#1 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 02:06 AM
madisonlaird
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Exclamation Senior Portraits PRICING - help

Hello All!

So I've been into photography for about 4 years now and I'm 17 years old. I don't consider myself a professional. But people really like my work. Anyway, I knew this time would come someday and I should've been ready with an answer...but alas, I was not. SO, I just got asked if I do senior portraits and if so, how much do I charge. I don't have a clue how to charge for senior portraits! And I need to get back to this girl asap because she is asking on account of herself and two of her friends. That'd be three people! Anyway, since I'm not the best of the best...I don't want to charge outrageously...what would be a GOOD deal to charge? $100? Or how does it work. Like $60 for a one hour session and maybe $125 for a two hour session? I have no idea how it works. So please help me as soon as you can!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 08:34 AM
Jim Poor's Avatar
Class Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,501
Default

Given that as recently as November you were asking beginner level questions about external flash coupled with your own statement:
Quote:
have no idea how it works. So please help me as soon as you can!
the best advice I can give is "don't, until you do have an idea how it works."

All that said, $100 for a session sounds low if your work is up to snuff. If it's not up to snuff, you don't have any business charging for it to begin with.
__________________
Best,
Jim
Facebook
Visit my website
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 04:12 PM
KimberlyH's Avatar
dPS Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 83
Default

Jim Poor, I really like you. Great response and well said!
__________________
Canon 450D, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, Canon Speedlite 430 EX II
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 04:17 PM
Amateur Photographer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Coloma, MI
Posts: 7
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Poor View Post
All that said, $100 for a session sounds low if your work is up to snuff. If it's not up to snuff, you don't have any business charging for it to begin with.
I am curious, at what point do you know your up to snuff?

You think you have learned everything about photography? Or you have people looking at your work and think it is very good, enough to ask if you would shoot for them?
Or you just say you are, and charge $800 for a Portrait session?

I think there are a lot of new photographers that wonder about this.
At what point am I up to snuff? when should I charge people that want me to take pictures for them? I am not asking this to be mean or rude, I think it is a good question.

If your stuff is up to snuff, what would be a starting range to charge?
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 04:19 PM
BigFuzzy's Avatar
Mini-Mod
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Under a bridge, somewhere in northern Europe.
Posts: 2,746
Default

+1 what Jim said..

What I'd do is contact a local photographer (a good one of course) and say "hey, I have three potential clients, if I can get you these three can I be there while you work with them as I'm an aspiring photographer who wants to learn".. and see how it goes. You definitely need some experience before charging based on your comments here in the past.
__________________
Al Borrelli Photography (being re-awesomefied.. pls be patient!)
I'll make you look good

Flickr | Twitter | Tumblr | about.me | Vimeo | 500Px
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 04:22 PM
BigFuzzy's Avatar
Mini-Mod
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Under a bridge, somewhere in northern Europe.
Posts: 2,746
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottie_the_Rebel View Post
I am curious, at what point do you know your up to snuff?

You think you have learned everything about photography? Or you have people looking at your work and think it is very good, enough to ask if you would shoot for them?
Or you just say you are, and charge $800 for a Portrait session?

I think there are a lot of new photographers that wonder about this.
At what point am I up to snuff? when should I charge people that want me to take pictures for them? I am not asking this to be mean or rude, I think it is a good question.

If your stuff is up to snuff, what would be a starting range to charge?
One key marker (imho) is when you know how to use flash to the point that you can choose not to use it.
__________________
Al Borrelli Photography (being re-awesomefied.. pls be patient!)
I'll make you look good

Flickr | Twitter | Tumblr | about.me | Vimeo | 500Px
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 04:24 PM
Jim Poor's Avatar
Class Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,501
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottie_the_Rebel View Post
I am curious, at what point do you know your up to snuff?

You think you have learned everything about photography? Or you have people looking at your work and think it is very good, enough to ask if you would shoot for them?
Or you just say you are, and charge $800 for a Portrait session?

I think there are a lot of new photographers that wonder about this.
At what point am I up to snuff? when should I charge people that want me to take pictures for them? I am not asking this to be mean or rude, I think it is a good question.

If your stuff is up to snuff, what would be a starting range to charge?

Does anyone ever know for sure that they are up to snuff before they get started? Probably not, if we're honest. However, a lack of basic knowledge of foundational photography techniques is a pretty good indicator that it's not time.
__________________
Best,
Jim
Facebook
Visit my website
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 04:26 PM
dPS Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 387
Default

If these are friends of yours, or close to it, do it as TFP. You dont charge them, but get the experience and the photos for your own portfolio and they get prints and or copies for themselves.

Its a win/win that way.
Let them know before hand you are just starting out and learning, That way the expectations are not very high, they can still have them done by a local pro and pay for them, but this way you also get some experience out of it.

jmo.
__________________
[Body] Nikon d3100 |
[Glass] Nikon 18-55mmVR | Nikon AF-S 55-200 | Nikon 35mm 1.8 AF-S
[Flash] Nikon SB600 |
[Other] Sears 28mm f2.8 | Nikon 50mm f1.8 E | Tokina 80-200 f/4 |
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 06:01 PM
Niresangwa's Avatar
Hack
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Posts: 2,011
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottie_the_Rebel View Post
I am curious, at what point do you know your up to snuff?
When you don't have to ask "how much should I charge?" on a forum.

When you're ready to charge you should already have the confidence with your equipment and technique, and should have done enough reading and research to know how to implement a business plan.
__________________
Website ... Blog ... Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2011, 11:04 PM
royey123's Avatar
cUsToM UsEr TiTlE
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 113
Default

I can't wait until I'm a pro so that I can be rude, arrogant and condescending. I've seen it daily on this forum and I am tired of seeing it. We come here to ask questions and bounce ideas and learn and if we aren't the end all be all of photography knowledge then we have no business receiving a dollar? BS.

Why is the beginning wage of a new photographer always "free?"
If you have a portfolio - and I know you do - they've obviously seen it. If you name your price, whether its free and charge for prints or $20 or $50 or $400 - charge what you feel your work is worth and if they like your portfolio and also feel you are worth that amount then they will hire you.
__________________
Roy

My Flickr
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

What’s Your Preference?

Daily Digest

Each day we send out a quick email to thousands of DPS readers to notify them of updates. This email is just short excerpt of the first few lines of our latest post with a link if you want to read it all. You can unsubscribe from this this service at any time.

This service is provided by a third party (Feedburner) and you can subscribe to it by leaving your email address in the following field and confirming your subscription when you get an email asking you to do so.

Enter your email address for
Daily Updates:

Weekly Summary

For those wanting a weekly summary of what happens on this site this free email newsletter is probably your best option. It includes a summary of the tips posted to the site each week. This newsletter is subscribed to by over 25000 readers (many who also subscribe to the other options above) - come join the community!

To subscribe to this weekly newsletter simply add your email address to the following field and then follow the confirmation prompts. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

Enter your email address for
Free Weekly Newsletter:

 
SEO by vBSEO 3.3.0