Karen Wattie said to Bob Gearhart at 01-09-03  13:18
 Subject: out of left field/Bob4

 Hi Karen

 -> How much money will they make by using your picture as opposed to how much
 -> money will they make if they don't use your picture?  

 KW> Since the word "promotional" was being used, I assume
they want it for
 KW> some sort of money making purposes.  I doubt that there would be much
 KW> money involved though, and this person seems to be as unexperienced at
 KW> what ever he has in mind as I am at supplying what he needs.  That's 
 KW> one of the reasons I asked the question.  Otherwise, it's like the
 KW> blind leading the blind.  If neither of us knows what we are doing, the
 KW> whole project might just go down the drain.

 If it's a startup who will only have a marketplace in the small farming
 communities surrounding your town, then I don't see as how he could
 afford to pay much in the way of a high price. If you want the work
 more for where it may lead than for the actual profit generated right
 now, then have an honest discussion with the person about what is
 involved in time and materials.  Remember, with a husband who brings
 in the groceries, you have a great deal of leeway in your pricing,
 You are sort of a modern day Michelangelo with a rich patron, free to
 let your spirit fly, having no worries about getting the beans to put
 on the table and chopping the wood to heat the house.
 
 -> there are no shortages of pretty pictures. Price depends on what it is a
 -> picture of, and how unique that picture is.

 KW> Oh hey, now you have me thinking of another project.  I have a friend
 KW> who has just recently purchased a resort.  He is thinking of making up
 KW> a new brochure.  Maybe I could get in on that too.  I do know more
 KW> about producing brochures than he does (having done that for the karate
 KW> club).  I took a couple of pictures at the property recently, and gave
 KW> him a couple of digital prints.  He was impressed and wanted to know
 KW> what kind of camera he would need to get pictures like that  (for
 KW> those who can't see that....I'm grinning).

 That's another project and the sort of thing I was thinking of in my
 reply above.  You should sit down and discuss the project on a time
 and material basis.  First talk with your printer to find your material
 cost for hundreds/thousands/ten thousands of prints so you are armed
 with the your cost information you'll need when you approach the
 fellow.  Don't forget to include the cost and time for the chauffeur.

 I once had a company come to me wanting a film done. They asked how
 much I would charge to make one for them.  This was back in the days
 of shooting then having the film processed and a work print made, then
 taking the work print around to the sound houses to have the dubbing
 done, hiring models, renting sound camera and such cost.   When they
 heard my off the wall price given over a few beers, they balked, saying
 no way would they allow me to rob them..

 The company was a small foundry operation with a plant and headquarters
 here in Michigan, a plant in Pennsylvania and one in West Virginia. The
 film they wanted made was to be used to show prospective employees what
 the work involved, They had a high cost hiring people who would come to
 work for a few days, then say, whew, this sucks, I quit.

 Several days later they contacted me again and asked for a realistic
 price.  At that point I told them ok, I would work for time and
 cost.  I then say down and detailed the probable expenses and the
 amount of time each would incurred.  When they found out my off the
 wall bar price was several hundred dollars less than the time and
 material cost, they decided they couldn't afford to have the movie
 made.

 This is how I feel you should approach your prospective client, on a
 time and material basis until you gain a little experience and are more
 comfortable with the process.  As one who has expressed an
 apprehension about sticking a camera in someone's face, or doesn't want
 to draw attention to themselves by having others see you are taking
 pictures of them, I think you might have a few personal hurdles to jump
 here too Karen.

 Bob 4




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