The Cost of Doing Business

I had a conversation with Florida based commercial photographer and good friend Aaron Ansarov today. It had been far too long since we had last spoken and I wanted to do some catching up with my good friend and mentor. We of course discussed all the good things that are happening with the organization we are both affiliated with, ASMP. As well as the typical stuff most driving photographers talk about....PHOTOGRAPHY. But, besides that ,the main focus of our conversation was about the Cost Of Doing Business.

When I was in the military, there was no need to think about the cost of doing business because my salary was a given. I got paid on the 1st and the 15th every month like clock work no matter how little I did or how much I did, the pay was still the same. It wasn't until later on when I was almost out of the military that my eyes were opened on what I should charge for an assignment or what the differences were between Commercial, Editiorial and Retail assignments. (not to mention LICENCING OF IMAGES!!!) If there is any lesson I can pass on to photographers just starting out, it's know your cost of doing business, if you don't your CODB your business will fail. All the talent in the world can't help you if you aren't charging what you're worth.

If you want to know what you should be charging checkout the NPPA's Cost of Doing Business Calulator