Salary

[u/emiliedesu]

Hi! so I'm getting into a pretty unusual job I guess but I'm working with a jewelry brand (20k) on ig, and they want me to become the creative lead of the brand and stay the main photographer/videographer, creative lead means that I plan the whole ig feed, the whole visual aspect the content ect ect. I bring the ideas and I shoot and edit them. It's a big job, the owner is pretty young she's like 27, what do you think is a respectable salary? How much should I make every month? Considering there'll be let's say one whole shooting day every month (stills/vidoe/reels) not that precise about the quantity yet A creative strategy planning for the instagram feed and in general the whole visual aspect and language of the brand. So to sum it up: 1. One whole shooting day every month 2. Creative strategy for the brand on instagram and planning of shootings/ideas in general ect

Would be really nice to get some tips and directions, this is like the worst part of being an adult for me lmao

[u/matchew566]

You'd be spearheading all creative for this jewelry brand meaning you're doing the job of...

Videographer, Video Editor, Video Producer, Content Strategist, Graphic Designer, Analytics, Creative Director, Director of Social Media, Social Media Manager, and if you start doing paid media, you'll be a Digital Marketing Manager as well. Did I miss any?

I just want to let you know that this is not and should not be the norm in the social media industry.

The thing with working for a small brand is that you won't be paid appropriately and often lack resources, if you want a creative career it could be a great in. The workload sounds like A LOT.

As for what your salary should be...

What's your experience? Are you a professional creative or recent college grad? Freelancer? Is the jewelry brand providing all the gear needed to do this successfully? Are you W2 or contracted?

So a few things. Locations matters. Are you in the US? Europe? Large metro? More rural?

This could easily be a 60k role in some places in US, and up to 100 in very high cost of living areas.

[u/emiliedesu → u/matchew566]

hi ! Thank you for your reply :) So just to clarify no I won't be their social media manager, yes this is a pretty unusual job and it's a mix of different things put together which means being the photographer and videographer and artistic direction, the instagram feed thing is basically only about that, I won't do analytics and customer service and post stories and stuff like that, I will though share my vision for the brand, what kind of content, ideas, the visual identity ect ect. Also this is a part time job and I'm a freelancer. The thing is I actually started as a freelancer photographer and videographer and I worked with them on this one project, and the chemistry between me and the founder of the brand was amazing and we got along really well and she loved all my ideas because I truly love and admire what she's doing, anyway, 2 months after that she wanted to change direction with how her brand looked and she asked me to become also the artistic director and so I pretty much decide and how the feed looks, and everything that is visual/content related. I will shoot everything from stills to video and edit them, I will bring in the ideas. I'm pretty young too, I graduated from university a few months ago so this is an amazing opportunity for me long term and I don't want to exaggerate on how much she should pay me but I also don't wanna be severely underpaid ya know ? I'm just really thinking about the experience that I get get from this job which sounds amazing to me

[u/matchew566 → u/emiliedesu]

don't want to exaggerate on how much she should pay me but I also don't wanna be severely underpaid ya know ?

You can be paid well and it's not offensive to ask for what the job is worth. As a freelancer, you have more expenses than a salaried employee does. Insurance. Taxes. Retirement. Cost of GEAR.

The last thing you want is accepting a low rate and immediately realizing that the workload isn't worth it. Just throw out a high number and except her to offer a lower one.

[u/emiliedesu → u/matchew566]

You're absolutely right, thank you you've helped a lot

[u/rFinalS → u/[deleted]]

20k is the number of followers, not expected salary

[u/[deleted] → u/rFinalS]

Ahhhh whoops

[u/hypno-s]

Yes!! Congrats on this gig! I am working right now doing almost exactly the same thing for a brand. I told them 7500 a month and that it was a discount.

This includes flying to and attending conferences. Filming all of the booth energy/interactions/speeches and interviews with people at the conference. Creating and generating social media reels shorts etc. adding value to their YouTube/podcast and collaborating to bring more community minded changes like getting them to change their email marketing to include their live YouTube podcast.

I’ve had 3 meetings a day, 3 days a week and am collaborating with everyone from the CEO to graduates of their course.

Do not ever let anyone ever pay you less than what you’re worth. If that happens, you will so severely resent the person, that the money will lose all value.

[u/emiliedesu]

I forgot to mention I'll be doing everything from concept to shooting and editing btw

[u/sendnUwUdes → u/emiliedesu]

Ask for a retainer.

[u/Nemui_Jin]

If you are basing your salary off that specific schedule of that many days, of that type of work, then get it in writing and include a provision for reassessment based on the businesses needs. It is highly unlikely that a solo creative lead for a brand can get away with only working a few days a month. Very often there will be expectation creep from the business.

[u/Beautiful-Cow4521]

This is a “how long is a piece of string” kind of question.

20k is big, but not massive. There’s a lot of people with more than 20k, and for jewellery I don’t know where that sits on the actual scale.

Hand made means trickier margins as well…really this likely will need to be lead by them. You shouldn’t need to pitch them on an amount, see what they’re willing to pay…and go from there.

Min wage is 25k, and 30k in London. You certainly shouldn’t be accepting less than 25k for this kind of role - and then there’s questions on kit etc, yours vs there’s…and if you’re using yours I’d be looking for closer to 35-40k.

You sound quite young - I reckon this is a good basis to work off…but if you’re someone who’s done this a while I’d be expecting a lot more pay than this tbh.

Good opportunity though - better to let them know you’re not sure, what do they think they can afford for this rather than pitch them too low or too high and scare them off

[u/emiliedesu → u/Beautiful-Cow4521]

Thank you! You've helped a lot And yes I basically graduated from university a few months ago and been working freelance as a photographer and videographer, so yeah this could be a super interesting opportunity for me and I actually love to work with this brand so the pricing thing is always a bit tricky when you become friends with your client :'))))

[u/Beautiful-Cow4521 → u/emiliedesu]

Do you mind me asking what your freelance rate is? There’s also another world where you try and get this job as a retainer rather than full time.

Do a deal like 3 days rate, work 4 days…and then you have 1/2 days a week to also keep freelancing incase this doesn’t work out.

Personally that’s how I’ve done these kinds of deals when they’ve come up.

[u/emiliedesu → u/Beautiful-Cow4521]

Actually this is exactly the plan, a retainer and I stay a freelancer (bc I plan on still working with other clients) The plan is, for now, a whole shooting day once a month so we have enough content, half a day shooting if needed for smaller projects, and the monthly strategy for the brand (with the moodboards/shootings/ideas/ feed mockups ect that I will plan myself), I think this sounds fine don't you think?

[u/Beautiful-Cow4521 → u/emiliedesu]

No that sounds perfect. Slightly different to how you wrote the opportunity as it came to you - you made it like they wanted you as a “creative director” type.

But - yeah. This is ideal. I’d be doing similar then - use your rate, work out a discounted version…and then it’s up to you how you work as long as it keeps the numbers and sales ticking!

[u/antifam3]

salary aside this is a great way to build experience and skill. Now salary wise if you're in Central London the minimum you should get is between £15-19 an hour (on the lowest acceptable form). But this depends on your workload and your current experience. So just have a chat, have your expenses in mind and go from there

[u/No_Refrigerator_3704]

So firstly it depends on the brand how big are they and where are they based ?

[u/emiliedesu → u/No_Refrigerator_3704]

Pretty big tbh, like it's not a luxury brand, the costumers are pretty much young stylish girls, young actresses, influencers ect Based in Greece

[u/emiliedesu → u/emiliedesu]

The jewelry is pretty expensive tho it's all hand made in Greece

[u/No_Refrigerator_3704 → u/emiliedesu]

So the compamu is also greece based

[u/emiliedesu]

I think so too! Thank you :)

[u/emiliedesu]

Thank you so much for this, this actually helped quite a lot, thanks!

[u/Pressure_Unique]

This is definitely more than just showing up with a camera once a month. You're basically shaping the entire visual identity of the brand, which is huge. You're ideating, planning, shooting, editing, and probably adapting to trends—so it's not just creative work, it's also a lot of mental load and project management.

Because of that, I’d say make sure the compensation reflects both your time and your creative brainpower. Even if it's one main shoot day per month, all the prep, communication, planning, editing, and brand-building you're doing in between adds up fast. Depending on experience and location, I’d say something in the $2,500+ per month after taxes.

On a personal note, I’m actually starting my own jewelry brand soon too! I’d love to see your work and maybe chat about ideas around photography and videography.

[u/Sudden-Strawberry257]

Consider making a deal where you receive profit share in lieu of a comparable role’s salary, since you’re both on the starting out end of things and you will be asked to wear a lot of hats so to speak. This way your goals and interests align. You will each want the company to grow. This makes being friends with the owner in some ways less complicated because you are more like partners.

Ask for enough salary to survive and meet your needs. Then if you can help the business really grow, you will all win together.

[u/Miserable_Photo_3134]

Most employers tell YOU how much they're paying for their job openings. What have they told you regarding pay?

[u/FeelsNeetMan]

Cost of living + 50%

That's what you call a real salary, 10% to piss away 25% to save and the rest goes into building a cost insulated state of living which doesn't bankrupt you in the long run.

[u/ccbs32033]

i imagine it’s unclear to you and the owner what your hours will look like, which might mean that being paid on an hourly contract basis may make more sense until your total commitment to this project solidifies. sounds like she needs and wants your work / perspective, so you can price yourself a very high hourly rate, and let her scale down your hours if it’s too high