Day Rates? How Commercial Photographers Charge

[@hatpeach1]

"No rights granted until payment in full." Thanks for that nugget!!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Simple and has helped me

[@dpfreedman]

You've really hit your stride with these videos, Daniel. They're fluff-free, eloquently presented, and packed with useful real-world information from an actual WORKING PRO, not some KZbin dilettante. A big "thank you". Your efforts are much appreciated.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@Omar-gb2tn]

Thank you Sir, finally a video that actually helps understand the business side of photography. Got tired of people babbling on and on about gear, but actually not giving any constructive advice. 👏🏾

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@teleking58]

Great advice. Looking forward to the "consumer" version.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool, Thank You!

[@wolfgangk1]

That was a refreshing departure from the usual gear-head/Photoshop videos. The business side of photography. Most of my work is gallery, so I'm rarely on the hardcore commercial side of the equation. I learned a lot. Thanks.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@carlosdias1940]

I am having a thrill while watching these videos! Great info and what dazzles me is that you are just talking, no script! Amazing! You know you're business! Cheers

[@tbeiber09]

This was super helpful. A way better explanation than I've seen and I'll definitely be looking over my contracts again

[@opqrst7]

More people, both, photographers that work part-time, full-time, as well as, the clients, must watch and understand this: Daily fee + Expenses + USAGE fee !!! Great video. So glad someone speaks out the facts about how things work.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@tedk2814]

There are a lot of "pearls" in this video! Thanks so much for sharing. Experience is the best teacher.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks

[@brettstrickland]

You’re one of the best educators out there where photography and the business side meet. Love your photography and I always learn something new from watching your videos. Thank you. ✌🏼

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks so much!

[@alexwroe9967]

Brilliant. Loved watching this!

[@GrymmsPlace]

Very, very valuable advice. The 'no rights till...' comment is excellent. Thank you for making and posting. Liked. Saved. Favourite.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Great!

[@nicholasschut3317]

Thanks a million from France for sharing your experience Daniel !!!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You for watching

[@motivationalmentors6274]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. This is very helpful!

[@artmaltman]

Important topic, thanks for doing this! Feel free to mention specific numbers for young, experience, or superstar photographers, to give us a sense of what the market is now and what we can aspire to!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Talking exact rates is like talking camera settings. Mostly useless unless you are in the exact same place doing the exact same thing.

[@SilverVoxMusic]

Thanks Daniel. I was over from Norway visiting NYC last weekend and I just had to find Adorama to see if by chance you were there. I didnt see you but I did bump into Dave. Great to have been to the place and see it first hand.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool! Sorry I missed you

[@ashley5130]

THIS WAS BRILLIANT THANK YYOUUUUUU

[@jdjones7065]

Very helpful video, much appreciated. 🙂

[@southerncharity7928]

Love these types of vids. Very insightful. Thank you

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@HIGHTECHREVIEW]

I always enjoy your talks... See you at Adorama again soon.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks! Yes, always bothering John for cool toys 😂

[@willparsons32]

TOTALLY BANG - ON the nail!! and it goes for the same as real estate sales people.. (I'm not one but...) Not every day or second day or fourth, fifth or even a week later do you come in contact with money like if you were getting paid by the hour... People who hire a photographer - regardless if skill level - should be very well aware and prepared to pay a substantial amount of money to have such talent fulfill their promotion or advertising banner's needs. We photographers get paid one day - $10k and six months later, might see another contract worth 5k or whatever... People on the "OUTSIDE" NEED to understand that we do NOT get paid every single day - $80 or $100.00/day like they do... Figure it out ppl! What Daniel Says makes PERFECT sense!!

[@mrbertiewatson]

This is so valuable thank you for posting Daniel!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching

[@xkawi543x]

Great advice Dave. Thank you! Your videos are always informative, and I always find them very useful!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Yes, Dave is pretty awesome. 😝

[@alponca5943]

Oh wow, what an informative video thank you! I'm in my 50's and back in the late 80's we learned as we went along, so glad that in todays world many up and coming creatives can see videos like this one and learned ahead of time. A while back I did work for a local magazine and the rate was in the low $1K for a whole day of shooting the spread and cover(shot on film)and that was just for the photographer they paid the talent on their own. I guess nowadays with digital its a different way of dealing with it. Keep creating great videos Sir!

[@htorres1stk]

Excellent advice, thank you.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@Chriskamaras]

You produce quality content, full of knowledge and are laid back. You should have more subs! Thank you

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks!

[@jeremiahnave4292]

Loved this video. Would love to hear more ideas on wedding, portrait and even car sales web listings since some dealerships are going that route

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Interesting

[@lauriesmith3310]

Sage advice and wise words as always Daniel. I've had a couple of prom shoots where it's just been a case of turn up, take shots, get paid and leave. The highlight of my 'career' so far was to shoot a British bulldog stud, a breeding bitch and a French bulldog stud. The shots were to be used for advertising purposes. No worries with payment, just don't let dog hump your leg, watch out for surprises on the lawn and keep the treats coming.👍

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool

[@manilamartin1001]

Its a great talk. One thing I would add is that for magazines, they already have a set fee for a lot of their work. If it is your first time working for them you can ask how much is their budget for editorial or how much is their paparazzi rate for shooting celebrity parties. I used to pick up work on the side and it really helped me a lot when things were slow. I know in the beginning it is so stressful to find out how much to charge! Thanks for all the advice

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Right, magazines have set rates and then often times have a budget for expenses. And you certainly want to talk about that up front

[@findus605]

Good informative info video Daniel 👍

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@barrystreet2046]

Been through just about all that you said, 40 years later i pick and choose.Its the same here in Australia you have to sit down and think about the cost to you. I've worked for all sorts of clients and they all want it on the cheap., so much for years of experience.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Indeed

[@cowboyyoga]

Great video Daniel! Thanks! Really very helpful points you laid out for us here. )))

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching

[@joshmcdill]

Awesome information, thanks a ton!!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks

[@msfphotography4857]

Great info 👍

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@kageninWork]

Awesome advice

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks!

[@izzy4el]

Excellent video Daniel!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool, thanks for watching.

[@alexdsz1989]

Thank you for the insights! Looking forward for the "consumer" version of this!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Awesome, thanks for watching.

[@mauricebighi2510]

always insightful !

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@MiaogisTeas]

Great tips, Daniel - thank you. It's weird for me because I used to work as an assistant in TV and commercial production 15 or so years ago. After a stint as a teacher, I retired but now have started up a photography business. These days the industry seems to operate so differently (and I've forgotten so much🙄), so having you 'translate' this into modern terms is great!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure! I’d say business in general has changed a lot.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thanks, Daniel! Sounds perfect to me. In my business, it's always "What do you have?", "What do you want?", "When do you want it?", and importantly, as you said, "No intellectual property changes hands until I've been fully paid." I do the same thing with a 50% deposit up front, with the balance due when I'm ready to deliver the files. If you don't follow simple rules like that, you can lose a LOT, and fast!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure

[@Roz-Inspire-Video]

That is so fabulous ... I watch a ton of stuff on KZbin and so appreciate your non-nonsense approach. Great contrasting backdrop by the way :) thanks

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@eltoro3172]

Brilliant insight - a lot of subtlety that I’d have not necessarily picked up on as somebody looking to move from hobby to commercial 👍🏿

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Great!

[@a.escalante8776]

Hello Sir. I've watched hours of your adorama lighting tutorials and appreciate your work and your person.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@andrewchisholm3665]

Great info

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@URallangry]

Thank you so much , Daniel. This is the video I've been waiting for. I come from the world of pro audio (10 + yrs in the live field) and although I understand how this side of things work, there are still so many questions I have simply because it is a different animal. You continue to affirm my instinct and have helped me tremendously. I have signed up and am attending your workshop with Seth at this years Adorama Inspire next month. I look forward meeting you and I apologize in advance for all of the questions I have for you pertaining to the business end of things. Again, thank you!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Awesome, look forward to seeing you there.

[@albertw251]

Great advice!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@EricArtman]

Fascinating insight! Thanks for sharing this Daniel.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@xen908]

Very informative

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@joseuribe1552]

thanks for sharing

[@Selfpowered]

Thanks Daniel! By the way, I got a VR headset today and watched your 360 video with Marissa on it - very cool (but weird to look down and see that I was mounted on a tripod!)

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

😂 awesome

[@davidarmenphoto]

very very helpful

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Great!

[@muddyboy9941]

Really clear and practically useful, thanks !

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@phila6188]

Thank you Daniel for another great video, very informative. I think you have some of the most interesting photography videos, I haven't found anyone else that gives such insight in the photography business. I am not a professional but like to learn about your world.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank you!

[@paulhills1967]

Excellent and very interesting advice. Thanks Daniel.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool, thanks for watching

[@tonyhales-BigT]

Yay, first post!! Super useful as always Daniel. Nice new location, many thanks.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching, got bit by mosquitoes though!

[@offcenterconcepthaus]

Damn good -- golden -- thank you.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@ivan_12345]

I don't know any local magazines that pay photographers. I was once offered 10 usd for a cover, which is even less than travel expenses (not to mention renting a studio, etc.) They just accept TFP shoots, add prepared ads from advertisers and that's it, that's their business model.

[@KAR120C69]

Enjoy these videos with your insights & experience regarding photography business. I'm not doing any "large" projects but what I've experienced you are dead on with how you need to be with a client. Feel if everything that the client & self expect is discussed upfront it makes everything more enjoyable for all. One type of photography that I did in the past and don't believe I'll do again is weddings. I'll work as an assistant or second shooter and let someone else deal with all the details (and headaches) after the wedding day. No problems being given a checklist of things I'm responsible for doing or certain photos that need taken & then later either shadow main or go off to get other shots depending what main photographer wants. And must say I've found most problems come after the wedding day from family (mostly both or one Mom) rather than bride or groom. Go figure

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Just like any part of the business, there are techniques for handling and getting the best results there. I recommend you check out videos by Vanessa Joy to see how she does it and you might find that weddings can be very enjoyable.

[@horandestudios]

Amazing info!!!!!! Would you say this apply for video production as well?

[@c.w.lewisiii7845]

Very informative. Thank you for covering this topic.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@hippopictures]

Thanks so much man. These lesson videos are priceless. How can we determine a proper day rate?

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

That depends a lot on your market and who the client is. A good place to start is to look at high end stock photography prices for licensing and figure it should be more than that for sure

[@tonytechquuo]

Great advice as usual Daniel thanks.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching

[@richardwintle1020]

Great stuff, Daniel. Thanks for this. Lots of good tips to think about.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@LeszekLata]

Great tips as always! Thank you Daniel.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@tylerHphoto]

Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@matteorizzo]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience 🙏🏻

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertleathers5630]

Good info and as a professional student at the school of hard knocks, I recently did a wedding shoot, for a relatives relative. The up front money kept getting delayed, but it was "family" so I stupidly let it go. I did not have the heart to say no wedding day Photos to the bride so I took the photos and was promised by the bride,groom, mother of the bride etc that I would be paid in full as soon as I edited them, an outdoor wedding at 2 pm next to water so there was some editing to do, however my knowledge from Daniel Norton photographer about lighting really helped with the family photos. Needless to say, to keep my relative out of a hat field and McCoy battle, I ended up giving them a cd. When I was working as a mechanic I stopped working on families vehicles on the side for the same reason, you aren't appreciated or compensated for your, time,talent, equipment and skill. After this video I know how to deal with the next photo shoot I do, (hopefully never another wedding, I will refer them to Vanessa Joy!)

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Weddings can be a complicated world for sure

[@atrbear]

Great advise again, as always

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@QuickFinishPR]

Thank you for all your videos Mr Norton!!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@CJMohommed]

When I started (25 years ago) I lost a lot of money and by extension clients from non-payment. The learning curve was steep. Great advice!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure

[@ricaa50]

Thank you Daniel for sharing your experience and knowledge. I find most of your ADORAMA videos entertaining and informative. I appreciate you taking the time to put these out. I have wanted to do some paid shoots but find it hard to estimate. I can see you take a very professional / business approach. I'm going to put my own fee structure together to start. I'm sure it will change over time. Your videos help me to differentiate myself from the Photographers that give their time away.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Awesome!

[@SevenSlotSociety]

Great video! Definitely subbed!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@cjiscurrentlyonline]

Very helpful! Thank you, Daniel.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@edwardperry4416]

Good info, Thank you!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@JeremiahHartmanPhotography]

Thanks for this. Im considering adding commercial work and possibly getting an agent, so this really helped.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Awesome

[@ChamberWorker]

Thanks for the useful content!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching

[@davidcolephoto]

Hey this was really helpful. Thanks Daniel. Happy Memorial Day to you.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@danielleswain2729]

Great advice for the working photographer! I am so glad I can afford to be an amiture photographer.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@fawereldmens9853]

good stuff... Daniel my mentor, i've learned so much from you.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Awesome

[@AtlantaTerry]

A couple years ago I was watching a documentary on TV about a New York photographer. One job they were scheduled to photograph included a Big Name singer. Everything was set up, the crew was waiting... and waiting... and waiting... Finally the Big Name showed up for the shoot. The problem was that the catering company, crew, studio rental, equipment rental, etc. were now on overtime rates. BUT the photographer had not included anything in his contract that covered all that overtime! The long and short of it was that the photographer had to pay ALL of the overtime costs out of his pocket which meant he actually lost money. So that taught me a lesson about including overtime considerations in my quotes. Especially if the shoot includes a Big Name. Terry Thomas... the photographer Atlanta, Georgia USA

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure

[@samhardy2479]

Good job. Many factors to take into consideration. Thanks

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure

[@TheMiniatureStudio]

Just started to really get into photography and one day want to make it a career so this video has been very helpful as have all of your others - thank you very much ☺️📷👍🏻

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Awesome

[@herrkasra]

I wish I could work with you, I am a beauty retoucher from Asia. I really like how you cover things that matter. Thanks for your help.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@JamesLee-wf5ym]

Wonderful! Real good stuff! I hope that you can do a video on timing of a commercial shoot, that is from first connecting with a client until the project is complete. It seems to me that depending on the size and type of the project it can take 1-3 months, depending on negotiations, scheduling, etc. Would be great to get our real world experience knowledge.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Hmm interesting

[@stewsview5164]

This is all stuff I have in my contract. I do not let them take all the image on a hard drive though. They license the images they want after reviewing on my website. I have them as low res so they can download and use for mock up but to get the high res images they pick them and let me know. I retouch them and deliver the final high res images with the usage rights as a separate document (with the images represented on the document). I only had a large book publisher take the images once and then worked with their license for usage. They rate was fair and the art director was very trustworthy. Everything else has been smaller companies where I have to educate them on usage rights payment on top of my rate to just create the images. Anywho... it is always good to hear validation from others that my process is sound and is how others work. =) love your videos. thanks for sharing.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool!

[@stewsview5164]

Oh! Would it be possible to get a few photographers on at a round table discussion to talk about current magazines and magazine pay rates. I have been hearing a lot that magazines don't pay and that more and more published paper magazines are asking for photographers to pay to be published. My circle of photographer friends is small so it would be great to hear from a larger selection of people who are actively being published and hear their tales and what the rates are and what they have experienced. Thanks. =)

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Check out photo brigade - Robert has tons of magazine photographers on.

[@yangyin09u]

What percentage do established photographers mark up expenses now?

[@benparkinson8314]

Interesting

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@EnriquePage]

As always, amazing video Daniel! Thanks a lot! BTW, volume is really low on this video, it sounds great, but I have to crank volume up to 100%

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Weird, thanks!

[@josephfriedman5009]

Thanks for dealing with money and the real world. I find this super helpful. I work in the video corporate/documentary world and I have dealt with clients who are overseas. Getting money up front via money transfers to my bank account is very helpful. Or PayPal. It can be tricky dealing with a client who is completely out of your reach, as in another country, if you need to sue.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure. Overseas clients can be tricky

[@shawnboisclair3696]

I will share this with my son in Brazil, he has a photography business. This was a good overview and had helpful advice and ideas. Thanks. How often do you do the Adorama On Set events? Our son is coming here for his sisters wedding and we are going to be in NYC in September. Thanks

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Usually 2 times per month

[@bethramirez7429]

This info is invaluable, thank you so much!!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@oneeyedphotographer]

Thank you for that, Daniel. This is all new to me. Perhaps this could be the topic for a future video. I am an amateur landscape photographer who would like to be a little less amateur. I plan to start publishing videos, some of which will be somewhat tourist in nature. I intend to shoot B roll that could be commercially useful, for example, I check into a hotel, but there would be little or no branding, beyond identifying locations, in my published videos. I intend to have B roll that would allow me to make branded versions upon request. If I were commissioned to make such a video, the absolute minimum charge would be sufficient to provide me a livable income, were it repeated often enough, over time. However, I don't plan on seeking commissioned work, I hope to work with my accumulated stock. Do you think this feasible?, and how do you suggest I arrive at a reasonable charge?

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

That type of thing is very complex and has many layers to it for sure.

[@LOGOASSASSIN]

Interesting. I'm was an art director and creative director in UK for a long time and in the 90s £2,500 was standard day rate for an average photographer doing national press & poster campaign shoots. Many charge a lot more than that. I wish I had paid more attention to the tech that way I would have learnt something about actually taking pics rather than just having ideas.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool! I’d say having the great ideas is at least half the battle

[@chasingvenusfilmarts]

I see DNP vid and I "like" before I even watch. (You know you'll learn and enjoy) :-) Thank you Sir.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@EdwardKilner]

A tremendously interesting video. It did raise a number of questions. Do you use a spreadsheet to help you create the estimate? If so, is it based on a template we can source? (Maybe you want to sell one of these.) Do you show the client the markup on each item? If not, how do you handle that troublesome “I had to pay a bit more than the estimate “ situation? Same template question for the contract or does the client provide the draft?

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

I use a word processor- but photo estimating software does exist. You should check prices before putting in the estimate- only should your charge, not the markup - typically the estimate will allow for up to a 10% increase in costs without client approval - typically the signed estimate is enough of a contract for the work I do

[@ThePanacon]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I will take your advice, add some applicable laws from Germany and review my contracts now. Some magazines try to pay you with exposure. I did that once and I had the cover of a fashion magazine plus an 8-page feature in the same publication which made me feel very proud back then, yet it didn't pay my bills. I think one needs to create work that serepates you from what others put out in order to have more success and to be able to make a living off it.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure

[@marylandconnoisseur]

Bravo

[@darc1027]

awesome stuff. do you have any advice for getting clients in the real estate photography field? thanks for all of the great videos

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Find realtors, contact them with images.

[@michaelfrymus]

This is the way I do things... I have an invoice that contains every aspect of the production, everyone and everything that needs to be hired or paid for, included my creative fee & my licencing fee (50% deposit, 50% about 1 week prior to shoot). The only thing not included in the invoice is my post-production, as I charge the client per photo edited. So they do not receive any photos I shot until after the shoot. After the shoot I send them proofs (unedited low-res, watermarked images) and the client then select which photo(s) they want. The selected photos are invoiced and once paid, they are edited and delivered. Thoughts on this method? And for licencing, when/how should you be sending the invoice for that? I have it included in the first invoice, but maybe I should move it to the post-production invoice? And for contracts, is the licencing contract separate or can I add it all together with my shooting contract agreement?