Posted by Kah Kit Yoong on March 16, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Just as I was starting to get some sort of handle around the business of photography I get another curve ball. I have been invited to be a guest speaker in Asia to address a photography club. The subject will be travel photography and my experience with the Canon 1DsMkIII (sponsored by Canon of course). The talk will last 1 hour. Of course, travel and accommodation will be arranged for me, but I'm wondering what to charge. With the travel it will be at least 2 days of my time. Then there is the preparation time for the talk. Anyone had any experience with this sort of thing? Although it's only an hour talk should I charge for 2 days? I haven't committed to it yet. Thanks in advance.
We have hourly and day rates for travel, as well as for shooting. Canon does lots of this kind of thing, so I'm sure they have a standard pay structure. I'd simply ask them what is their usual pay structure before accepting. If it's agreeable to you, you're in. If it's not agreeable, negotiate.
Posted by Kah Kit Yoong on March 16, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Hank I've found that in previous work in Asia, they usually prefer me to come up with the first offer.
Mmmm. I'd forgotten that this was being done in Asia, and probably through their Asia offices. I had your experience with the government in China and with both government and private companies in Japan. But that was long, long ago, so my rates would be woefully low today, though they would be quite pleased if you proffered them.
I will say that the Chinese government at that time (1980-81) was cash poor, while hungry for services. They weren't willing and probably weren't able to pay me all that much, but quickly accepted my counteroffer to be taken on sight seeing and photo tours in addition to their fee, as an alternative to demanding more money. They jumped on it like a starving dog on a bone, and I spent every Sunday touring the immediate vicinity, plus two full weeks of touring after the work was done- all at their expense. Curtain cars, top hotels, guides and interpreters for the duration. Pretty fair compensation for two month's work!
With the Japanese companies and government it was cash on the barrel head.
Decide how much recompense is necessary for your time. Don't get into the trap of letting 'free accomodation and travel expenses' being a factor underselling your fee. Forget the 'gain' of the former and charge as you normally would for 2 days. Your expertise is worth a whole lot and it is too easy to undervalue your work - you will be surprised by how much people will pay for quality presentations. If you are getting paid well you will put all your effort into the endevour and the results will show. If you accept a pitance, your results likely reflect what you were paid. Darwin
BTW, are you going to tell the truth about the focus problems with the Mark III??? Don't get me started about Canon and quality control! Darwin
Posted by Kah Kit Yoong on March 17, 2008 at 3:45 AM
Thanks for your replies. Darwin, what you say makes a lot of sense. As for the autofocus, I thought it only affected the 1DMkIII and not the 1DsMkIII. Have you had problems with your 1DsMkIII focusing. I know you had an 'accident' with yours.
Discussion
7 repliesI will say that the Chinese government at that time (1980-81) was cash poor, while hungry for services. They weren't willing and probably weren't able to pay me all that much, but quickly accepted my counteroffer to be taken on sight seeing and photo tours in addition to their fee, as an alternative to demanding more money. They jumped on it like a starving dog on a bone, and I spent every Sunday touring the immediate vicinity, plus two full weeks of touring after the work was done- all at their expense. Curtain cars, top hotels, guides and interpreters for the duration. Pretty fair compensation for two month's work!
With the Japanese companies and government it was cash on the barrel head.