I am in the same position. I do video editing full time and photography on my own. I was asked to take photos here and there and they loved them....As time went and I kept taking photos my flash died so I stated I can't do the job without a flash so the company bought me a 580...more time went and wear and tear added u on my equipment so I talked them into buying a 5D MKII that I now use for all company shots and personal use. My new MKIII just sits in my bag now lol So I guess I am happy to do it for my job as long as they pay for the wear and tear or buy me equipment needed. So now in my job description it mentions company photographer lol.
Not bad since I got a new 580, 5D MKII and a new Mac Book Pro haha
Jonesy wrote:
I am in the same position. I do video editing full time and photography on my own. I was asked to take photos here and there and they loved them....As time went and I kept taking photos my flash died so I stated I can't do the job without a flash so the company bought me a 580...more time went and wear and tear added u on my equipment so I talked them into buying a 5D MKII that I now use for all company shots and personal use. My new MKIII just sits in my bag now lol So I guess I am happy to do it for my job as long as they pay for the wear and tear or buy me equipment needed. So now in my job description it mentions company photographer lol.
Not bad since I got a new 580, 5D MKII and a new Mac Book Pro haha...Show more →
This is the way to do it. If you want to take the pictures say so. But get the rules straight now. Go to your boss and say that you want to do it, but that you have some concerns.
1. Insurance.
2. Wear and tear on gear. (gear hire fee per day)
3. Processing Time.
4. Software.
I'd propose that if they can cover those things, give you the time off to process the images at home and possibly get you some software or training courses that you keep, that you'd become the company photographer. They save, you get some freebees and a tax deduction for your gear. Also get usage rights for self promotion.
Would you make more doing the photo's then your normal work? If so, you have two choices.
1. Take vacation time and charge the appropriate amount.
2. Charge a rental fee on equipment, or have them rent the equipment and do it on the clock. All post processing on the clock, etc...
With that said, mixing work like this is like doing business with family. Someone isn't going to be happy. It can be tough spot that I would think twice about getting any further into. I hate to have you turn down an opportunity, but just think about it long and hard before jumping in.
The same thing happened to me in 1974 (things don't change much, do they?). I had a very good job, not as a photographer. My employer wanted me to do a lot of the photography for his company. He gave me the equipment necessary & I was delighted to do the work. It just made my job more interesting. I don't know if he saved that much money having me do it. I was probably paid a lot more than a lot of photographers, and did not feel as if the company was taking advantage of me. BUT if I had been paid a low salary, I would have asked for a bonus for doing it. The whole thing becomes a part of the total value you have to your company. If I liked my job, I would be as valuable to them as possible, especially in this economy.
I see a clear difference between the first product shot and the request to do the Board.
I think that you are being asked to do something beyond your normal job, beyond what you were hired for, and therefore are entitled to some extra compensation. The price they paid the pro last year is the most you could realistically ask for. I would guess that the reason they asked you to do the shoot is because they believe they can save some money without sacrificing quality. I wouldn't price the work based on the cost of renting equipment because that neglects the value that your skills and experience bring to the table. The company can save money by letting you do as much as possible of the work "on the clock". But you are still doing something over and above your regular duties. They should recognize this and be willing to work out a mutually agreeable way to even the scales. Might be best to get something that is equally valuable to you year after year, you can only learn so many new software programs and take so many courses. I'd go for some extra vacation time myself, or maybe a four day work week whenever you do a photo shoot for them.
Don't do it unless you are paid fairly, over and above your salary. A few snaps now and then is one thing but annual report photography is another. Who ever is designing the annual report won't be happy to hear the words, "oh, we've got a guy here in the office who'll take all the pictures". Designers get this all the time. The client is trying to cut costs and too often cuts out the pro photography. The designers work suffers in the end also. The whole project suffers. Most people may not be able to put their finger on exactly why their competitors annual report or web site looks better.
If you are up to the task you must be fairly paid.
If the photography is worth $1500 and takes you say 3 hours to shoot, deduct 3 hours of your normal salary from the invoice. And make clear to your boss the cost of your camera gear, lighting, computer, software etc. and POST Processing on your own time all come into play when you quote on the job. You've invested thousands of dollars in your hobby. If your boss wants you to do professional photography you should be paid a professional rate. If you do this job for nothing, you'll be asked to do ALL their photography for nothing. They know the cost of hiring a professional.
