People need to know one fact. We do not shoot everyday. There is data show that average number of gigs a freelance photographer can have per year is around 60-80. that is about 6-7 a month. some month you have more but some month is really slow. so you can get an idea how much you can make a month. if you charge $500 a day. You make about $3500 a month. if you only charge $300, you only barely make $2000. that is dismal. not to mention many of gigs we do is not full day job. many are 2-4 hours. and we need buy gears and cover the cost of running bussiness. Go figure out how much you need to charge. When I started I thought I can charge less and take more jobs. That is the biggest delusion. There is only certain demanding of this service. For this occupation to survive, we can only charge more not less.
Good point. When I worked as a grip (in the '90's) I had a good year if I worked 100 to 125 days out of the year. And I had to pay my own taxes and health care etc.
Exaclty, there are SOOO many things that end up in the expenses that are unrealized. Batteries, EQUIPMENT, dropbox, music license subscription, gas to and from jobs, time spent in meetings, time spent on email, drone licenses, editing software, having to actually go and GET your job rather than a 9-5 where the job is alwayssss there for you, and our experience and skill. That is why we can't charge cheap. Right now I'm charging around $35-40/hr because I'm newer and in my beginning several months and building my clientele, but eventually as my skills and clientele and reputation grows...I will strategize and increase my pricing. SO far so good. The goal for now is 2-3 Jobs a week at approx. 400 bucks is $42k-$62k a year. I'm also doing real estate photography and kinda anything local business's need via Video, photo, drone services.
Kai Liu Visual very true in your figures for sure . I’ve been doing the lower end of this pricing game . It is killing me and I hate it because with lower prices people think you will go even lower . I’ve found to stand strong and price to make a living and not starve .
Yes, this is very accurate. I like to be even more conservative and say that 50% of my time is working on projects and the other 50% is biz development, spec work, quoting, admin etc. The reason also is because work isn’t always consistent so you need to have a rainy day find. Plus, in my opinion 3500$ per month is still in the low end to pay yourself and run a business. Every three years it’s a good idea to be replacing gear, plus your paying for an office space, insurance, repairs, phone, internet, car, gas, etc. These are things a company covers if your an employee. It adds up.
Best video on pricing i’ve seen. I like your honesty and the way you explained everything. Most videos on this topic seem like they are just flexing about how much they get paid and are unrealistic for people like me who are just starting out. Subbed!
The advice of work for free if you TRUST them is so underrated. You will be taken advantage of by many people they will try. Be a shark when you are facing a shark.
This was really great stuff. Thanks so much for making this. Very very helpful. Would you be able to do a video from your experience on HOW to get/find, and or advertise work?
Great video - I'd love to see a bit of a breakdown or templates that you use (or just as a demonstration) for things such as drafting up a contract for the work (what it looks like and what to include), how to create an invoice and breakdown of that, and things such as that? Great content, keep it up and I look forward to your future work!
Great thoughts on the fact that every project and line of work is different. Only thing to suggest on top of that is track your hours. Even if you don't charge hourly, knowing how many hours it took you to finish a project from concept to delivery will help you know if what your charging is a livable rate.
I find that personally, Undercharging works good for me. Overcharging Will most often leave your clients wondering if they Will ever hire you again. But undercharging allows future projects with the same clients that you have previously worked with.
Thank you for sharing your experience Stonz, can anyone tell me what to say when your client asks you "why you charge this price?" should I price every detail in the bill for the client?
Bing Liang know why you charge what you charge, then just tell them the truth. For our team we charge our hourly rate to include labor, equipment, production expenses, and taxes; and that's what we tell our client. If they want to know the deep specifics they are most likely penny Pinchers and will be a very unpleasant client to work with.
I've heard that the rule of thumb for an experienced videographer/editor is a $1,000 per minute of finished video. What are your thoughts on that guideline?
That would be like 120.000$ for a feature. Editors doesnt get paid even nearly that much. High end cinematographers like Lubezki can earn 20.000$ a day tho.
The 1,000$ per minute rule is based on the whole production cost (not 120,000$ for an editor to cut a feature) 1000$ per minute is sometimes accurate but even 1,500$ per finished minute is more accurate these days I think?
You should do the other way around not how much am i worth because i am priceless but how much is the client worth. I think generally soeaking they re hardly above 50 bucks
People need to know one fact. We do not shoot everyday. There is data show that average number of gigs a freelance photographer can have per year is around 60-80. that is about 6-7 a month. some month you have more but some month is really slow. so you can get an idea how much you can make a month. if you charge $500 a day. You make about $3500 a month. if you only charge $300, you only barely make $2000. that is dismal. not to mention many of gigs we do is not full day job. many are 2-4 hours. and we need buy gears and cover the cost of running bussiness. Go figure out how much you need to charge. When I started I thought I can charge less and take more jobs. That is the biggest delusion. There is only certain demanding of this service. For this occupation to survive, we can only charge more not less.
Good point. When I worked as a grip (in the '90's) I had a good year if I worked 100 to 125 days out of the year. And I had to pay my own taxes and health care etc.
Exaclty, there are SOOO many things that end up in the expenses that are unrealized. Batteries, EQUIPMENT, dropbox, music license subscription, gas to and from jobs, time spent in meetings, time spent on email, drone licenses, editing software, having to actually go and GET your job rather than a 9-5 where the job is alwayssss there for you, and our experience and skill. That is why we can't charge cheap. Right now I'm charging around $35-40/hr because I'm newer and in my beginning several months and building my clientele, but eventually as my skills and clientele and reputation grows...I will strategize and increase my pricing. SO far so good. The goal for now is 2-3 Jobs a week at approx. 400 bucks is $42k-$62k a year. I'm also doing real estate photography and kinda anything local business's need via Video, photo, drone services.
Kai Liu
Kai Liu Visual very true in your figures for sure . I’ve been doing the lower end of this pricing game . It is killing me and I hate it because with lower prices people think you will go even lower . I’ve found to stand strong and price to make a living and not starve .
Yes, this is very accurate. I like to be even more conservative and say that 50% of my time is working on projects and the other 50% is biz development, spec work, quoting, admin etc. The reason also is because work isn’t always consistent so you need to have a rainy day find.
Plus, in my opinion 3500$ per month is still in the low end to pay yourself and run a business. Every three years it’s a good idea to be replacing gear, plus your paying for an office space, insurance, repairs, phone, internet, car, gas, etc. These are things a company covers if your an employee. It adds up.
When the only thing you charge is the batteries :(
Instablaster.
Best video on pricing i’ve seen. I like your honesty and the way you explained everything. Most videos on this topic seem like they are just flexing about how much they get paid and are unrealistic for people like me who are just starting out. Subbed!
Very good prospective commentary.
The advice of work for free if you TRUST them is so underrated. You will be taken advantage of by many people they will try. Be a shark when you are facing a shark.
This was really great stuff. Thanks so much for making this. Very very helpful. Would you be able to do a video from your experience on HOW to get/find, and or advertise work?
Great video - I'd love to see a bit of a breakdown or templates that you use (or just as a demonstration) for things such as drafting up a contract for the work (what it looks like and what to include), how to create an invoice and breakdown of that, and things such as that? Great content, keep it up and I look forward to your future work!
Use Microsoft access, great for invoices and quotes. FREE template.
Thank you Stronz. This video covered the meat and potatoes of how the industry works.
lol not quite, but def very useful information
Great thoughts on the fact that every project and line of work is different. Only thing to suggest on top of that is track your hours. Even if you don't charge hourly, knowing how many hours it took you to finish a project from concept to delivery will help you know if what your charging is a livable rate.
I find that personally, Undercharging works good for me.
Overcharging Will most often leave your clients wondering if they Will ever hire you again.
But undercharging allows future projects with the same clients that you have previously worked with.
Dude, you are an excellent resource. Much respect to you.
legitumately good talk - thx!
Wow! Best video on the topic, it made me think of things that I didn't even think about.. great job and thank you for sharing!
Great advice. It works for any freelance work too
This video really helped me price my work . Thanks so much ! Great channel I subscribed !
Thank you so much! We have been feeling taken advantage lately so this really helps!
Which Microfone did you use for this video. It sound absolutely amazing. Better than anything i have ever heard before.
Agree. What mic are you using?
Yes, what mic are you using? I personally use a rode film maker kit 👍
Sarcasm?
Thanks! This helped me figure out what to charge for my first freelance gig
Glad it helped!
Great advice! Do you have any tips on how to find and secure clients and gigs? Do you cold-call? Mass email?
Thank you for sharing your experience Stonz, can anyone tell me what to say when your client asks you "why you charge this price?" should I price every detail in the bill for the client?
Bing Liang know why you charge what you charge, then just tell them the truth. For our team we charge our hourly rate to include labor, equipment, production expenses, and taxes; and that's what we tell our client. If they want to know the deep specifics they are most likely penny Pinchers and will be a very unpleasant client to work with.
Thank you for sharing this, you are always very helpful.
+Nick Alexander glad it was helpful!
Thank you so k ch for the info!! Helped out big time. Peace!
Very well explained. Thanks a lot!
Thanks for the video! :D
Very usefull, I'm feeling like that too these days, thanks for sharing bro.
I've heard that the rule of thumb for an experienced videographer/editor is a $1,000 per minute of finished video. What are your thoughts on that guideline?
That would be like 120.000$ for a feature. Editors doesnt get paid even nearly that much. High end cinematographers like Lubezki can earn 20.000$ a day tho.
Mats Lønne there is an efficiency of scale though. A five minute film is more per minute than a 120 minute film.
The 1,000$ per minute rule is based on the whole production cost (not 120,000$ for an editor to cut a feature) 1000$ per minute is sometimes accurate but even 1,500$ per finished minute is more accurate these days I think?
Really nice summary :) Thanks.
Excellent advice ... cheers buddy.
Excellent video dude, subscribed
Hal Jordan in the background ftw
Great advice!!!!
Great video, great advice!
Thumbs Up you took 14 min to tell me to price it out for yourself....LOL 😝😄😅😂😅😎😎
You should do the other way around not how much am i worth because i am priceless but how much is the client worth. I think generally soeaking they re hardly above 50 bucks
Dude! You have ground hum! Nice video...thank you.
I have sky squeak...thank you.
*Read More*
Wow.. this was very helpful
Dope video thanks
Well Said
I'm curious . How'd you get the purple background ?
Nelly chanelle he probably has a purple lamp light and on his camera he has an LED light. I believe that's what he did.
Nelly chanelle purple light against white wall and furniture
Rambling on and on while saying next to nothing.
Yes, but also no. Try listening and absorbing again :). It’s there, you just gotta sift through.
nice voice too