Been asked to photography a graduation ball 400+ people...

[devs]

Hi guys I've been ask to photograph a local graduation ball - I've never done anything like this before and was wondering if anyone reading has any tips on how to cost something like this?

My gut reaction would be to offer my services for free and make money on the prints? I would snap the people arriving at the event then provided a web gallery for people to place orders afterward.

Do these prices seem okay and does anyone know where to buy the black (school photo type) card mounts from?

Black Card Mounted Print
5x7 £15
8x6 £20
10x8 £25
16x12 £35
20x16 £55

Many thanks for any help.

Devs

[hot-fuzz]

If you can get paid an hourly rate then brilliant, but the norm is to make your money from flogging the prints either on the night (hard, but with impulse buying) or afterwards (easy but might not go to your site).

If you want to do it and get the most profit, offer them online and forget the mounting board, just package them up nicely and post them out after you have had them sent to you.

You could even drop all the prices by £5.01 making them seem even more appealing and STILL make alot of money.

5x7 - £9.99
8x6 - £14.99 looks cheap, but isnt that much cheaper.

Just my opinion of course.

Tobers is the man to talk to, he has done something similar recently. Im doing a couple next year, so ask me in 12 months.

[devs]

Excellent many thanks for the quick reply mate.

I fully agree with dropping the price/mounts - it makes sense.

Have you done something similar to this before? I ask because I'm interested in knowing how to deal with the printing of the photos afterwards? My initial reaction would be to create a watermarked up web gallery via Lightroom with individual photo refs. Take the orders via paypal and print via photobox. Would I need a cut off date or just hold on a few days before placing the order for the bulk of the prints?

Thanks again.

Devs.

P.S. Just spotted you've not done this before Will try and track down Tobers...

[Tobers]

I encourage you to get paid by the hour with a minimum of 2 hours. I charge a straight £50/hour (plus VAT) plus mileage. When I've done these things, photo sales after the event are generally poor. Many people have their own cameras with them and use those pics rather than paying for yours.

Also, get your money in advance, and get something in writing from whomever is paying you.

There's also nothing to stop you putting pics on your website to sell from there as well.

[devs]

Thanks for looking in Tobers and I really I appreciate your info.

I've already got back to the contact offering the services for free with the intention of selling prints afterwards (I haven't mentioned costs yet). However I'm considering bringing a mate of mine and operating a no camera event and frisking people on entrance to ensure exclusive after sales.

We'll see how I get on its early days and I haven't got the job yet.

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by devs

However I'm considering bringing a mate of mine and operating a no camera event and frisking people on entrance to ensure exclusive after sales.

LOL. I could see that going down well!

[kBm]

Originally Posted by devs

However I'm considering bringing a mate of mine and operating a no camera event and frisking people on entrance to ensure exclusive after sales.

Originally Posted by eddiewood

LOL. I could see that going down well!

thinking the same thing!

Do you need the permssion of the venue to do that? Also, i wouldn't expect a return booking for next years grad ball.....

[devs]

hahaha - yeah most defiantly wouldn't get away with it! Sounds good in practice though

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by devs

hahaha - yeah most defiantly wouldn't get away with it! Sounds good in practice though

I was going to volunteer my services to do the frisking

[senu]

Originally Posted by eddiewood

I was going to volunteer my services to do the frisking

A man of many talents then?