Portrait Session Pricing - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

05/08/2006 01:51:36 PM · #1

Can someone take a look at my prices and compare them to yours...tell me what you think - relatively cheap, relatively expensive, affordable?

Did I design my pricing well or is it too complicated?
----
Portrait Session: $49
(Couples, High School Seniors, Family, Modeling Shots, Kids, Pets, Corporate, Outdoor Locations, You Name It!)

Includes:
Â· Time on Location (Up to 1.5 Hours With Unlimited Clothing Changes)
Â· Proof CD With Up To 50 Proofs
Â· Custom Digital Processing of 10 Proof Selections

Additional:
Â· $25 Each Additional Half Hour
Â· Additional Processing For Only $10 Per Proof

Print Pricing:
â��Full Frameâ�� Sizes:
o Five 4x6â��s ($25)
o 8x12 ($15)
o 12x18 ($40)
Cropped Sizes:
o 5x5 ($6)
o 6x6 ($8)
o 5x7 ($8)
o 8x10 ($15)
o 11x14 ($30)

Message edited by author 2006-05-08 13:52:05.

Chiqui

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

05/08/2006 01:57:36 PM · #2

the proof CD included in the $49, are the proofs full size or low res? I wouldnt give full size. Offer those extra for a fee.

June

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/08/2006 08:49:49 PM · #3

they are low res and watermarked.

Can I get some more feedback on this please?

blazingmoonlight

Canon EOS-5D

05/08/2006 08:56:50 PM · #4

I'd say way too cheap. I can't imagine you doing much more than breaking even here. Keep in mind gas, equipment, printing, marketing, electric bills, rent, not to mention your time (including post processing), etc.

You can view my pricing at //www.amyparrish.com/portraitpricing to see what I do, though I'm pretty new in the game as well.

I've chosen to have a slightly higher session fee with lower print prices to discourage people from scanning & sharing. If a 5x7 was $50 I think they'd be more likely to scan than at a mere $15. I don't know if this really works...just a theory. I'm also opting to do fewer sessions with higher $$ as opposed to several sessions with lower $$. Just a personal preference.

Good luck! This has got to be an exciting time for you!!

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

05/08/2006 09:01:34 PM · #5

I'd really like to know what people think about this sort of thing, too. I'm always afraid of pricing too low and "giving stuff away", but at the same time, am just as afraid of pricing too high and not getting any business.

And what about pricing beyond just portrait shots? Is there some sort of standard for photo work and pricing? Is there a webpage somewhere that deals with this sort of thing?

Don't mean to hijack, I'm just really interested in learning anything I can about this, too.

Prof_Fate

05/08/2006 09:05:54 PM · #6

One biz model is to take as many shots/poses/outfits as possible in the hopes of selling more prints.

I charge more of a session fee than you but my prints are cheaper. I agree with blazingmoonlight that people will copy if htey can these days.

I do web proofing. i get space from my regular internet provider (175Mb) and use Breezeborwser pro to make the proof pages and i just upload them.

//www.viewandchoose.com and the print prices are there.

Maria was an on-location shoot, about an hour, maybe a few minutes more. 172 captures for 80 proofs, $79. I also gave them a $40 print credit - i've done this in the past (4 8x10s cost me $4) so the only loss might be in add'l print sales - but then, they know they get $40 free so perhaps they;ll buy more than they might otherwise. Too early to tell how well this works, but has worked twice of two tries...

05/08/2006 10:35:33 PM · #7

Originally posted by blazingmoonlight:

I'm sorry...I didn't really tell everyone that I am only planning on doing this part time - I have a full time job during the late afternoon and evening. So I'm not looking to make a living off this. Also, I'm doing almost exlusively word of mouth advertising and all my equipment has already been purchased so I really don't have any overhead.

I'll check all your pricing sheets out but I wanted mine to be super affordable because again, it's a part time thing for me.

wee_ag

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/29/2006 02:49:13 PM · #8

Hello all, I've got a similar question.

I'm just starting the photog business and I've got a couple of family reunion group shots coming up. I told the first customer I would charge $20 per 8x10 that they wanted to order. That's the only fee I'm charging. It's about a 10 minute drive to the location the photo will be taken in and I'll only be there at most an hour to get the photo and have them tell me if they like it or not (reviewing it on my laptop).

I haven't a clue about pricing and hunted around the web and on DPC and that seems an average price. Did I do ok?

Thanks for the contiuned help for those like myself that need all the help we can get!

Elvis_L

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/29/2006 03:03:38 PM · #9

If you are going to be there anyway I would ask your primary customer if it was ok for you to hang around and take many photos that they could order later if they want. then use a place like smugmug to post them to the web so many members of the family could order. if you take the right photos you could makes lots of sales. try to figure out who people don't like and avoid having them in the shot when you can as this could prevent sales "I would love this if Henry didn't have his stupid face in it" also take several of the oldest and youngest people there. People love sentimental photos of those they think may not have much left and they love photos of young children.

anyway just some sugestions.

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/29/2006 03:35:07 PM · #10

I never charge less than $100/hour. I hate dealing with prints so I include the high res images in the price and they can go and print them wherever they want (I know you make some nice coin off prints but it's not my thing).

I also post process a few and make sure they see them 1st on the CD with the originals. If they want more images post processed it's roughly $10/image.

Edit to say that if I lived in the US I would use DPC Prints and charge for prints, but with US/Canadian customs sometimes holding packages more than 3 weeks, it's not a feasible option. :-)

Message edited by author 2006-05-29 15:37:46.