Professional Photo shoot..... how much $$

[SIIK2NR]

I'm thinking of getting a professional photo session done with my car before I move on to something new.

Any ideas on how much I should expect to pay for a decent photo session?

Stills, Rolling and close up shots only.... no studio. Would like all the images if possible.

Inputs are appreciated.

[JoLo]

+1 always wanted to do the same

[IE92]

You should be able to get a professional photo shoot done for $150 or so.

[bliss at 9k]

Depending on the photographer and what you want. I would say 150-500 and up if you want to do studio shots.

[xchosun1x]

i guess "professional" is the key word here.

do you really want a person who takes photos for a living shoot your car? In particular a car photographer?

Or just someone who does it as a hobby, is pretty good, but not a pro level?

I've worked w some pro photographers and they arent cheap at all. Prices change for how many hours a shoot is, post effects and touch ups etc, ranging anywhere from 500-2000 per day(8 hours)

or, as bliss at 9k replied, a hobbiest at 100-500.

[E90///M3`]

Originally Posted by xchosun1x

i guess "professional" is the key word here.

do you really want a person who takes photos for a living shoot your car? In particular a car photographer?

Or just someone who does it as a hobby, is pretty good, but not a pro level?

I've worked w some pro photographers and they arent cheap at all. Prices change for how many hours a shoot is, post effects and touch ups etc, ranging anywhere from 500-2000 per day(8 hours)

or, as bliss at 9k replied, a hobbiest at 100-500.

i totally agree with what chosun has to say... i've worked in and around the import car/model industry for over 10 years and from what i've noticed pro photographers can and will charge loads more over a person who does it for fun but on a semi-pro level.

A few friends that shoot for Heavy Hitters Magazine, EuroTuner and other magazines have gone to school and have tons of equipment that isn't cheap... they also spend time on post processing rather than a quick edit here and there.

There are many hobbiest photographer out there that can and are trying to start shooting professionally... keep an eye out for their work and ask them to shoot your car for their portfolio. he or she may do it for free

[Legion5]

It really depends what you expect. If you want just some low level stuff done with the best equipment you can get at Walmart, the lowest I've heard is $60. It costs me just $80 + travel expenses per shoot just to cover my upkeep, so you get what you pay for.

I generally charge $300 an hour which is the mid-upper end, and I would not recomend spending less than $150. I would also recomend not doing rolling shots because those are fairly difficult and will easily run you $250+.

[radiantm3]

You should also keep in mind that lots of people consider themselves "pro photographers", but their work is mediocre at best. I've seen it countless times on this forum, but I try to refrain from saying anything for the sake of not being negative. There are many amateur/hobbyist photographers around to shoot way better than some of the so called "pros" and will do it for cheap or even free for the experience.

My point is, don't get caught up on what a photographer labels himself, what equipment he uses, or the pricing. You should be choosing based on the quality of work. Just food for thought.

[GOLFFRR]

The only 2 pro's that i know of are Scott Chu and 1013MM guy (i think John is his name, screen name is jzhang on forum i believe).

if it were me before i scheduled anything or drop any money or time i would check out whoever it is your picking website and work and make sure thats the style you like. There are a lot of photographers out there like above stated but there are tons of styles.

good luck and keep us posted!

[ki__]

Check out my style on my website, i'm by no means a professional, just do it as a hobby. Let me know if you want me to do it, wouldn't be super expensive at all.

[GOLFFRR]

^^nice Kian didn't know you were a photographer braddah, nice shots!

[emthreeboy]

Had no idea that stuff cost that much. Have a friend whos a professional photographer and I've got a whole portfolio with my m3 + all previous. Thats what we do for fun on weekends sometimes, cruise around looking for spots! Its definitely worth it because its pretty cool to have!

[SoTempted]

Maybe get in good with a group of high end hobbyist photographers, they might do it for free. May not be "professional" quality but I'm sure very good quality. I had a friend shoot my car for his portfolio for free. Also photographer friends usually have other photographer friends in all levels of the game. Try to whore out your car some and I'm sure you'll be able to put together a bunch of great shots... Or just blatantly go hunting/shopping for a pro, pay what may seem like a reasonable amount and actually get pro level shots. Either way should turn out great fun in the end.

...oh and my budding professional friends usually charge anywhere between $150-$500 like previously stated in the thread... finding an enthusiast should yield better results and make it feel like less of a business transaction and more like a "photo excursion" haha. Fun stuff.

[SIIK2NR]

Thanks for the inputs... budget is around $200-$300. No studio work. Just rolling shots and stills.

Thanks for the info and PM's.

Selections sucks here in the midwest so I guess I'll have to look at some portfolios. Some of the online stuff is amazing! Wish I had that option out here.

[SoTempted]

Try a photography forum, you may be surprised how many guys will want to shoot your car as much as you want it shot.

[FStop7]

Usually in the area of $100 an hour for the shoot (plus travel expenses) with a minimum of 3 hours. That includes basic color correction and cleanup of the image. Detailed post work (achieving a very specific look, or doing something that needs to be cleaned up to the point of being near flawless - like photos being used in promotional materials) would also run about $100 an hour. You would be able to review the raw proofs on site, etc.

Right now I don't have a rig to do proper rolling shots.

Photos shot at meets or in the canyons are a lot less expensive because there's no prep work, no scheduling a time of day, no lighting setup, etc etc.

[gixxer_kidd]

Make sure whomever you use has proper equipment to do the motion shots. If proper equipment is not used or used incorrectly they can damage your car. Don't mean to scare you, just make sure you choose the right person.

[1013mm]

wow. way too complicated. all you need to do is first state your location...


1. Go to your regional forum on m3post or e90post post up "I Want A Photoshoot (will pay)"

2. People will reply whether it be hobbyist or pros. Most likely hobbyist.

3. PM each other.

4. Choose the photog of your choice.

5. Photoshoot and photoshop magic. Done.

easy....

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by jzhang

wow. way too complicated. all you need to do is first state your location...


1. Go to your regional forum on m3post or e90post post up "I Want A Photoshoot (will pay)"

2. People will reply whether it be hobbyist or pros. Most likely hobbyist.

3. PM each other.

4. Choose the photog of your choice.

5. Photoshoot and photoshop magic. Done.

easy....

For what it's worth, you are one of the few photogs on here that always impresses me.

[FVM3]

$300

[Caspita]

There is a budget for everything. $200-300 sounds like a pretty decent range. As mentioned above ask your local chapter, and take a look at people's portfolios. I have gotten numerous jobs just because of my portfolio. Let us know how it goes.