What to do about charging people

[PhotoJet]

Hi all!
I'm not a pro-shooter (I don't even play one on TV) ;) BUT I've had a couple opportunities to shoot things (and people) and get paid for it. Here's my problem...

I have no clue how to figure out what to charge. Like this week, I'll be taking some installation pics for a small construction company installing a new product. I'll process the photos and pretty much hand over a disk to their marketing firm. I am renting a wide angle lens for the job & will pass the cost on to the company. But how in heavens name do I figure my time and processing?

I'm guessing that this will be happening more and more after this, too. The marketing firm has indicated that she/they might be interested in using my services for other clients as well. So, I guess I better have some sort of idea as to what I should be charging.

Any help you all can give me will be greatly appreciated! In addition to this sort of thing, I've also been approached about taking Senior pictures and family photos too. Maybe if I had some clue I could put together some sort of brochure or something?

Thanks!!

[Aggie]

starting point, is minimum wage. Then you need to check out your market area. What you can charge in a big city is far more than a smaller community in Wisconsin. There should be some searches for salary ranges in your area. Next document all costs of equipment. Disk cost etc, and electricity time (minimal but it can also be called computer time) these have depreciation amounts as well. So just run some numbers on a pad of paper. Check out what stock photography companies pay for images. Some of them only pay for the shots they accept. With my art work, I take the base costs of materials and at least double it. Then I estimate the time I put into it. I have people around here that think they can make what I do easily. A few have tried and given up. I also have to figure in things like trael costs, and packaging. Everything adds up. Your time is valuable. Do just give it away.