NUJ Freelance Fees Guide: Photography - Production charges / exes

Photography / Production charges / exes

Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included. See notes on negotiating rates and find a freelance.

Photographers should always remember to check that new clients agree to pay expenses, before setting out. Some expect the price to be all-in, or believe travel is free, or something.

Read me first! Production charges / exes advice

Uploaded: 2008-05-05; if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/PhProRat.html

Reported rates, to compare for Production charges / exes

The suggested rates (know a better rate? tell us!)

NUJ members discuss rates etc for photography

RATES: Digital production charges
See production charges / expenses - advice for explanation of these digital production charges.
High resolution colour corrected file (whether from digital original or scanned from film)		15
Bulk processing images: per hour		100
Bulk processing images minimum charge: per hour		60
Wiring selected but uncorrected ex-camera files		50
Digital transmission		20
Contact sheet (in print or on the web)		20
Writing to CD/DVD		10
Rushed processing: add		100%

See: NUJ Guide to Charging for Digital Imaging

Notes:

London labs charge at least £100 an hour for work on digital photographs. £60 really is as low as anyone should go for digital processing.

RATES: Film production charges

Colour transparency film processed and mounted		25
Black & White film process and contact sheet		20
Colour film process and contact sheet		22
Black & white hand print (10"x8") first off neg.		10
Black & white hand print: subsequent prints		9
Colour hand print (10"x8") first off neg		20
Colour hand print: subsequent prints		10
Colour machine print (10"x8")		12.50
Rushed processing: add		100%

RATES: Lost originals

Lost original		500
Unrepeatable image		1000
Lost film		5000

Notes:

The figures given above for lost originals are those frequently agreed out of court with clients.
If a claim went to court, the photographer would have to prove actual and predictable losses - for example the anticipated value of six further licences for one picture.

RATES: Travel expenses etc

Car mileage		0.50

See: Search fees

See: Photographers' networks

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The National Union of Journalists must not, can not and would not wish to dictate rates or terms of engagement to members or to editors. The information presented here is for guidance and as an aid to equitable negotiation only.

Suggestions apply to contracts governed by UK law only. In any event, nothing here should be construed as legal advice.