I just returned from shooting a wedding in Hua Hin Thailand which was my primary purpose for this particular trip. My client wanted me and was willing to pay whatever it took. If
I'd only shot that one wedding I would have had to charge him three times what I did, and it still wouldn't have been as profitable as a single local wedding. Travel days, shipping/renting equipment, accommodations, opportunity costs, insurance, the costs are extreme if you want to be fair to yourself.
I liked this client (former workshop student, bride my former model) so to make it work for everyone I decided to work/play in Thailand for 30 days and started booking workshops so as to spread out the costs and travel over a longer period. I ended up with very few days off for myself, demand was unusually heavy, but from my hotel room in Los Angeles (due to fly home tomorrow) I feel it was a very productive month and I feel a lot better about the final costs to my client.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is to try and consider such jobs out of the box and see if you can also reap value through other sources such as in the opportunity to build your profile, vacation opportunity, combining jobs, etc.. and to be sure to factor in all costs because many are easily missed on first review. I probably couldn't have pulled this off in.. let's sat Scotland.. but with my established presence in Thailand I could.
I can't wait to get home tomorrow and start uploading files..