An "Event Photography" Rate Calculator

One of the biggest challenges for a freelance photographer in getting your client to agree to pay the rate that you've quoted them is that they don't understand why you want them to pay that amount.  Most of the public seems to believe that artists just make up a number for what they want to be paid and then ask for it.  Granted, some artists do but in a heavily equipment based field like photography, we are quoting a number and that number needs to be high enough to support all that expensive equipment we use to shoot those events.  If it's not, we simply cannot afford to keep shooting.  It's that simple.  So I have developed and decided to share the calculator I use when creating quotes for events.  But FYI - this calculator is for general events ONLY (not photoshoots and not weddings).  Photoshoots and Weddings require A LOT more work than just coming to your event and taking pictures.  Each involves scoping out locations, more equipment, insurance, and a lot more time in post processing.  So again, use this calculator for events only.

First, let me explain how these are basically calculated.

Time = Event Time (how long the event is) + Post Processing (Event time x 2) + Travel Time (add 1 hour locally for roundtrip travel + gas + car usage.  Add more for travel out of the area)


Rate = usage rate + photographer average rate for your state (can be located here http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm 


Usage Rate = (Camera value/annual work time) + (Computer value/annual work time) + (Software value/annual work time) + (Photographer years of experience*value photographer invests annually in classes, conferences, other education) + any other misc. value (i.e. number of years experience, etc.)


Discount = if you apply one, factor that in there at the end after you have calculated your Time * Rate

And after you do all that, you have got the number you should be quoting your client.  You also have a transparent formula that you can show your client so that they really understand what it is that they are paying for exactly.

To access the spreadsheet I created that calculates this, click here.

Good luck! :)