How would you charge for this job?

I been asked by a local botanical garden to come in and photograph something like 50 different flowers and plants. They are looking for 3 different photos of each.

I haven't quoted them anything and still on the fence whether to charge them by the hour or flat rate. If flat rate, what would you charge for doing this?

Oh and they want the RAW files. Which I'm OK with.

Do you mean they do not want any editing?

I would charge hourly on something like this

I calculate my pricing on how much time and effort a job is going to take, so usually some sort of hourly rate. The client is going to want to know a single price for the entire job though. I tell them a price based on how long I think it should take, and explain to them that the price covers up to a certain amount of time. After that an additional hourly charge kicks in. This encourages everyone to get organized and work to make sure the job gets done quickly and smoothly.

Before releasing the raw files I would make sure their reasoning for requiring raw files was sound. I find that many people have just heard that "raw is better", and they don't really understand processing. Also that there will be an additional charge that was not considered in the original estimate if they require me to process the files at a later date. Usually, even if they say they just want the raw files (which I only offer for some sorts of jobs), I include processing in the estimate, and just deliver a set of processed jpegs too. 9 times out of 10 they just end up using the jpegs.

Another vote for hourly rate

My wife would love that job. She was asked to do something similar last year and charged hourly and loved it.

Henry Peach wrote: I calculate my pricing on how much time and effort a job is going to take, so usually some sort of hourly rate. The client is going to want to know a single price for the entire job though. I tell them a price based on how long I think it should take, and explain to them that the price covers up to a certain amount of time. After that an additional hourly charge kicks in. This encourages everyone to get organized and work to make sure the job gets done quickly and smoothly.

Before releasing the raw files I would make sure their reasoning for requiring raw files was sound. I find that many people have just heard that "raw is better", and they don't really understand processing. Also that there will be an additional charge that was not considered in the original estimate if they require me to process the files at a later date. Usually, even if they say they just want the raw files (which I only offer for some sorts of jobs), I include processing in the estimate, and just deliver a set of processed jpegs too. 9 times out of 10 they just end up using the jpegs.

I totally agree.

Personally I will never give away my raw files. The exception is when I shoot with my business partner and he wants to do the processing. I trust him to do an excellent job. Even then it's a rare occasion.

To me raw processing is as much a part of my work as taking the photos themselves.

+1 hourly

Not a bad idea, did you approach them or did they approach you? We have a few locally here that the wife and I visit often. Never thought about leaving my card.

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

Henry Peach wrote: I calculate my pricing on how much time and effort a job is going to take, so usually some sort of hourly rate. The client is going to want to know a single price for the entire job though. I tell them a price based on how long I think it should take, and explain to them that the price covers up to a certain amount of time. After that an additional hourly charge kicks in. This encourages everyone to get organized and work to make sure the job gets done quickly and smoothly.

Before releasing the raw files I would make sure their reasoning for requiring raw files was sound. I find that many people have just heard that "raw is better", and they don't really understand processing. Also that there will be an additional charge that was not considered in the original estimate if they require me to process the files at a later date. Usually, even if they say they just want the raw files (which I only offer for some sorts of jobs), I include processing in the estimate, and just deliver a set of processed jpegs too. 9 times out of 10 they just end up using the jpegs.

I totally agree.

Personally I will never give away my raw files. The exception is when I shoot with my business partner and he wants to do the processing. I trust him to do an excellent job. Even then it's a rare occasion.

To me raw processing is as much a part of my work as taking the photos themselves.

100% . I would never give or show a RAW file to any paying client. Very few images are perfect right out of the can. Added to that giving away your RAW files is like giving away your negatives and all the rights that entails. It means you would NEVER be able to use those images for your portfolio. At least that's what I interpret this to mean.