers

Tony Clark answered:
Answered June 14, 2011

I hope that the estimate was well received and the project was approved. I think that a well written estimate granting one press run for the brochure, website and no Advertising for $1250-$1700 with minimal PP would be appropriate. They may be a smaller Company but they must be aware that quality has a price tag and it sounds like they're ready to step up their images.

My recommended Price Range:
minimum Price
$1,250
average Price
$1,475
maximum Price
$1,700
Currency
USD
Tony Clark

Tony Clark

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Jim Greipp answered:
Answered June 4, 2011

Mark; Try not to approach the job with the attitude that they are too stupid or unwilling to learn about copyright or licensing agreements. Remind them that they don't own the software on their computer or the songs on their I-pod. If you don't educate the client, who will? I have clients smaller than what you describe - on the east coast but I can tell you that frugality is alive and well outside the mid-west - and I have sucessfully charged market rates. The key is to show them the difference quality professional photography makes and then teach them how to get it done. If you do your job well, there is no contest between what you are capable of producing and wht they do with their point and shoot. Every single client in the world can shoot it themselves if they thought they could. Remember they contacted you. They know that they have bad photos. The know they need better. Impress the heck out of them and charge accordingly.

My recommended Price Range:
minimum Price
$1,400
average Price
$1,700
maximum Price
$2,000
Currency
USD
Jim Greipp

Jim Greipp

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Jim,

All good points. The director of the local chamber of commerce has recently become a big fan of my work and is pushing to use my photography in a new promotional campaign for the area and a non profit organization commissioned me to shoot an image for a big upcoming event while negotiating to use some of my existing work on their website. I've submitted a bid to the pharmacy company and will hopefully be talking to them again soon. As with many things, I expect it to be a lot of work, but with worthwhile results.

Also, I took a look at your website and am very impressed with your excellent work. 

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June 4, 2011

MarkDunlapPhoto

MarkDunlapPhoto

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Sounds like you are impressing them! Keep that up and the pricing will never be an issue.

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June 4, 2011

Jim Greipp

Jim Greipp

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