Tag Archives: FotoQuote

The Best Photography Business Software – fotoBiz X and fotoQuote Pro 7

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

This past fall, October 4, to be exact, I passed my 22-year mark for being a professional photographer. When I look back on my long, adventurous journey as a full time working shooter, I see an enormous mix of learning, mistakes, trial and error and perseverance that got me where I am today. I also see a business model that looks radically different from when I started.

However, while it’s true that the photography business has evolved and transformed in huge ways, the fundamental methods for doing business as a photographer have remained the same. You still need a good system for keeping track of clients, pricing your imagery, creating estimates and invoices and staying on top of profits and expenses.

I’ve used a number of photography business software solutions over the years, but in my mind, the best software option out there for stock and assignment photographers is made by Cradoc. Their two flagship programs, fotoBiz X and fotoQuote Pro 7 offer a complete set of tools that will help you stay on track and keep your business organized.

Both programs work for Mac and Windows, and the Mac version has even been updated to work with OSX 10.14 Mojave. This is notable because Blinkbid, which was another great program (I actually used Blinkbid for awhile and really liked it) has stopped development past Mac 10.12 Sierra.

As one of my readers, you can use Discount Code DB0115, to receive a special 10% discount on the full version of these programs.

fotoBiz X

fotoBiz X is powerful standalone business software solution that starts with contact management. From there, it allows you to create estimates, stock photography licensing quotes, and generate over 100 kinds of documents, forms and reports. You can also keep track of your marketing efforts to prospective clients.

The user layout is very straightforward and easy to navigate. There are six main menu headings on the left sidebar: Contacts, List and Tracking, fotoQuote, Prospects, Magazines, Gear, Forms and Releases and Setup. I’ll walk you through the main sections.

  • CONTACTS

This is your client database and it shows you full contact info, related contacts, any keywords or notes you’ve entered and any estimates, invoices, stock quotes, or submissions you’ve sent that particular client in the past. This is also where you can create a new bid, bill or submission form, or send them an email.

fotoBiz X includes a number of email templates that range from Delivery Memos, Cover Letters for assignments, invoices, portfolio submission, Thank You Letters andeven Collection/Reminder Letters. 

  • LISTS AND TRACKING

This is where you keep track of all of your Assignment Estimates, Stock Quotes, Submissions and Marketing Prospects. In other words, see who’s paid you and who still owes you.

You can also see your License and Image Tracking. For any image entered in the system, you can where it’s been licensed and see how much money it’s brought in.

Stock Production allows you to keep track of your photo shoots and see how profitable they are. You can enter the cost and notes for each shoot and then assign specific image sales to a shoot, and it will show you sales history and +/- balance for that particular shoot. This can help you identify which projects are giving you the best return on your investment.

  • fotoQuote

fotoQuote Pro 7 is the industry standard for stock photo pricing and it comes included with fotiBiz X. I’ve been using fotoQuote for over 25 years, even before I turned pro, and even back then, it was the best photo pricing guide out there.

fotoQuote Pro 7 includes a full section for Assignment Pricing and a coaching system that will help you figure out how much to charge, whether it’s for a national or local client. Read more about fotoQuote below.

  • MAGAZINES

fotoBiz X includes a huge magazine database that shows you how much a specific publication charges for ad space. This provides an enormous amount of help when it comes to researching and negotiating with editorial and trade clients.

  • GEAR

This section allows you to keep track of your photo equipment. For each camera, lens, light or accessory, you can keep track of everything from purchase, sell or loss date, serial number, repair history, insurance, weight (for air travel and bush flights), and where it’s usually stored.

  • FORMS AND RELEASES

Here is where you can create, modify and print things like model and property release, still assignment and video assignment forms

Overall, fotoBiz X includes everything you need to run a successful photography business. It handles international currencies, it exports reports to QuickBooks, it includes a customizable License Builder, and it’s been updated so that each section reflects the current standards and specifics of the photography industry.

There is simply no better or compressive alternative for the full or part time working photographer. You can check out fotoBiz X here.

fotoQuote Pro 7

As I mentioned above, fotoQuote Pro has long been the definitive stock photography pricing guide, and coaching system with the latest version, it’s been updated to match today’s photography markets. Version 7 even includes 86 new categories, including video and online uses. And it offers a mobile app for use on iOS devices.

Put simply, there’s no other program like it. Every photograph who sells or wants to sell images as stock should own this program.

fotoQuote Pro 7 is included inside fotoBiz X, but the also have the standalone version for photographers who only want the pricing guide, or who already have a workable photography business management system.

Even if you only license a few images each year, with the negotiating tips and pricing calculator inside fotoQuote, the program will pay for itself with just one or two sales. Plus, when you deal with your client, you’ll know the right questions to ask, now much to ask, and how NOT to sound like a total amateur.

The best part about fotoQuote has always been the built-in assignment photography pricing coach. This incredibly valuable tool helps you establish the right price, whether you’re shooting a small editorial job or a large, big budget national project. With 38 coaching topics, fotoQuote gives a series of useful negotiating tips so you can approach any job armed with the right information.

Check out fotoQuote Pro 7 here.

Years of research and work went into creating and refining these programs. The owner and creator of these programs, Cradoc Bagshaw has been an acclaimed photojournalist for over 30 years, and he’s dedicated himself to producing the best solutions for working photographers.

He listens to user feedback and address every single aspect that a photographer might face when dealing with clients or managing the day-to-day operations of running your business in an ever changing industry. Not only will these tools and templates let you streamline your business, you’ll just look more professional every time you reach out to a client.

I’ve long been a fan of Cradoc applications. Back when I shot slides, I used Cradoc Captionwriter, and I first used fotoQuote almost 25 years ago while working at a small stock photo agency in Boston. I’m still using it today as part of the comprehensive program fotoBiz X.

No matter what level of shooter you are, if you want to earn money with photography, I highly recommend checking out these two programs. I think you’ll like what you see, they’re relatively inexpensive, and they’re invaluable with regards to how much time, money and efficiency they’ll save you.

If you decide to purchase either one, be sure to use Discount Code DB0115 to get your 10% discount.

New – fotoQuote Pro 7 Photo Pricing Software Includes iOS Mobile Version

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

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What if someone wants to buy one of your photos or license an image for stock usage. How much should you charge?

If you ever find yourself trying to answer this question, then you should just plunk down the money and get fotoQuote Pro.

fotoQuote by Cradoc Software has been the definitive, industry standard for stock and assignment pricing software for over 20 years, and they’ve just upgrade the program to version 7.

This new update features a large number of new stock usage types, including social media, apps, mobile content and even stock footage. In total, 86 new categories have been added, which means that fotoQuote now has info for over 300 possible stock photo usage types.

It also contains updated assignment photography line item pricing and video editing, as well as a database for your clients if you use the program as a standalone version. fotoQuote Pro is included in Cradoc’s comprehensive photography business software package, fotoBiz X, which includes a client database, but if you already have a client/billing solution, then you’d probably just want the stand alone version of fotoQuote.

In addition to the pricing calculator, fotoQuote has a number of other powerful features that can help you run your photography business more efficiently. The Usage Tips and Coach sections gives you valuable insight that will help you negotiate with your client in order to close the sale and get the best price for your images. It tells you what questions to ask and provides detailed information about different types of uses, and even gives you sample phone scripts.

In the new Version 7, the Usage tips and Coach sections have been overhauled in order to reflect the most relevant info and usage types in the rapidly changing industry.

The Stock Quote section lets you build stock photo quotes for your clients that include image thumbnails and all the usage details. This is a great tool, because it gets everything in writing and reduces any possible miscommunications about the deal that might be forgotten down the road.

The new Assignment Photography Price Guide included in fotoQuote Pro 7 is packed with information about good practices, assignment pricing strategies and negotiating tips that have been compiled from a list of working pro photographers.

This section features tips for pricing a wide range of photography jobs, from small editorial shoots to large scale advertising or corporate assignments that command very big budgets, and even video productions. With over 35 coaching tips, you’ll get the pricing and copyright information you need to tackle any number of shoot types, no matter how big or small.

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Great program for pricing images. A must have if you freelance. #Fotoquote #photojournalism

Yunghi Kim

fotoQuote iOS Mobile App

With the new release, Cradoc has created an companion iOS version of fotoQuote Pro 7, and if you order or upgrade before December 31, you’ll get it at no additional cost. (Sorry, no Android right now.) I’m really excited about this, because it means I can use fotoQuote when I’m away from my desk and laptop, or when traveling light with only an iPad.

If you sell or have any intention of selling your photos as stock, or if you shoot assignment work, fotoQuote Pro is a must-have solution for your photography business. With the information it provides, it will pay for itself with one job or sale, and it will help you get the price you deserve.

I’ve been a dedicated fotoQuote user for my entire 20+ year photography career and I swear by the program. Having coached many photographers over the year about how to price their photos, I cannot stress enough how valuable this program is. There is no other program on the market like this, so if you are looking for a way to price your work, this is it.

 

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Pricing Your Photography

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

The other day I heard from a Colorado photographer who needed stock photo pricing advice. An advertising agency had seen one of her wildlife images and wanted to use it in a campaign for a national brand.

They had apparently indicated to her that they would want a “total buyout” of the image, and so before their negotiation phone call, the photographer wanted to get an idea of what kind of price she should be looking at. In truth, she wasn’t so excited about the buyout idea, because as a biologist, she’d planned to use the image in a future book, and didn’t want to give away all rights.

I suggested that she ask a few questions, get specific ideas about how the client might use the image and get back to me when she had the answers. As I usually do, I also advised her not to take the buyout. Buyouts are a lazy and vague way to negotiate, and more often than not, the term usually accompanies insultingly low price offers.

Long story short, the ad agency began the conversation by offering her $300 for a total buyout of the image. This was all before she even said a word. The photographer kept her composure and politely asked the questions that would help her determine what a reasonable price would be from her standpoint.

As of this point, she has not heard back from the agency, which pretty much says that they were hoping to grab all rights to a really cool image for only $300 from someone who they assumed to be a total novice. And here she was thinking she’s start her negotiations at around $3,000.

Whether you’re a novice photographer, if someone want’s your image, it becomes a commodity that has value, and it should be priced as such. Unfortunately, since there are no established “rules” as to how much money we should get for our images, it’s up to us to negotiate our own prices.

As with any photography sale, here’s the basic information that you need to gain in order to establish a price:

  1. How and where the image will be used? Advertising, corporate, or editorial use.
  2. Size of use in the publication?
  3. Circulation
  4. Duration of use

Once you have this info, you can plug it into a photography pricing program and come up with a starting point. You don’t have to hold to that price, an often times you’ll come up or down depending on the situation, the client and the image.

Even if you’re not a full time professional photographer, if you intend to sell your photography, I highly recommend getting FotoQuote software. Not only does it have pricing tables for just about every type of use, it’s full of insight and tips about how to negotiate and price your imagery. It even has a magazine database and an entire section on assignment pricing.

Read my series on pricing photography at The Photoletariat.

Get FotoQuote here.