What’s Your Preference?

caitiums · #1 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 08:47 PM

Hi Everyone...I recently took newborn photos for my friend...you can see them here on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/10203824@N04/

Now all her friends want me to take pictures of their babies - what should i charge? do i give a disk of photos or do i make them pay for prints?

I see some established baby photographers charging upwards of 600 - obviously i wouldnt charge that since im so new - but that confused me even more!

all your professional advice is much appreciated! Thanks!!

trelaflip · #2 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 09:22 PM

When I first started out I had the toughest time figuring out what to charge people. In fact I am still having a tough time becuase I know I am not charging enough.

When I first started I always charged 10$ more then what I made at my day job. Thats just an idea. I didn't do that for long because it didn't cover any of my equipment and time for post processing. You got to keep in mind gas, batteries, repairs on equipment, etc

What do you feal your time is worth? 50$ an hour or $100?

Now I am no baby photographer and I dont have any pricing strategy on those type of shoots but here is my pricing I give to any clients wanting engagement photos. Maybe you can use it as a start or get some ideas from it.

Now like I said above. I know I am not charging enough and reason being is I have a very good other job and I can't quit that one yet.

Note this is also Canadian pricing and this shoot it take me probably hour and 1/2 to 2 hours to do.

Engagement Package - $300

1 photographer and 1 assistant/coordinator
Unlimited photos taken at 1 location
Additional locations $50/location
50* photos at full resolution on DVD
5 fully edited photos (skin retouching, color correction)

Extras:
DVD Slideshow - $100, additional copies $50
Online slideshow (www.g2photography.ca/yourname) - $150

Notes:
The amount of photos described 50 is only an estimate. Actual number may vary
Engagement shoots can run 2 – 3 hours long
All photos provided on DVD. G2 Photography is not responsible for any printing.
If you do need photos printed, please see below for pricing

Printing Prices
4 x 6 – 60cents
5 x 7 - $4.00
8 x 10 - $8.00
8 x 12 - $10.00
11 x 14 - $20.00
16 x 20 - $40.00

*Custom framing is available upon request. Call for pricing.

oldwolf · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 09:37 PM

lol at Gio (12). it looks like it needs a caption. something along the lines of "Yo! What's up?" or "Just chillin wit my rents."

great pics.

discs vs. prints. you'll get all kinds of arguments about that. the more established photographers will tell you that prints are where you make the money. they might sells discs but at very high prices.

others will tell you that they don't want the hassle of prints and would just rather give a disc.

i think it's going to come down to what your personal preference is going to be.

as for how much to charge, just remember that your work does not end after you take the pictures. you've invested time before the photo shoot to set up the appointment and you'll invest more time to post process the pictures. you'll also be delivering the disc or prints and you might even have a showing where the customer pics the pictures they like.

starting out, i'd probably say you'll be spending at least 3 hours per customer. 1 for the photo shoot and 2 for post processing and misc stuff.

so how much is your time worth to you?

keep up the good work though and definitely get more shots like Gio (12).

Brandy · #4 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 09:51 PM

You captured a bunch of really unique and beautiful shots! I can't give you any professional input because I am not, but on the consumer end for newborn shots like that I would definately be willing to pay good money. I've been thinking of how would I know what to charge as well, and I think it is good to think about what your time is worth to you. You do beautiful work. I don't think being on the more expensive end would deter clients from choosing you so much, you would just get clients who are willing to pay what you think your time is worth. When it comes to those personal, intimate captures, people are willing to pay good money for beautiful, authentic work like what you display. Beautiful use of light and dof! Keep it up.

private · #5 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 09:58 PM

I do not know much about pricing but Gio (12) AWSOME. How did you get him to ever pose like that? My son NEVER would have done that even if he was sleeping. As far as what to charge, look and see what others are charging in your area and go from there. But do not charge much less than they do...

Dizzle · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 10:00 PM

Great images! Don't be afraid to charge a fair price for your work. You are producing some great images that any parent would love to have.

imagesbyjk · #7 (**permalink**) 09-23-2008, 10:01 PM

Not to derail this conversation but Jason, I have a question for you. Actually more than just one question. Why do you charge so little for your prints first of all? Secondly, why would you charge less for a 4x6 than an 8x10? You're charging less than 1/13th for a 4x6 compared to an 8x10. Do they get 1/13th the satisfaction from the 4x6 or 13 times more satisfaction from an 8x10? My mentor early on taught me not to base my print prices on what the paper cost me. People get just as much pleasure from a 4x6 as they do an 8x10 and it takes the same amount of your time to produce either. So why charge differently for them? Just some stuff to think about.

OsmosisStudios · #8 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 12:59 AM

Jason's prices are actually similar to mine.

Imagesbyjk: the reason behind charging less for smaller prints is that they cost significantly less to make. If I charge $1 for a 4x6, i'm making 500% profit. To get that same profit margin, I'd have to charge $15 for an 8x10 (I charge 5, which is still almost 200%).

When I get up into the REALLY big stuff, I generally only make about 100% profit: the trick, though, is that 100% is usually about $100-250 per piece.

imagesbyjk · #9 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Jason's prices are actually similar to mine.

Imagesbyjk: the reason behind charging less for smaller prints is that they cost significantly less to make. If I charge $1 for a 4x6, i'm making 500% profit. To get that same profit margin, I'd have to charge $15 for an 8x10 (I charge 5, which is still almost 200%).

When I get up into the REALLY big stuff, I generally only make about 100% profit: the trick, though, is that 100% is usually about $100-250 per piece.

The fallacy of that argument is that you really aren't selling the photo paper. You're selling your time. The cost of the prints is negligible compared to the cost of your time (among other things). Most established photographers charge virtually the same price for all prints in the 4x6-8x10 range. It doesn't matter what the photo paper costs. What matters is the image and the time and equipment it took to produce that image.