THINGS U SHOULD KNOW PART(5) : WHAT IS DAY RATE ?

Last time we discussed "things u should know" it was a while ago , thought id remind u there was an ongoing series called THINGS U SHOULD KNOW.......today we discuss "DAY RATES ".....

What is a "day rate"?

Day Rate is an out-of-date term that use to signify the minimum amount a photographer would be paid when shooting for an editorial client, with additional money owed if multiple images were used or if images were used particularly large (see the question on space rate). The term has come to mean the flat rate that photographers are offered for shooting for a publication, and disregards experience, ability, degree of difficulty, and benefit gained by the client.

The biggest problem comes in that most day rates are little changed in almost twenty years, with most publications offering less in terms of real dollars, or some even less in straight dollars, than they were 10, 15, even 20 years ago! For example, a $350 day rate offered in 1985 would be $577. 37 today, just to keep up with the cost of living.

Being paid solely for our time disregards a photographer's creative ability and experience level, as well as the benefit being gained by our clients from using our images. An emerging photographer or student would likely take longer to arrive at a location, set up the shot, shoot the images, break down and leave than would an experienced shooter.

Should the student be paid more simply because it took them longer? In addition, being paid based solely on time can lead to disagreements over full and half days, and even hourly rates. If we're being paid solely for our time, shouldn't we really be paid just for the 1/125th of a second it takes to expose the film?

Finally, most day rates are barely enough to cover our daily cost of doing business, never mind make a profit. As professionals, and suppliers in the supplier-consumer relationship, we should be willing to ask for fees that cover our overheads, allow us to provide for our families and businesses, and that compensate us for the benefit being gained by the client from the "leasing" of our images. For suggestions on more equitable ways of pricing usage, see the above question on knowing what to charge.

Article from http://www.editorialphoto.com/resources/faq.asp#anchor14