I've been asked to shoot for a CD cover. I'd like to get some opinions on pricing since the pricing structure is quite different then my normal business. Thanks!
What's the potential market for the CD? Is it from a major label or a small label? If a small label, do they have retail distribution or is the band/performer simply going to sell copies from a website. Are you being hired by the band or by the label? All of these factors come into play.
All of this makes a difference even though your effort might be the same. Small labels generally don't sell a lot of product - the CD may never sell more than a few thousand copies and that's over a period of years.
Price will be determined by :
- Image Use > CD/DVD Music Packaging
- Image size > ?? Full cover - 1/2 - 1/4
- Print Run > ? 10,000
- Duration > ? 1 year
- Territory > ? USA
I use FotoQuote Pro to determine the value of my stock & assignment photos. Here is a range for a 10K-25K press run, in US for one year, full front cover >> $950 - $1,625/photo
Now, if you feel you can push that, go for it. Just keep in mind that the music major can alway send a Pro Photographer to shoot for around $800 a night.
