The perfect job would be just so smooth there would be no ripple on the pond.
However, to make sure we are trying to achieve the same goal I will probably ask you a whole bunch of questions about what we are making photos of, why, and what you need/want to do with them so we can start the job right and not have to reshoot... which I hate to do.
I work with a wide variety of clients and try to
accommodate each customer's desire for pictures that
fit the purpose and budget of their organization.
Some EXAMPLES:
So, at the top end we are working for an architect
who wants to submit to one of the top architecture
magazines. Pictures need to be perfect. Exteriors
need to be shot at dusk and sunrise. Interiors are
lit like Architectural Digest. You may want a
stylist. Creative fees are about $1600 a day (me and
an assistant, 4x5 camera, 21/4 camera, digital
camera, film, processing, scanning, some digital
retouching and limited non-exclusive rights to use of
the photos (includes editorial, contest, marketing...
does not include use of the photos for third party,
or display ads for building products) no other use fees.
At the other end, a real estate agent just needs some
good photos to sell a house. $150.00 covers limited
non-exclusive use of photos except resale of the
images to anyone.
And then there is the great inbetween for magazine
articles, advertising, web pages, contests etc.
For example, I just did a kitchen bath contest entry
for SAVVY Cabinets. We billed $375 for 1/2 day shoot
and $100 for the numerous prints she needed to enter
the contest and made duplicates for her portfolio. I
bring in powerful lights. Other photographers do not. My
customers win contests!
After a few jobs we will expand the photo shoots into
a hard cover book so each designer and or sales
person has a really good looking portfolio.
See this website for a sample:
http://www.viovio.com/shop/14790
Simpson doors needed some product shots that I did in
the studio. We billed $275. They have rights to do
whatever they want with the photos, except resale.
Lexington Realty in New York has me shoot their
properties once a year or so. They usually need only
2 exterior shots each. I bill $125 per location
unless there is a bunch of travel involved.
I go to Hawaii 2 or 3 times a year. If I'm in the
mood for a needed vacation I bill the job at travel
costs only... I love shooting in Hawaii... no bad
weather... it's great.
Terms and Conditions:
If we can get paid within 30 days of delivery that's
good. If it takes longer we need to know that
upfront. If invoices go unpaid then we bill late fees
of $35 every time we send out a new invoice. Clients
who take months to pay kinda get put on a COD basis.
(see below on use without permission fees)
If there are a bunch of expenses up front for a
really big job, models, travel or other stuff (rental
furniture) the we invoice for advances to cover those
things.
CANCELLATIONS:
I never cancel shoot days. So we bill if a date gets
canceled by the client and we don't have enough
notice to book something else. All rental, models,
upfront expenses, and travel are billed at full price
for cancellations when we can't cancel them. Weather
is problem and I try to do whatever I can to deal
with this. Sometimes we just need a shot list and a
deadline and I wait for the weather or the deadline
whichever comes first. If I'm sitting in hotel
waiting for weather to clear for a job I have to bill
something... it's all subject to the situation at hand.
Rights are all negotiable... but this needs to be
determined before we do the job. Copyright remains
with the photographer as per federal law. Use rights
do not transfer until invoices are paid. Use without
permission fees are $1500 per image per use to
discourage use without permission.
NDA's: Usually they are not needed. We keep your
private info private. Most NDA's are written by
attorneys in such a way as to cover way too much
stuff, stuff that is public information anyway, and
they can make the job virtually impossible so let's
talk if this is needed. And the key here is we are
taking photographs to publicize stuff in the first
place so what's the point?
Property releases by the owner, lessor, and/or tenant
are assumed in our work orders. However, the results
of our legal research into this issue has determined
that property has no rights so why the release?
Because other people are demanding it... even though
there is no legal basis for it. So that's the way it is.
Anyway that should give you an idea of what I do.
Let me know if I can help you.