First paid event, Please Help!!!

[rickp1]

I've been approached with a possible project taking pictures for a young girl's 15th B-Day party. To be honest this would be my first paid gig and I really don't know how much to charge her. From what I've been told, the event is at a ball room hall and should be about 3 to 4 hours in length. So far this is all the info I have. I have done an engagement shoot for a family member in the past, but that was probono work.

So with this information, what is an acceptable rate for the event?

Also, please share any consideration you might have for me, I'm sure I haven't thought about many.

Thanks

R.

$150/hr.

~Eric

[rickp1]

Eric,
Really, $150/hr?!?!? Even for a new photographer, to be honest it sounds a bit high. Don't get me wrong, I want to make money but I'm just trying to be honest and realistic.


R.

[justalive]

that sounds right

Originally Posted by rickp1

Eric,
Really, $150/hr?!?!? Even for a new photographer, to be honest it sounds a bit high. Don't get me wrong, I want to make money but I'm just trying to be honest and realistic.


R.

I'm trying to be honest and realistic too.

Look at all the expenses that you will incur.

~Eric

[rickp1]

Ok.
let me ask you something else, how do you handle printing. Meaning once the image is PPed and done do you take it somewhere to print and add that cost to the end fee?

R>

[BexJarratt]

Do you know what kind of product they're after? Do they want an album/ storybook, or formal portraits of couples/groups, or candid photos/informal portraits for individuals to purchase?

If they want an album/storybook you could combine your hourly rate with the cost of the product, I think that makes cost seem more in perspective for the customer (speaking from a customer point of view, I've never done any paid shoots). Then you'll make a bunch more cash selling shots of couples/groups you shoot in between.

[rickp1]

I think they just want regular shots of the B-Day party, the event as a whole, not poses of the girl or specific portraits only. But I can find out when the details come up.

R

[rickp1]

Another question for you.

How man images are you taking or giving the client at the end during this type of event?

R.

[Tara333]

Not trying to be obnoxious but you may need to discuss all of these things with your client first. After the event, present the finished product to the customer and allow them to chose what they want printed and so on. As for the hourly rate, $150/hr is reasonable. I typically say that for every hour shooting there's about two hours of pp.