Managing Expectations

We all know as creators we’re always facing an uphill battle: clients always want to do it cheaper, quicker, producing more, “Does that include social?”, “Can I use this for international"?” - all this against an over-saturated market where new guns are underbidding because that’s just how it’s been going for the last few years….

So what’s next? In the next 10 years are we going to see all commercial image creation on a phone, made by hobbyists just doing it for products given to them as they are influencers shooting for likes and minimal payment? Where is the licensing of the work?

This is what I want to talk about - giving clients (and by default each other) realistic expectations of what it costs, and has cost, to do what we love.

“How much for a headshot?” Isn’t “$300 for you” it’s “$50 travel, $50 equipment rental, $100 for your hour shoot, $100 for your 2 edits with up to 30mins editing included”1

I’m not saying those are the figures we should be working towards btw! That’s just an example. There are numerous calculators out there telling you how to charge, based on a whole heap of variables, they’re all well and good and are trying to make sure you’re doing what I’m suggesting: You’re getting what you’re worth.

Breaking down figures so that people understand what they’re paying for as part of the creative process is key to helping show that on the whole we as creators are pretty much underpaid for the majority! We work hard to do this, why not take the time to really show what clients are getting when they book us?

By all means drop me a line and we’ll get the conversation going.