Portrait Packages

[Gina9942]

I was recently contacted to do a maternity shoot.

Usually I charge a sitting fee and offer 7-10 photos on cd, which is included. The mother-to-be is friends with someone who I just shot for at this price so I am going to keep it the same, (I am changing that after her) but she asked about packages and me printing them. I have no problem doing that, and as I was recently putting my website together I was going to look into offering prints.

My question is what sort of packages do you offer? I am not sure what people are looking for size wise. Would I be better off offering a la carte prices? I also read on here recently someone charges per file on cd, I am going to steal that idea , my family and friends always yell at me that I charge too little and should charge more, so I am just going to do it. I was just wondering what sort of packages to put together.

Oh and if anyone is in the NY area, any printer recommendations

TIA!!!

[prince]

A sample I have seen very common is approximately like this (with restrictions on poses, outfits, locations, time)
Wallet size - 8 (2 sets of 4)
4x6 - 5
5x7 - 2
8x10 - 1

These are in the basic packages

You can adjust the quantity & different combinations depending on what your local market is like.. If you want to stand out, well try something that very few or no one is doing.

I am in a similar process and have found lots of different packages on offer. You might want to pick what best suits you and you earn what you expect.

Good luck!!

[wsu_danielle]

You may consider offering both a la carte *and* packages. Although I do not offer prints, I recently had a baby and the hospital photography company only offered packages. We reluctantly bought one, but I would have much preferred a la carte pricing. We didn't have much money to spend and the cheapest package started at $60.

Someday when I decide to offer prints, I plan to offer both. Packages will save them a little money, which will hopefully encourage them to purchase the package and actually spend a little more than they'd planned. What I mean is, say I'm charging $5 for 5x7's and $10 for 8x10's. I may offer a package that has 2 5x7's and 1 8x10 for $18 or something and make sure it says "save X dollars!" next to the package. (I know that's not the best example, but I'm sure you get what I mean.)

Just a thought. HTH!

[prince]

Originally Posted by wsu_danielle

You may consider offering both a la carte *and* packages.

Sorry, I should have said that. I mean I am analyzing my price structure and debating the options. However, I plan to offer CD/DVD and prints with more emphasize on CD/DVD. If clients want me to get them prints than I will do it. As Danielle said and also someone on on of my discussion threads said it's good to make customers feel that they control the pricing but it is you who guides them to your preferred way. Clients like flexibility and get spoiled by choices IMO.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by prince

Clients like flexibility and get spoiled by choices IMO.

They like flexibility but they also like guidance, whether it's direct or what I would deem preferable, indirectly.

By offering, for arguments sake, 3 separate packages you can guide them towards the package you prefer them to purchase. Offer one low cost, one that is more expensive but has greater total value, and one high-end package to make the second more palatable.

If you've set your price point correctly, you should find that they're innately steered towards option 2. If they go with option 1, c'est la vie (your profit margin may not be as high as the other two, but it's a sale). If they go with option 3, you lucked out. As long as you make sure you're profitable on package 1, you're always on safe ground.

A la carte may offer a really budget conscious client an 'option' but by applying a minimum order price for a la carte orders, you can once again steer them towards a package.

Of course, I don't offer prints. Doesn't mean I didn't go through the motions of constructing a plan in the above manner however, as it applies to pricing of wedding packages and has been successful for me in that vein.

[prince]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

A la carte may offer a really budget conscious client an 'option' but by applying a minimum order price for a la carte orders, you can once again steer them towards a package.

Good point.

Additionally, is it advisable to give discounts right from day1 of launching one's business. I was planning to but now am not. I am considering referral discount though. Any thoughts?

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by prince

Additionally, is it advisable to give discounts right from day1 of launching one's business. I was planning to but now am not. I am considering referral discount though. Any thoughts?

The only 'discount' I've given was a one time promotion for gift certificates. It wasn't especially successful amounting to only a couple of bookings.

In terms of referral rewards, I'd rather offer an extra 8x10 print than a monetary discount. If I offer a discount that is big enough to be an incentive, it's harder on me than offering a print that ultimately costs me a couple of bucks.

If and when things slow down for me, I'll probably look into engineering incentive opportunities, but right now, it's not a priority.

[Jim Bryant]

I offer three different packages plus al la carte.

[SuperDan]

i offer the basic" and then a "family" but i do offer al a carte too!

for when i get to shooting seniors then I will do a package for them

ive had results doing both...

i put a min of $50 on my alacarte and noone has seemed to be bothered

[Gina9942]

If you don't mind me asking, what type of sizes and quantity do you offer in your packages??