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08/17/2005 11:36:25 PM · #1 |
One of the guys I work with found out that I take pictures too and has had me do some work in PS for him. Now he wants me to take photos of his family, which I would love to do, but he is asking me to give him a price for doing it. Right now I am in it more for the experience than money, and he is a really nice guy. He insisted on paying me $100 for doing the other work, which honestly consisted mostly of scanning, resizing and printing out wallet sized photos and arranging them in a frame. So what do you think I should charge? I thought just a flat small fee, and he can pay cost for prints.
I also am shooting wedding candid shots for another co-worker/friend in October (she hired a pro for group shots) and am thinking I will just give her my time as a present and once again she can pay for whatever prints she wants.
Any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks so much! |
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08/18/2005 12:09:17 AM · #2 |
Sounds to me like you got it figured out. What you are thinking sounds reasonable to me, but then I'm sure you'll hear different and I'm no expert (if there really is such a thing in these situations). Flat fee, right to use in a portfolio and deliver electronic files and let him go get the prints. I've had people "cover the cost of the prints" with me but the time I spent getting it done was more than I was happy about.
Good luck. And if nothing else, consider my advice a 'bump' ;-) |
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08/18/2005 12:19:46 AM · #3 |
| I do not charge to take the photos! I only charge for my prints which start at $6.00 (Aus) for a 6" x 4"! |
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08/18/2005 12:22:12 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Makka:
I do not charge to take the photos! I only charge for my prints which start at $6.00 (Aus) for a 6" x 4"! |
Well- there ya go! Have Makka do it. LOL |
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08/18/2005 12:53:21 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by kpriest:
Originally posted by Makka:
I do not charge to take the photos! I only charge for my prints which start at $6.00 (Aus) for a 6" x 4"! |
Well- there ya go! Have Makka do it. LOL |
But they'd have to pay my airfare to USA!!! MWuhahahaha..... |
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08/18/2005 12:59:02 AM · #6 |
I charge about 150 (that includes a roll of black and white, a roll of color and a disc with all their digitals on there). Any extra prints are extra costs. It is much lower than anyone I have ever been compared to.
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08/18/2005 01:03:25 AM · #7 |
I "gave away" my time for friends with twins. One grandma spent over $250, the parents bought prints, they brought in their family for Christmas photos (which we charged them for) and they referred several friends.
Plus, I won a second place ribbon for this shot
Good things happen when you give of yourself |
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08/18/2005 09:06:49 AM · #8 |
Pricing is subjective. It is also the means to stay in business.
1. What do the portrait houses in your area charge for family photos? Independents and chains like Sears?
2. Are you printing yourself or having a lab do the work?
3. If printing yourself, how much is your materials cost?
4. If printing yourself, are you using professional inks and papers?
5. If using a lab, how much tarvel is involved and what are their prices for the prints?
It makes no sense to LOSE money on a client. So even if you are only interested in the experience and will donate your time for free, you at least need to break even on your costs.
Do you plan to report this money as income and do you plan to deduct the costs? If not, then why not. If yes, then condsider the taxes removed from the income. If you charge only your costs and pay taxes on the income then you will have lost money on this client. If you choose not to claim the income, then consider whatever particulars may be at risk for you. Each persons situation may be different.
For some people (including me) the hardest thing to do is charge people for something that you love to do.
I have found it easiest to have a price list. It is a matter of business. Business name and contact information. Kinds of photography offered and prices of various prints. I also offer a matting and framing service from a colleague. Loose prints are one price, signed "wall art" is another and lastly package prices on print orders exceeding 10.
Good luck. IMO fair prices that allow you to offer services and still maintain the hobby are (to sustain a business you would need a different price structure): 4x6=$6.00 (10 for 45). 5x7=$8.50 (10 for 70). 8x10=$15.00 (10 for 125). 11x14=$45.00
Signed and matted 11x14's = $250.00
Hope this helps. But it all depends on your costs and the way that your hobby or business is set up. |
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08/18/2005 09:28:09 AM · #9 |
My rates for family shots are $200 for up to 1 hour. This includes as many poses/locations as they want within that time. They recieve 4x6 proof prints in BW and color from the session within 3 weeks of the shoot.
Re-print prices are as follows:
4x6 - $5
5x7 - $10
8x10 - $25
11x14 - $50
16x20 - $80
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08/18/2005 09:37:22 AM · #10 |
I charge $100/hour and, like Eric, location can vary during the time they pay me. I post process a few of the top shots and give all the shots on CD or DVD. I don't do prints for now cuz with DPCPrints, most of my Canadian orders are delayed at customs (sometimes it takes a month!).
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08/18/2005 11:31:38 AM · #11 |
| Thank you for all of your help! I am thinking about $75 for the sitting fee and prints at cost. Right now I will just have them printed at Harold's (local photo company) because they are the best in our area. |
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08/24/2005 02:46:35 PM · #12 |
Since I last posted on this topic, I have a more informed view. My research indicates that the following are criteria to be considered when pricing for family portraits or even portraits in general.
1. Location and location fee (Professionals in my area charge between $63.50 for senior outdoor locations to $125 for a client specific location)
2. Number of poses (packages in my area are for poses, meaning that a package with 1 pose selection is less than a package with 3 pose selections). A package consists of x number of 8x10's, 5x7's and wallets. More prints = more money.
3. Number of people in the photograph. More people, higher price.
Regarding lab pricing;
4. The more work you do before sending the file to the lab the less per print cost.
5. The more prints per pose, the less the per print cost.
6. Coatings. Many professionals use a coating on their larger prints (8x10's) to protect the finish. This costs extra.
7. Backing boards. Many professionals present their 8x10's on a backing board ready for framing. These cost extra.
Therefore, when considering pricing, these are some of the costs that need to be considered.
Checking with local studios on their price structure for given packages will help a person understand the market price for their area. Checking with local labs will help prepare you for the costs associated with the editing, printing, and other associated costs to delivering prints. I would suspect that all portrait and wedding photographers already know these items, but it was an eyeopener for me.
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