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03/19/2007 07:37:10 PM · #1 |
Is 50dollars an hour enough to charge for a photoshoot??? Plus the client get images on a CD. If they need prints, they have to pay for the prints. Please give me a reasonable price to start with as a beginner??? |
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03/19/2007 07:37:50 PM · #2 |
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03/19/2007 07:40:54 PM · #3 |
I did a portrait shoot for a family a few weeks ago and charged $50 per hour. Prints were extra, and if they wanted a CD of images, I charged equal to the total hourly photo fee.
For example:
2 hours at $50/hour = $100
Disk of all images = $100
Prints = whatever they buy off the web
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03/19/2007 07:40:54 PM · #4 |
LOL You on sale now? Earlier it was $75. ;)
Seriously, nobody can tell you what your photography is worth, especially when we have only seen 2 images from you. Quality is everything. I personally charge ~$100/hour for most studio sessions, many photographers charge much much much more. In the end, its up to you to decide the value of your work and charge accordingly.
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03/19/2007 08:04:24 PM · #5 |
If you are early in your studio career, then you should charge accordingly. The more expertise you have, the more you are worth; conversely, the less expertise you have, the less you are worth. (of course I'm not talking about you, but about your time).
I'm not sure where you are in your career, but by some of the questions you have posted, I'd guess you are fairly early. I'd even consider starting off for "free". That is, instead of charging a flat fee per hour, getting more creative and possibly charging only for the prints or something of the sort. That way you can work out the kinks of shooting while building up a portfolio and having people feel they are still getting a deal.
Message edited by author 2007-03-19 20:05:32. |
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03/19/2007 09:20:08 PM · #6 |
ditto doc on the doing it for free. PROVE your worth by building a collection of killer works that show you know what you're doing behind the camera. if you start charging before you're ready, you'll probably wind up frustrated and frustrating a lot of people.
if you really feel the need to charge, research the heck out of what's going on where you live. see how your work compares to what the pros are doing, and be honest with yourself as to whether or not you can consistently deliver the same goods that they are delivering. then, sample their prices. in the end, it's really not what people here charge--it's what people where you are charge... |
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03/19/2007 09:27:09 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Skip:
ditto doc on the doing it for free. PROVE your worth by building a collection of killer works that show you know what you're doing behind the camera. if you start charging before you're ready, you'll probably wind up frustrated and frustrating a lot of people.
if you really feel the need to charge, research the heck out of what's going on where you live. see how your work compares to what the pros are doing, and be honest with yourself as to whether or not you can consistently deliver the same goods that they are delivering. then, sample their prices. in the end, it's really not what people here charge--it's what people where you are charge... |
:)
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03/19/2007 09:45:37 PM · #8 |
There are many ways to charge - general theory is to charge what the market will bear. But that is not often easy to know, and starting out it's harder yet.
Just because your costs are lower is not a reason to charge less - take the 'extra money' and buy better gear, take a class in the area you want to work in, do some marketing - invest it back into your business in other words.
I started out figuring $35/hour was what I needed to make to cover my costs. I now know I can make $125-150 for some of what I do (events, santa). My wedding work I am approaching $75/hour (figuring in ALL the hours a wedding takes with consultations, prep, album design, etc) and HS seniors - now that I have figured out what to sell and how - is paying me decent money, perhaps the best money of anything I shoot.
As to the 'value' of hi-res files - i've seen it thrown in for free and up to $25 per file, or anything in between, and probably more depending on the use. I sold one to a magazine for $30 for a 1 column 3" photo - at that rate an 8x10 is worth $800 ($10/square inch).
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03/19/2007 09:53:02 PM · #9 |
I had trouble finding out that information when I first got started and most of the experienced photographers in my area were not open to talking. I am a living breathing example of the start out small (free or right above cost) shooting anyone who will let you and within a year and a half I had more word of mouth business then my partner and I could handle and we had a big enough portfolio and reputation built to charge much more.
Make sure you are honest with people about your skill level, especially if you are going to be shooting weddings or some other event that you only get one shot at. Deliver what you say you will when you say you will and people will respect you. They’ll refer their friends and you’ll have a great base of loyal customers who consider you their family photographer.
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03/19/2007 10:39:32 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Skip:
building a collection of killer works |
This is what I feel is very important.
But I also feel you should charge as much as:
1. Conscience allows - is free ridiculous? is $1000 ridiculous?
2. Market allows - study other comparable rates in related market
3. Client allows - know your client, be clever in understanding their needs and limitations
That is my personal criteria.
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03/19/2007 11:15:32 PM · #11 |
| That’s truth. When I say free you have to also take into considerations that I started with close family and friends shooting weddings, senior portraits, etc more as a gift. Then as they started recommending others and my work got out there I started throwing out pricing that I had researched and had a good idea my market would bear and my photos would back up. As your prices increase you may lose a few bids but you’ll need half as many. |
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