p.1 #1 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
I know this is a difficult quesiton as things vary so much regionally, but I've been asked to quote a local firefighters union a price for providing a portrait shoot for 30 firefighters (individual photos), that will be made into a single 4x6 of each with me photoshopping in their name and rank at the bottom of the image. These are so they can hang them on signboards at the station. Families will have the option to purchase additional photos through me. I need to quote for the shoot and the 4x6's. Anyone have some ideas or experience with this?
Thx.
p.1 #2 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
For bigger jobs like this you have to consider your time, travel, etc, and quote based on that. I charge $90 for a quick studio headshot session. So, if these guys each came to the studio individually, on different days, I guess I'd be quoting them......$2700.
But obviously I give group discounts. If I were to quote them, for example going down to their location and shooting them all there, I'd tell them I would setup for the afternoon, to give everyone a chance to make it for their shot. I'd charge them $400 as a half-day rate, and probably another $180 for 3 hours post-work, and I'd give them the prints. I'd also tell the families they could have 50% off my normal price for small unmounted prints (if I tried to sell them full price, they wouldn't buy them, and many would just scan the ones I gave to the dept.). I'd probably round it up and say $650 for the whole job, finished and retouched prints delivered. Most commercial photogs would probably say I am way undercharging for this job.
p.1 #3 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
How much for the re-shoot?
The fire bell is going to ring and everybody will depart to fight the fire. Only half kidding about this. Might as well mention it to them before you start.
p.1 #4 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
Will you have just a one time shoot, or will you have to show up a couple of times when they arrive for their shifts? I would iron this out ahead of time and figure that 30 people aren't all going to make one appointment - maybe plan for 2 trips?
p.1 #8 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
^^. Full time Career Firefighter and EMT-IV here, $9.86 an hr, 48/72 hours a week. $28k a Year.
Not something you do for money..Ask Any firefighter. Period.
National avg is 32k low, 58k at the top.(And thats after 15 years and being a captain locally)
So No, We don't get paid Very well. Both my parents are Firefighters, So I guess It runs in my family tradition.
We get paid for what we do, But remember, We also get paid for what we are Willing to do.
Anyway, Todd seems to have already answered your question.
p.1 #9 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
It seems like a group of firefighters could develop into an on-going job. I wonder about doing a flat rate based on per person for a group. LIke $30 each based on group prices and $5.00 per print when ordered at the time the entire batch is printed. That would provide a profit of around $1,000 – enough to do a great job, feel good about it and pays some bills. Perhaps add an option of $50 for single shots in the future when new firefighters are hired.
When quoting for the singles in the proposal it illustrates a small unit price for groups and encourages the union to batch to save money. That single smaller cost adds up, but is generous when seen as a single number. This formula can be varied by the location. The proposal indicates your flexibility and willingness to take care of the group. That sends the message you might want to create an on-going relationship. This is the kind of work that once the connection is made creates more.
Maybe do something special for the wording. Like adding the official symbol for the fire department with their names. Something that take 5 minutes in photoshop that doesn't really cost you, but can create more reason for them to come back. Then move on to the police union and etc. Maybe city services as a client. Pay some bills on a regular basis, work with some good people, and get you connected.
I was a pay call firefighter putting myself through design school. Even became Captain. Provided many fond and a few harsh memories. Certainly put a worth on the service. Even if you do only this one photo assignment, it will stick with you. If you have kids be sure to include them somehow. Makes me nostalgic just thinking about it.
p.1 #10 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
amonroe1 wrote:
well they do get paid, but i disagree on the Very well
It depends where you are a firefighter...
The Daily News analysis found:
56 firefighters earned at least $100,000 in overtime on top of their annual salaries last year, up from three in 1999 and 10 in 2005.
The average Los Angeles firefighter earned about $36,500 in overtime in 2008, compared with $29,000 in 1999. Their average salary and overtime compensation totaled $117,000.
The department's top earner racked up a total of $570,276 in overtime in the last three years, including $206,685 in 2006. His three-year overtime total was nearly double his base salary for that period.
As for the what the job is worth in one post some one gave a range from $2700 to $650...
p.1 #12 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
$0.00.
If it has been at least 5 years since their last shoot I do it absolutely free. I do the shoot and a composite for the department at no charge. I only make money off individual orders.
Many firefighters get paid by the call in the tune of $10 a call. Hardly covers gas and expenses. No matter what they're getting paid, how would you feel if they were not there?
p.1 #14 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
JPJ2007 wrote:
Thats the very top extreme.... top 50 firefighters. Must be nice. The rest of us still make 32,000. lol gah I'd love to make 50 or 60k lol
50 or 60 sounds about right, but the avg for LAFD (with overtime) was $117,000, not too bad!
p.1 #16 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
I will be honest… .charge them nothing for the visit. Let them get the pics for their files “just in case.” when there is an accident they will have their “death portrait” (that is really what it is called).
Then if they want to buy the image, you can sell them at normal portrait prices.
MEANWHILE, you use that time to get leads and contacts for weddings and senior portraits (which makes much more money).
We did this for a small town fire hall. I ended up shooting a couple of dozen towns. For 3 hours work, I made about $2,900 each day in portrait sales, but ten times that much in follow on work (which also turned into more work after that).
p.1 #17 · How much to charge firefighter portraits?
I like DragonflyDM idea but charge setup fee of $90.00 and half day of shooting and processing of $90.00, which is half price for me. The 4x6 of each person I would charge $3.00 apiece. But, let the person in charge know you will be heading out business cards or flyers to the crew for other business. Also, if they want to buy a image after your first 4x6 charge them your normal price for what size they want.
While they have a hard job sometimes, they do get paid VERY well.