What to charge? - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

05/13/2005 09:11:52 PM · #2

What kind of work? Portraits? I did the same thing a few years ago. I moved from Chicago down to Kentucky. BIG switch! People here dont make as much money, so things tend to be less expensive. But so is the cost of living. I have been running a portrait studio for 2 years, and I charge a 25 dollar sitting fee, and 20 bux a sheet for 8x10's. I happily retouch anything I can, and it seems to work well, because people LOVE quality. It has been all word of mouth advertising for me, and I am getting booked for the year already? I hope this helps.

05/13/2005 09:18:29 PM · #3

i am having a herd tim trying to figure out what to charge too. im not too far into it yet but when i start i was thinking about a $30ish sitting fee (1hour) and charging about $8 per full page of pictures (1 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7) and being considerably cheaper for my 4x6s like around .75 a piece.

i wasnt thinking of charging a 'retouching' fee at first because i just want to make sure people got good pictures

but im a youngin and havent really looked around enough

EDIT: looks like i have some good competition in the KY

Message edited by author 2005-05-13 21:21:07.

parrothead

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

05/13/2005 09:21:12 PM · #4

OUCH! I have learned one thing in my last 2 years........Charge as much for a 4x6 as you do for a 8x10. People will scan and print your pix in a second. No-matter how well you think you know them. I have gotton screwed with them and don't even offer them anymore

05/13/2005 09:25:00 PM · #5

Originally posted by parrothead:

thanks for the info

i have only done this a couple of times and most people get the 4x6s to send to people. i trust/dont really care about getting ripped off so far because i have only done it for friends and i honestly would really do it for free. but im saving the money to buy a decent photo printer. what one do you use because i currently have a canon i860 which makes some beautiful prints but i didnt know what the good guys use

Edit: fat-finger spelling errors

Message edited by author 2005-05-13 21:25:36.

parrothead

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

05/13/2005 09:30:29 PM · #6

I just got a canon i9900 and it is awesome! I ran a custom photo lab for 10 years, and the quality out of it is awesome! I only wish that it would print bigger! I order paper from red river paper in Texas. It looks and feels awesome!My customers can't believe how thick it is. My only other beef with the i9900 is that I go through photo magenta and photo cyan and yellow 5 tims faster than any other ink on it. But thenagain, I only print portraits on it. I hope that it helps!

Sunniee

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/13/2005 09:32:20 PM · #7

FYI, you can go to sears portrait studio and get:

sitting fee: $14.99
per sheet cost: $6.99, regularly $15.00
enhancements: $7.00 per enhancement, which includes vinettes, changing to b/w, hand coloring, borders...

just for comparison purposes... hope that helps!

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

05/13/2005 09:34:23 PM · #8

Originally posted by parrothead:

...I hope that it helps!

YES thanks alot! i have been very happy with my 860 and im thinkiong of going out to little leauge games and taking and selling pictures there but i ahvent figured out prices for that yet.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

05/13/2005 09:34:37 PM · #9

Originally posted by parrothead:

I just got a canon i9900 ... I go through photo magenta and photo cyan and yellow 5 tims faster than any other ink on it. But then again, I only print portraits on it...

Who are those smurfs you're photographing? ;-)