Price Package and printing advice

04/29/2009 10:21:06 AM · #1

I know that this horse had been beat to death...but horse hasn't died yet and is still kicking....

I've finally got a handle on how to price my CD's for models and musicians and such. Since most of these are used for promotional pieces such as posters, online, and stuff like that, I offer them CD's with a cost per photo.

Today I got a request for something I do not really know how to price...Family Photos. Here's is what I do know. I will NOT be offering a CD. Since Models and musicians need multiple copies to advertise every where, I'm capable of giving them a CD and requiring them to give me credit where they post (plus a lower cost per photo). Family Portraits are different and I will be offering prints (this part isn't debatable lol). I know that I will be charging a sitting fee (probably for $150). Each photo will be a mark up of the cost to print and ship the photos....

Here is what I don't know....Where do people get their prints from? I was considering using MPix because they did a good job with a poster sized photo I had printed a while back, but where do other people order prints from? Packages....how do you look at putting together packages...(ie how many 8x10, 5x7, wallets, etc)? Do you offer frames? What about poster sized?

Thank you

Message edited by author 2009-04-29 10:41:41.

04/29/2009 02:20:54 PM · #2

bump

Prof_Fate

04/29/2009 03:08:30 PM · #3

First, what is the typical family port package? One big one and 5 little ones. Meanin, one wall portrait and 5 smaller prints.

So pick a price - say $400 for an 11x14 and 5 8x10 or smaller prints. They can up the main image to a 16x20 for an additional $100. A 20x24 for $100 more. etc. Keeps it simple.

Now when you shoot them do the big family grouping of course, but also the parents alone, the kids alone, each kid, etc. The more you shoot the more you can sell.

Where do 'people' or professional photographers get their prints from? It's alot like tires - 'people' get them from sears or the local gas station, but a professional tire store gets them from a wholesaler or manufacturer.

There are a LOT of pro labs out there. Millers owns Mpix, also there is H&H Color, WHCC, Buckeye, ProFilmet, Image Place and dozens more I could name. All offer the baics and some offer a lot more - canvas wraps, framing, metallic prints, press products, book and albums, metal products, sports stuff, etc, etc. Prices for an 8x10 can run 89c to $3.75 depending on what they do (basic printing to full color/density). Most use ROES as an interface but some have their own dedicated software, some bill monthly and some use your cc for every order. some are close to you (quick turnaround) and some are 3000 miles away (avoid that if possible).

I use 1 lab for 85% of my stuff and 2 or 3 other labs for a special product or because one does something nicer or cheaper.

04/29/2009 03:25:45 PM · #4

Thanks for the advice Prof. I guess I was looking more along the lines of what are the typical packages people are offering when someone wants an idea of a price? Prof said one large and 5 small prints, which is something I would like to do. Is the $400 you quoted for each photo they ask to be printed in those sizes?

And when I asked where people get prints from...I was more looking which place people preferred. I've worked with MPIX and ACI for personal projects but was wondering what others are using for their packages.

Prof_Fate

04/29/2009 03:50:52 PM · #5

$400 would be all the prints in a the package, hence it being a package.

So you could list it this way:
1 11x14, 5 8x10 or smaller, any poses, $400, Save $50!

AlaCarte
11x14 $249
8x10 or smaller, $40 ea

Or whatever pricing works for you. The concept is you want them to spend a minimum amount of money - it takes you the same effort and time for the whole deal whether they buy 1 8x10 or a 16x20 and 10 5x7s. So you want you want to do is insure you'll get a minumum sale from them - a package does this for you. If your smallest package is $400 (plus the sitting fee of say $80) you know you'll make at least $480 off a family port session.

Perhaps 1 in 30 may not buy a package so you have the ala carte option so they can buy something else, and it also shows them that a package is a much better way to go - pushing them into your minumum sale area.

Now for that price I frame the 11x14 - it builds value in the package, is a convenience thing for them, and you know they'll be able to go home and hang your work instead of 'well, one day we'll frame it and get it out from under the bed'.

I use profilmet for 85% of my stuff.
I use H&H for wallets, coffee table books, metal stuff
I'm working on setting up an account with WHCC for some specialty stuff no one else offers.
I use Simply Canvas for gallery wraps as I find them to have the best product.

04/29/2009 03:53:34 PM · #6

Thanks Prof...that's exactly the type of Advice I was looking to hear.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/29/2009 04:46:20 PM · #7

I've had great luck with WHCC and Millers for my portrait work. I'm sure there are other great labs, but these are the two I have experience with. Millers, in particular, has provided fantastic customer service and great quality.

As to the question of packages, I've quit offering them because every single customer wanted to 'customize' their package in some way. Right now I price everything a la carte and then offer a discount when they reach certain price points. If somebody asks what some portraits might cost, I'll talk to them for a few minutes and then price out a typical selection of images for what they have described. My prices are right on my web site if you want to look. These prices will probably seem a bit low, but I am still breaking into a market with a couple of very well established, and talented, pros.

I've also abandon the concept of a sitting fee this year because it always seemed to work against me. In a number of situations people assumed they had a right to the images because they paid me to shoot them, despite the fact that I had explained otherwise prior to shooting. Now I have a minimum print purchase that I collect as a deposit in advance and customers clearly understand that what they get is prints (work for self-promotion or publication is completely different). So far this approach has worked much better for me.

Message edited by author 2009-04-29 16:48:35.