Been offered a photo job opprtunity

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Hi all. i am purely just a Hobbies and while out doing my 100 strangers project http://www.flickr.com/photos/josh140...th/7270441772/ some woman approached me and asked if i can do a photo shoot of some trainers that her shop will be selling.

i told her that i am no pro and still learning but she insisted and gave me her number. i also did take a shot of her for my project as well(not posted yet).

I don't think i will go for it for a few reasons:

1. i don't have the right tools for the job. i only have one strobe, no umbrellas or reflectors, and no blank canvas for possible background(unless they want a natural looking shot and not one done in a studio)

2. i don't think i have enough experience and skills yet to do studio work(see my Flickr, its mostly street/architecture shots with a couple landscape ones.)

Am i right in denying this wonderful opportunity or should i go for it? Or, should i ask more questions about location, type of shot they want etc etc?

As a complete noob, do i do it for free? if not? how much would u pay a amateur to do "product" shots such as trainers/footwear?

[kalniel]

No I would not do it for free, but I wouldn't charge upfront. I'd take the shots as best I could, and LOTS of them. Then I'd select the best for PP, whack a great big watermark on them for sample purposes and take/email them to the buyer. Negotiate a price (others here will be able to advise better than me on that - I'd definitely just go for a one-off fee for high resolution digital copies of the selected photos) and then they can either take it or leave it.

As for things like lack of studio, well, you're just doing a job of taking photos so let her be the creative side for location choices - you're not being paid to market the shoes so just take photos

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Cool ok thanks mate.

[g8ina]

Kal's pretty much said what I would have... Where are you located, just wondering if any other HEXITES are close enough to loan you extra kit ??

Bobster may have some views too ....

[Dareos]

Jump at the chance mate, follow Kals advice of course, but theres a lot of pro's in any job out there that fight for chances like this, it might end up being nothing but experience for you, but you cant beat experience.

Worst case scenario, you take some time out of your day, learn some do's and dont's of this type of work, nothing comes of it, shots aren't used, noones any the worse off but you have learned a bit more about it.

Best case scenario , you take some time out of your day, take a couple of cracking shots, lady is a headhunter for Adidas/Nike/Puma/Airwalk, you fall into a job that has you working with leggy models wearing sports footwear that pays a 6 figure salary, the rest of us Hexites are green with envy and refuse to talk to you again.

its Win/Win

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Jump at the chance mate, follow Kals advice of course, but theres a lot of pro's in any job out there that fight for chances like this, it might end up being nothing but experience for you, but you cant beat experience.

Worst case scenario, you take some time out of your day, learn some do's and dont's of this type of work, nothing comes of it, shots aren't used, noones any the worse off but you have learned a bit more about it.

Best case scenario , you take some time out of your day, take a couple of cracking shots, lady is a headhunter for Adidas/Nike/Puma/Airwalk, you fall into a job that has you working with leggy models wearing sports footwear that pays a 6 figure salary, the rest of us Hexites are green with envy and refuse to talk to you again.

its Win/Win

More importantly,he can get the Canon 5D he has been hankering after!

[Dareos]

i didnt want to get his hopes up mate....

[j.o.s.h.1408]

How much do pros usually charge per pic? I will need to get the missus permission first! U know how it goes for a married man

[kalniel]

You're not a pro and I wouldn't charge per pic, so not sure that info will be of any use to you!

[Bobster]

1. i don't have the right tools for the job. i only have one strobe, no umbrellas or reflectors, and no blank canvas for possible background(unless they want a natural looking shot and not one done in a studio)
right, so you're going to have to buy/rent the equipment

2. i don't think i have enough experience and skills yet to do studio work(see my Flickr, its mostly street/architecture shots with a couple landscape ones.)
discuss in more detail what they want

Am i right in denying this wonderful opportunity or should i go for it? Or, should i ask more questions about location, type of shot they want etc etc?
see above

As a complete noob, do i do it for free? if not? how much would u pay a amateur to do "product" shots such as trainers/footwear?
you work for free? awesome, i have a tree that needs cutting down in the back garden, i don't have the tools, so you'll need to supply those too!

you need to work out a fee based on how much of your time is going to be used etc. so you're not a pro, start your pricing at say £20hr?

you will also need to license the images for them to use - yes you read that correctly.. they're using the images to make money (sale of trainers), why shouldn't you be paid for that?

[j.o.s.h.1408]

cheers bob. much appreciate it

[rhossydd]

You're right NOT to take on the job.

1. You haven't the experience to do the job well, so it will a load of trouble for you.

2. They're only trying to get the job shot at low cost because they think you're gullible or vain enough to do it for low, or no, cost. Would you want someone to undercut you in your profession ?

Enjoy your own photography and don't turn it into a chore.

[MasterFlash]

I say go for it, it will be great experience for you and you never know, something like this could lead to a direction you previously hadnt thought of.

Be brave, be bold and enjoy it.

[swift_wraith]

Go for it! I had to send in an RMA with edge-10 monitors last year. Ended up talking to the CEO as I told him I needed it back promptly for my photography and ended up getting a gig photographing their new range of monitors. Got a few quid and a new 24" monitor for my troubles. If its hi-key photos of shoes (most product photography is hi-key) all you'd need is a lightbox and a couple of standard lamps. heck, if you pay postage both ways I'll loan you a large lightbox
Ant

[Bobster]

high-key is not what you think is hi-key..