Quotes &
The Sliding Scale
The Pricing
Matrix Approach
I'm keenly aware that resources are not distributed evenly and organizations that do the most good often have the least to spare. Since my goal is to help community-focused organizations and businesses thrive, I use a a version of sliding scale pricing. Any service price or custom quote I provide has a market rate that represents the top end of a pricing matrix, with different tiers available to different sorts of clients.
Market Rate
You're mid- to large-scale business, corporate branch, or national nonprofit with the marketing budget and staff to support it. The project planning and importance of having a laser-focused shared goal are crucial. Whether we're deploying photobooths at a sponsored event or producing interviews with board members for your next shareholder meeting, your project requires a team of creatives and serious equipment. Owl Ears will build a crack team for your project that we're sure will have you coming back to work with us again.
Partner Rate
You're a small- to mid-size organization that is looking for a go-to production house. Know you'll need headshots for new employees? Done. Have an event coming up that you want livestreamed and photographed? No problem. Need someone to film and edit a month of Tiktoks in a few days? Say no more.
Owl Ears offers this partner rate not just because regular clients are good for business, but because we want the kind of supportive community that comes with that peer-to-peer relationship.
Community Rate
You're a small business or locally-focused organization that is in the growing stages; maybe looking at a service area expansion or professionalizing the promotional material you're not equipped to do on your own. Owl Ears wants to see you grow and thrive in your community - and, hopefully you'll remember us when you are. We're a small venture, you are too, and we find solidarity in working with other folks that want to scale. We'll help you with a great discount on our services, and you'll help us by being a word-of-mouth advocate
Volunteer Rate
You're trying to launch an exciting new organization, business, or event, and your wallet won't look good until you've proven the concept. That, or you're a community-based nonprofit with a shoestring budget. While there may be some instances where free services can be provided, Owl Ears can't sacrifice work hours on paid work by taking on free work. That's why this volunteer rate is sub-minimum wage; it's an acknowledgement that any imaging work involves significant time in post-production, too much of which hinders work that pays the rent on time.
Some Pricing
Matrix Examples
#1
A non-profit with an operating budget less than 1 million dollars wants a photographer for their a fundraising gallery and professional headshots for 15 employees. Work time estimate of roughly 80 total hours.
Market Rate
$5700 total coverage fee. $1200 for headshots ($500 shoot fee, $50 for employees 2-15), $4500 for 4 hours of event coverage with 2 shooters and full gallery retouch.
Partner Rate
$4560, 20% discount. $960 for headshots ($400 shoot fee, $40 for employees 2-15), $3600 for 4 hours of event coverage with 2 shooters and full gallery retouch.
Community Rate
$3420, 40% discount. $720 for headshots ($300 shoot fee, $30 for employees 2-15), $2700 for 4 hours of event coverage with 1 shooter and full gallery retouch.
Volunteer Rate
$1620, 70% discount. $360 for headshots ($150 shoot fee, $15 for employees 2-15), $1350 for 4 hours of event coverage with 1 shooter and in-camera creative look applied.
#2
A local restaurant chain is sponsoring their second annual charity golf tournament. Donors the previous year were disappointed to be left out of promotional media. This year the chain would like a film following various players and sponsors, along with interviews highlighting the positive outcomes of the event. Work time estimate of roughly 100 hours.
Market Rate
$9000 total coverage fee. $1500 for 1-day interview pre-shoot, $4500 for 8 hours of event coverage with 1 videographer and 1 photographer, $3000 for 12 days of video and photo editing.
Partner Rate
$7200, 20% discount. $1200 for 1-day interview pre-shoot, $3600 for 8 hours of event coverage with 1 videographer and 1 photographer, $2400 for 12 days of video and photo editing.
Community Rate
$5400, 40% discount. $900 for 1-day interview pre-shoot, $2700 for 8 hours of event coverage with 1 videographer and no photographer, $1800 for 10 days of video and photo editing.
Volunteer Rate
$2700, 70% discount. $450 for 4-hour interview pre-shoot, $1350 for 6 hours of event coverage with 1 videographer and no photographer, $900 for 8 days of video and photo editing.
#3
A national brand based in Virginia is looking to produce a 10-minute documentary about their brand's ties to local producers as well as an accompanying photo gallery for their full shareholder meeting. Their downtown headquarters will display the gallery. Work time estimate of roughly 240 hours.
Market Rate
$15,000 coverage fee +travel & gear rentals. $10,000 for film production and location portraits, $4,000 for 2 location assistants, $1,000 for gallery planning, installation, strike.
Partner Rate
$12,000 +travel & gear rentals, 20% discount. $8,000 for film production and location portraits, $3,200 for 2 location assistants, $800 for gallery planning, installation, strike.
Volunteer Rate
$9,000 +travel & gear rentals, 40% discount. $6,000 for film production and location portraits, $2,400 for 1 location assistant, $600 for gallery planning, installation, no strike.
Community Rate
$4,500 +travel & gear rentals, 70% discount. $3,000 for film production and location portraits, $1,200 for location assistant, $300 for gallery planning and installation guidance.