What do you folks think the charge for doing a photo session of a dance group prior to the live performance would be for 2 hours of shooting? I will have my lights setup as well with a background to ensure iso 100 quality.  I plan on doing some processing on photos that are later requested plus a quick batch process (jpg) for their website.

Thanks

Tom

I would say $50 per hour for an average photographer in Seattle would be fair.

being in the Microstock Business we are all prone to underpricing ourselves 

This is exactly where these folks are- their tickets sales barely cover their costs. This  Pro Bono work for me but good experience...

What about doing it cheap or even pro bono but make it conditional on them signing releases?  Time permitting, you could then have a separate shoot where you bring some suitable stocky props.

I would give them the jpegs as a gift and sell nice prints for your time.
If you end up with some releases you might make a few $$ on the Stock Sites.

Quote from: etienjones on July 29, 2013, 09:43

I would give them the jpegs as a gift and sell nice prints for your time.
If you end up with some releases you might make a few $$ on the Stock Sites.

Shooting plays and stage performances has caused release problems in the past.  Most are copyright and rights (along with costumes, etc) are licensed to producer/directors/promoters.

You would have to get release from Agents -- which does not happen.

Bum. In that case, listen to Beppe and charge like a dentist.

The other thing.... learning to shoot dance is a skill - like learning to shoot macro etc.  Posed "school" photos are a piece of cake, but action shots take a bit of practice.  You are shooting something you anticipate to happen- does that make sense.  You have to know that when they leap there is just a fraction of a sweet moment when they reach the height of the jette before the legs whip back together - if you wait to see it you have missed the shot - you have to use your 6th sense to trust it will be there. The dancers won't like the photo if their legs aren't perfectly split.  It does come, but to charge professional fees for your first time doing this type of shoot might be a bit much.  But if you have experience shooting action sports, or skateboarding it should come quite quickly.  And what shutter speed do your lights synch at?  Hopefully at least 250.  It's a challenge, but if you hit that sweet spot perfectly they are almost frozen anyway so shutterspeed doesn't matter, if you have missed the shot a foot or hand will be blurry.

For posed shots, just remember to fill the frame.   Deeper poses, longer stretches,   watch the lines, arms parallel with legs for example, and hands exactly the same or exactly the opposite.  For school photos I use almost a portrait setup.  For action shots side lighting adds beautiful drama with just a bit of fill in the front.

Of all the sports I shoot, dancers are hands down the best to work with.  They will try ANYTHING and want to look superb at the same time (opposed to shooting hockey players....)  I had a break dancer last month, he was doing his moves, on one hand with legs windmilling about and I yell joking "Again, but look at the camera, hold it and smile" and holy crap he did exactly the same move, whips around, upside down on one hand, facing the camera and held it smiling. Beautiful things happen with dancers - and they happen way more often than they do with real models.

And yes, if this is pro production the costume, lighting and set designer will all have copyright.