I am musing about contracts, since I am sending out quotes and event photography agreements all day today. That gets me thinking about the work I do.
Some of the work behind the shot…
One though is about my hourly fee. It is $125 plus tax per hour.
Perhaps that sounds like a lot of money, but it is not.
It is not, because it includes, free of extra charge, things like, say for a typical wedding:
- My travel time (often two hours);
- The fee for my assistant;
- The time I spend around the agreement (like when writing proposals);
- My preparation time (a few hours the night before);
- My post-handling time (several hours after I return);
- And especially my post-production editing time, which can be several days;
- Of course the fee also includes the use of all my tools (expensive cameras and ancillary equipment) and its maintenance (just got a camera back from Canon repair!);
- The basic fee also includes a preview web site for a bride’s family to look at (for at least 6 months);
- …and of course all the images supplied to the couple, professionally finished, as large format JPG files. You’re paying for the result. Just like for a lawyer, the cost is not just “the paper she writes the contract on plus the ink”.
For other things I do (like training) there are similar inclusions that the hourly fee pays for: equipment, enormous time writing the courses, feedback,preparation of materials, and many other things included.
Of course I should not need to explain: a plumber also charges an hourly fee, as does a dental hygienist, and no-one wonders why. But now at least you know!