First non-friend/family job

[jjjdolfan]

I was asked to do a sweet 16 - I researched my local photographers on what they charge and packages they offer so I got a handle on that.

My question is - what is the average time a photographer takes from the end of the event to giving the client their printed photos and dvd?

[OsmosisStudios]

I strive for "as quick as possible", but be generous if you're giving a quote. I have, in the past, also tried to schedule a meeting a week or so after the event in question to go over proofs, hand over deliverables, get paid, etc.

[BigFuzzy]

really varies depending on the job and how long you were there. A one hour portrait session will take lots less time than an 8 hour wedding.

Havind said that, I always have an online gallery for them to look at within a week of the session/event. Typically get it to them on a Friday so they have a weekend to look at it without being rushed since they'll want to look at it right away. It's just how I roll.

It seems that I see 2-4 weeks as an oft quoted time period.

I typically do a quick run through on the photos, delete the obvious crap ones, pick one or two and "fully process" them using various methods (normal, enhanced, b&w, cross processed, etc) so that the client sees what can be done with the images then post the rest (with the fully processed examples) on an online album for them to look at (with instructions on how to select/comment/etc).

Then I wait a few days (unless they've already gotten back to me), then I look at them again. Think of which ones I want to use for my own purposes, then work on them while waiting on the clients decision. That usually takes 1-2 weeks.

Hope that helps?

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I strive for "as quick as possible", but be generous if you're giving a quote. I have, in the past, also tried to schedule a meeting a week or so after the event in question to go over proofs, hand over deliverables, get paid, etc.

Yeah.. forgot to mention the meeting. Once I'm done with that initial phase of selection and processing the 1-2 examples.. I try to meet with them laptop/ipad in hand to show them photos and talk about options. Often though, they can decide on their own (making meeting unnecessary) which speeds things up. But that's because I work in an expat community where people rarely have much time.

[LeeR]

I agree with Os here; this is a great opportunity to overdeliver. Agree to have them done in a week and then post images where they can see them in a couple of days and you'll be a hero. Nothing will help you get new business like delivering more than you promise.

[jjjdolfan]

thank you, very helpful.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by LeeR

I agree with Os here; this is a great opportunity to overdeliver. Agree to have them done in a week and then post images where they can see them in a couple of days and you'll be a hero. Nothing will help you get new business like delivering more than you promise.

Exactly. Just be careful and don't short-change yourself. If you say a week, you better be done in a week (or less). If you feel you'll need a week, tell them 2 weeks to be safe. You never know what can come up. I just ran into that last week on a bodybuilding contest I shot. I told them a week--which was more than enough time--but some crazy family things happened and I'm running a little behind. Luckily, I've been posting photos as I'm finishing them in batches so there's something up there.

Just think Scotty from Star Trek....

[jjjdolfan]

Thank you, I think three - four weeks should be more than enough time.

Here is what I'm thinking of charging

$500 Package 1
• Photography coverage of the event
• A high resolution photo DVD - can make your own prints + Low Resolution photo DVD for sharing via emails, Facebook, or any other online photo album that you use.

or

$625 Sweet Sixteen Photography Package 2
• Photography coverage of the event
• A high resolution photo DVD - can make your own prints
• 3 - 8x10 (any three the client chooses)
• 10 - 5x7 (the client chooses)
• 10 - 4x6 (the client chooses)
• 50 Thank you cards – 4.25 x 5.5 (flat)

I also have an A la carte price list if they want to purchase photos in addition to their package and have a DVD video/with music option for $130.

I did not want to price myself out of this job so I took an average of local photographers in NJ and priced it that way. I'm not a full professional but I've done a lot of work for family, friends, my job and volunteer work for a church.

the work I've done includes:

• 3 weddings
• 1 college graduation party
• beach portraits with my kids and sister-in-law family
• baby portraits
• 1 senor prom (that was all for close family/friend) -
• Church softball league official photographer (volunteer work)
• paying gig taking photos for an association convention in Atlantic City.
• I work full-time as an IT manager but I'm my job's photographer as well for all of our special events.

I don't have an official photography website but was thinking of using flicker or google photo album to show them the proofs as well as a proof DVD.

Given that info are my prices up to par in your opinion?

[Jim Bryant]

Seems like the prices are okay, but you have to remember time spent behind the computer editing, pping and printing. And how much time are you spending at the Sweet 16 party? On Saturday I spent 1-10 covering a wedding. I plan to put 300 images on DVD for them for $2500.00. I'd would have charged more, but this was for a girl that my son with to high school together and were teammates on the cross country team. Good to give a little price break to friends.

[GadgetRick]

I don't agree with giving a price break to friends--unless very close. You're still doing the same amount of work and they expect the same level of work so they get the same price from me. I explain it to them if they ask (in nicer words of course). I've never gotten push back once I explain it that way.