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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> $$$How much to charge???
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 05/03/2006 10:44:24 AM · #1


Last weekend walking through the park I took a few shots of these dogs playing in the water, just for myself...not looking for money. The owners said...sight unseen, "we'll buy the prints". I gave them a card...they contacted me yesterday and after I sent them this lo rez copy, they offered to buy it.

How much should I charge for an 8x10 print?
 05/03/2006 10:47:41 AM · #2
If it were me: I would give them the 8X10 for ~20 bucks or so since its a pop shot, then offer to do a proper outdoor or studio shoot for them with the entire family or just the dogs, etc.... Try to make new business off the contact.
05/03/2006 10:48:00 AM · #3
Depends on how bad they want the photo...
 05/03/2006 10:50:30 AM · #4
you should give them the 8x10 and then offer to reshoot the dogs for a couple hours one afternoon for $50 to $100.
 05/03/2006 11:12:48 AM · #5
Originally posted by hopper:
you should give them the 8x10 and then offer to reshoot the dogs for a couple hours one afternoon for $50 to $100.


I agree with hopper here. This could be an excellent marketing opportunity to make much more than you'd make just selling this one print. And they might have friends who want shots of their dogs... etc.

Edit: BAD typo on the word "dogs" :-)

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 11:14:50.
 05/03/2006 02:28:27 PM · #6
This might sound odd to some but I'm not certain how interested I am in taking family/dog portraits....although it could be fun.

As much as I enjoy shooting, dealing with any client at anytime, doing any service...cooking, writing, consulting, taking headshots, film editing can be more of a pain in the booty than $50 or $100 is worth.

These folks did seem very nice so it's definite thought but I'm crazy busy and I'd rather keep it a little short sited for the moment.

So $20-25 for an 8x10?
 05/03/2006 02:37:12 PM · #7
Originally posted by pawdrix:

So $20-25 for an 8x10?


Sounds just about right :0) (guess it's about time to raise my rates, mine are $15)
 05/03/2006 02:37:19 PM · #8
id go up a little bit like 35-45 dollars. think of it as film costs plus some. if you had done that same shot on film, you would have had to buy the film(9$ cuz you bought the nicest slide film, velvia), process it (10$ for 36 roll of e-6 usually), and then print it(usually 5-8$ for 8x10 depending on the place, plus 1.00 for initial slide scan). so 9+8+8 = 25$ just to cover traditional costs. 50-75% mark up for labor is in the 35-45$ realm.
 05/03/2006 02:50:09 PM · #9
Originally posted by pawdrix:
This might sound odd to some but I'm not certain how interested I am in taking family/dog portraits....although it could be fun.


Having met you, this comes as no suprise. ;)

Originally posted by pawdrix:
These folks did seem very nice so it's definite thought but I'm crazy busy and I'd rather keep it a little short sited for the moment.

So $20-25 for an 8x10?


Understandable and sounds about right.
 05/03/2006 02:51:55 PM · #10
Well my tendency is to go the other direction ... you were shooting the dogs for your own benefit anyway ... I pay $1.50 for an 8x10 print ... I don't know how much time you spent editing the photo, but you would've done that anyway. I'd give it to them at minimal cost; you could also consider it to be along the line of the common Trade-For-Prints arrangement many photographers make with models -- they didn't have to let you use pictures of their pets.
 05/03/2006 02:54:23 PM · #11
I'd price it at whatever you're comfortable with considering the situation. If you price it lower, you might want to somehow indicate that the lower price is not your standard rate for that size.
 05/03/2006 02:54:37 PM · #12
Tell 'em your usual charge for an 8x10 is $50.00 but this isn't your usual line of work. Offer them the choice between paying $50.00 and getting a free copy. See which they opt for :-)

R.
 05/03/2006 02:56:53 PM · #13
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Tell 'em your usual charge for an 8x10 is $50.00 but this isn't your usual line of work. Offer them the choice between paying $50.00 and getting a free copy. See which they opt for :-)

R.

Yes, I think that nicely summarizes the previous two posts : )
 05/03/2006 03:00:08 PM · #14
Originally posted by hopper:
you should give them the 8x10 and then offer to reshoot the dogs for a couple hours one afternoon for $50 to $100.


That business practice isn't working well right now.

Many people have a lot less disposable income than usual because of rising fuel prices. I say take the $20 ... if they want more then set up a "proper" shoot.
 05/03/2006 03:00:21 PM · #15
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Tell 'em your usual charge for an 8x10 is $50.00 but this isn't your usual line of work. Offer them the choice between paying $50.00 and getting a free copy. See which they opt for :-)

R.

Yes, I think that nicely summarizes the previous two posts : )

yeah, but if they opt for the free one, tell 'em they have to strip half nekid and push a shopping cart while you photograph them...

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 15:00:52.
 05/03/2006 03:16:39 PM · #16
Wow, I suppose we are too cheap here, an 8X10 here goes for $10. Being that its just a snapshot, I'd say thats more then a fair price.

MattO
 05/03/2006 03:26:59 PM · #17
I wouldn't accept less than $25....bare minimum but I will tell her that I normally get $50 for a print and see what she says. She has the low rez version for free which is a start.

I'll bet anything she'll have no problem with it but if she waivers I'll work with her....and yes, I'll also offer to do a more formal shoot if she'd like but for no less than $150 for like 3-4 hours work total, plus a a few prints. Gotta figure I've worked much harder for a lot less.

Thank you all for your advice. Much appreciated.

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 16:02:54.
 05/03/2006 03:36:31 PM · #18
$20 isn't going to make you rich, it's not worth the cost of going through the hassle of printing it. I'd email them the full size version for 8x10 printing and let them do what the want with it, no charge.
Then when they want real photos done or they have friends that want photos done, guess who they'll call? Even if they don't, you did a nice thing, you get to feel good about it, and you are not out anything.

05/03/2006 04:44:48 PM · #19
just a comment, not directed at anyone in particular...

if you normally charge $50, then charge $50. if you normally "say" you charge $50, but you really only charge $25, then you really should say you normally charge $25.

the point is, don't come off sounding like a mattress salesman. figure out what a fair price is, AND STICK WITH IT.

when i'm working, i sell my prints. when i'm goofing off, i usually give them away. my prices are published, and very rarely do i discount. i just don't have time to dick around, trying to make everyone happy with a price-of-the-day.

just some food for thought ;-)
 05/03/2006 05:45:41 PM · #20
Originally posted by skiprow:
just a comment, not directed at anyone in particular...
if you normally charge $50, then charge $50. if you normally "say" you charge $50, but you really only charge $25, then you really should say you normally charge $25.


Skip...I agree. I honestly have no real set rate...one of my Times Square images sold for $300 framed and I've also given the same image away and another time I sold the same size for $125. I can say the exact same for probably 5 other images in my portfolio.

I am curious what the market will bare in this particular case and I wouldn't mind getting the most for my work. So testing a certain price here in NYC where rates are all over the freakin place and establishing a general rule of thumb is what I'm after. Honestly I could care less, if I gave the image away but this is an opportunity to experiment.

There are so many people giving it away and I don't want to be the bozo who'll do it for less. There are people who'll sell that doggie image at $5 and another guy will have no issue selling it at $100 or more AND people will gladly pay the top dollar. If you establish yourself low...that's where you'll most likely stay. Some people want to spend more because they feel like they are getting greater value....might even feel better or even more secure saying/bragging "I paid $375..."

Nobody flashes a ROLEX and boasts "...fifteen bucks!!!"

My business practice ...which has been working well over the last 10-15 years has been to charge the absolute most I can until things force me to scale back.

Message edited by author 2006-05-04 08:20:14.
 05/03/2006 06:04:36 PM · #21
Originally posted by idnic:
If it were me: I would give them the 8X10 for ~20 bucks or so since its a pop shot, then offer to do a proper outdoor or studio shoot for them with the entire family or just the dogs, etc.... Try to make new business off the contact.


I was just reading the starting Post and i was thinking this very thought... the picture is good. But i would actually offer to do a shoot for them one day with there dogs. just let them go and do there thing and just shoot away! i would say 50$ for you to shoot and if they want print i have been telling some people if they pay for the enlargement then the can just pay the store price.... but if you want to charge extra for the enlargement thats were the $$ is.....
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