This is such a good video, something so simple can make a huge difference as both parties are on the same page all the time, no guessing or wondering and no surprises.
I just finished my very first client photo shoot, and of course I realized I WAY undercharged them for the amount of time and work I put into it. They’re a bit of a struggling business so I’m actually happy to help. That being said, your videos have been very helpful!
As always, fantastic content. Clear, concise and spot on. I just wrapped my personal largest commercial shoot for a multi billion corporation. We ended up doubling the delivered images and then roughly doubled to estimate. Obviously production costs didn't change, but my net ended up close to double the original scope. Happy day! While a little humble brag, the $ convo was discussed throughout the two day shoot and there weren't any surprises for the client or for me at the end. All in all, everyone went home happy, and that was the biggest win.
Pumped for the next vid you mentioned. Often clients don’t tell us everything, usage/license length, shots/looks needed, etc and our agent doesn’t always prioritize getting these essential details
I always gave quotes and they always squeezed something extra and that always bugged me a little but i thought thats how stuff work but now thanks to you I'll just give them an estimate
Great video. The point about Purchase Order Numbers is actually quite important-when you ask for a P.O number from a smaller business, and they're not willing to provide one it can be a slight red flag about getting your final invoice paid after the job has been completed. After being burned with 'promises' of being paid from smaller businesses, If they can't or won't provide a P.O number I won't work with them-they're not really my kinda client. It's a good common metric to work against, and yeah you'll get a lot less "can we just…" kinda requests when budgets has been finalised and estimated.
From my Engineering experience, a quote is a package: narrative proposal, estimate, draft contract, terms and conditions at the minimum. Could be firm fixed price, cost plus fee, or one of a thousand variations on those descriptions. Not every customer is sophisticated in business practices. Legal niceties sometimes don’t result in the protection you want. Checking the estimate and especially getting sign off on changes is excellent advice.
Thumbs up as usual.... “Let’s adjust/revise the estimate” and have the changes signed off is a sound advice, as if I am not mistaken there are “reasonable legal” limitations on how much a final invoice can deviate from a quote and/or estimate....
A good way to define the difference between the two. I tend to put more energy into the actual licensing of the images, I draft my estimates to cover these things and will defend my Intellectual Properties. Unfortunately, I am having to address the use of images from proof sheets and unlicensed videos created from them. Some people simply do not honor their agreements even if I have their signature on a document. Always get your paperwork in order or you may lose a lot of money.
Understand all the points. In my area and field, which has been fairly broad... have dealt with private and corporate clients, they all just want to know final number. So I have to find out all variables before job starts. If there is job creep, I just have to absorb and accept that, or if large... put my hand up saying there will be an adjustment to quote because of xyz. Because they dont want to have a floating number, and I have to provide a fixed price, and if Im wary it may go larger than what they say, I will price that into my quote. I'm still never paid enough overall for my time, but it comes back to, do you want to work in a highly competitive unregulated industry or not 🤷
Have you had to negotiate a “Master Service Agreement” project? They usually happen when you work with a worldwide brand. They are usually 20 to 50 pages long and require an attorney to negotiate. In my opinion they aren’t worth the headache even though you can get top dollar. I’ve found they basically tell you how to run your business. They tell you who and who you can’t hire, how much insurance you must carry, and the biggest problem, anyone from the janitor to the CEO can reject the shot and they don’t have to pay you. Oh, and they can terminate the contract anytime they want. I started a year long project with a MSA agreement just as COVID-19 shut cities down. There normal photographer’s city was shut down and our’s wasn’t. We started the project and two months later there photographers city opened back up and they terminated our year contract and took it back to there normal photographer. Nothing I could do. Ugh.
Does your agent act as a go between for you and the client regarding financials, or is it a case that once they've got you booked, you're dealing with all the paperwork yourself?
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This is such a good video, something so simple can make a huge difference as both parties are on the same page all the time, no guessing or wondering and no surprises.
This is now my new favorite TH-cam channel. You talk so much sense.
I just finished my very first client photo shoot, and of course I realized I WAY undercharged them for the amount of time and work I put into it. They’re a bit of a struggling business so I’m actually happy to help. That being said, your videos have been very helpful!
Always the way!
As always, fantastic content. Clear, concise and spot on. I just wrapped my personal largest commercial shoot for a multi billion corporation. We ended up doubling the delivered images and then roughly doubled to estimate. Obviously production costs didn't change, but my net ended up close to double the original scope. Happy day! While a little humble brag, the $ convo was discussed throughout the two day shoot and there weren't any surprises for the client or for me at the end. All in all, everyone went home happy, and that was the biggest win.
Excellent advice.. especially those last 30 seconds!
This is exactly the type of content Im looking for .
Pumped for the next vid you mentioned. Often clients don’t tell us everything, usage/license length, shots/looks needed, etc and our agent doesn’t always prioritize getting these essential details
Excellent advice!
Glad it was helpful!
I always gave quotes and they always squeezed something extra and that always bugged me a little but i thought thats how stuff work but now thanks to you I'll just give them an estimate
There is no honour left in this world anymore.
Great video. The point about Purchase Order Numbers is actually quite important-when you ask for a P.O number from a smaller business, and they're not willing to provide one it can be a slight red flag about getting your final invoice paid after the job has been completed. After being burned with 'promises' of being paid from smaller businesses, If they can't or won't provide a P.O number I won't work with them-they're not really my kinda client. It's a good common metric to work against, and yeah you'll get a lot less "can we just…" kinda requests when budgets has been finalised and estimated.
From my Engineering experience, a quote is a package: narrative proposal, estimate, draft contract, terms and conditions at the minimum. Could be firm fixed price, cost plus fee, or one of a thousand variations on those descriptions. Not every customer is sophisticated in business practices. Legal niceties sometimes don’t result in the protection you want. Checking the estimate and especially getting sign off on changes is excellent advice.
This is great! There's been a few occasions where I've ended up working above and beyond the original scope and screwed myself over !
Really useful and concise video. Thank you.
Just giving out free GOLD here! Thanks!
Thumbs up as usual.... “Let’s adjust/revise the estimate” and have the changes signed off is a sound advice, as if I am not mistaken there are “reasonable legal” limitations on how much a final invoice can deviate from a quote and/or estimate....
Great way to sort out your time in a day on a shot when client is not sure .
A good way to define the difference between the two. I tend to put more energy into the actual licensing of the images, I draft my estimates to cover these things and will defend my Intellectual Properties. Unfortunately, I am having to address the use of images from proof sheets and unlicensed videos created from them. Some people simply do not honor their agreements even if I have their signature on a document. Always get your paperwork in order or you may lose a lot of money.
Understand all the points. In my area and field, which has been fairly broad... have dealt with private and corporate clients, they all just want to know final number. So I have to find out all variables before job starts. If there is job creep, I just have to absorb and accept that, or if large... put my hand up saying there will be an adjustment to quote because of xyz. Because they dont want to have a floating number, and I have to provide a fixed price, and if Im wary it may go larger than what they say, I will price that into my quote. I'm still never paid enough overall for my time, but it comes back to, do you want to work in a highly competitive unregulated industry or not 🤷
Have you had to negotiate a “Master Service Agreement” project? They usually happen when you work with a worldwide brand. They are usually 20 to 50 pages long and require an attorney to negotiate. In my opinion they aren’t worth the headache even though you can get top dollar. I’ve found they basically tell you how to run your business. They tell you who and who you can’t hire, how much insurance you must carry, and the biggest problem, anyone from the janitor to the CEO can reject the shot and they don’t have to pay you. Oh, and they can terminate the contract anytime they want. I started a year long project with a MSA agreement just as COVID-19 shut cities down. There normal photographer’s city was shut down and our’s wasn’t. We started the project and two months later there photographers city opened back up and they terminated our year contract and took it back to there normal photographer. Nothing I could do. Ugh.
Does your agent act as a go between for you and the client regarding financials, or is it a case that once they've got you booked, you're dealing with all the paperwork yourself?
Usually a combo of agent and producer depending on where the questions land