DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Pricing a Job help.
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 5 of 5, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 01/29/2010 07:23:15 PM · #1
Hello,

I've asked for photography tips on an upcoming job and got some good tips. Now I need some pricing info.

I will be competing with a pro photographer that has been working with the school for years. Someone has now asked him to quote a job that I am quoting on.

Now that I will be competing, I need to obviously beat out this competition without going lower than I should.

This is a "Sweet 16" party for 17 girls. There will be 300 - 500 guests. My daughter is one of the girls. Each parent paid 1/17 share of the fee for the party. This fee is already paid so it won't be a barter type deal.

The photography job will be:

Photograph the 17 girls with their fathers. This will be separate - like a homecoming court.

Photograph the girls in groups of 5 or 6 to be printed in the local paper.

Take candid shots.

All photographs will be priced and sold by me.

The party is for four hours long and I will be shooting candids for the duration.


My question to you is: What should my price be for the job - not including the prices for the photos.

Thanks for your help !

KS

01/29/2010 11:58:08 PM · #2
if they had called me and asked me for it, I would quote them my event coverage prices and treat it like that, in which case it's $150 p/h for the shooting.

This does not include any post processing though, and then I would bring in options like $200 for basic processing (straightening, basic levels) or $500 for 'groomed' pics, which is when I do what I think needs to be done to a given pic, I hand pick the best shots, edit them until I think they look cool, and then supply them (this is what I do for my weddings).

However, if you're treating this as the same deal as a wedding- ie: you turn up and cover everything such as the getting ready, the makeup, the interaction stuff before, during and after the event- because that's what this sounds like, albeit without a ceremony, then price accordingly based on your wedding price list.

Now then, you have to decide whether you're including print credit, an album, framed prints, a cd (hi-res or low-res) of the pics, whatever else- if you include these in your pricing/proposal it will provide more 'value for money' and therefore some incetivisation.

Now since you have no idea what the other guy is charging, don't adjust your prices just to simply undercut the other guy. When I have a client that wants to negotiate price, I will only change the actual price as a last resort but will first try to 'sweeten the deal' with maybe a bit more print credit or more album pages or something so I don't make less basically.

I hope this helped...

01/30/2010 11:10:24 AM · #3
Thanks Tez....the price would be pretty much the per-hour charge. There will be very little setup or "grooming". I will also be able to set my per print price for the sales.

Originally posted by Tez:
if they had called me and asked me for it, I would quote them my event coverage prices and treat it like that, in which case it's $150 p/h for the shooting.

This does not include any post processing though, and then I would bring in options like $200 for basic processing (straightening, basic levels) or $500 for 'groomed' pics, which is when I do what I think needs to be done to a given pic, I hand pick the best shots, edit them until I think they look cool, and then supply them (this is what I do for my weddings).

However, if you're treating this as the same deal as a wedding- ie: you turn up and cover everything such as the getting ready, the makeup, the interaction stuff before, during and after the event- because that's what this sounds like, albeit without a ceremony, then price accordingly based on your wedding price list.

Now then, you have to decide whether you're including print credit, an album, framed prints, a cd (hi-res or low-res) of the pics, whatever else- if you include these in your pricing/proposal it will provide more 'value for money' and therefore some incetivisation.

Now since you have no idea what the other guy is charging, don't adjust your prices just to simply undercut the other guy. When I have a client that wants to negotiate price, I will only change the actual price as a last resort but will first try to 'sweeten the deal' with maybe a bit more print credit or more album pages or something so I don't make less basically.

I hope this helped...
01/30/2010 11:30:11 AM · #4
Kenny, charge what you would normally charge, tell them exactly what you will give in return. You win either way.
A) you get the gig and make money.
B) You get to watch a âProâ work and gain knowledge.
 01/30/2010 06:23:19 PM · #5
I have thought about watching the pro too ! We have a meeting Monday night and I'll turn in my quote and let you know what happens.

Thanks,

Originally posted by alans_world:
Kenny, charge what you would normally charge, tell them exactly what you will give in return. You win either way.
A) you get the gig and make money.
B) You get to watch a âProâ work and gain knowledge.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 08/13/2025 06:31:41 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/13/2025 06:31:41 PM EDT.