Price for Senior Portraits?

[bubblegumstew]

Hey, I'm 16 and love photography, and have thought about one day trying to earn some money with it. I have though about senior portraits, but I'm not sure about how much I should charge?
I was planning on taking the pictures, going through them, then just putting them on a CD and give them to the client.
Any suggestions would be awesome,
Thanks!
Sarah

[nh7tn]

i suggest looking at local photographer's pricing just to get an idea of what your area's rates are and you can also judge how you stack up to the pros. and with ALL sessions make sure there is a contract of some kind showing what is expected from both parties

[windrider86]

You'll need to know the requirements from your school as well. Size that is appropriate. Poses, what is allowed and what is not. You'll also have to provide a copyright release.

As NH suggested, you'll need to do some resaerch for your area. I charge my normal sitting fees and then charge for photo packages. Never just give away a disk. Its like pulling every penny out of your pocket and throwing it into a fire pit

[bubblegumstew]

Thanks Windrider and NH that does help, I have seen with some school pictures that they charge about 40 dollars for a cd with copy right release.
Do you have any suggestions on a form for a "copy right release"?

[windrider86]

Actually the schools will have the form you need

[bubblegumstew]

Thanks, though I am also thinking about going by "word of mouth", so would I still need a copyright release form, saying that not only they have the right to print and make copies of the photos, but I also have the right to, I don't know, print them, make copies, and show to other people as an example of my work.
Is that something that I would need?
Sarah

[nh7tn]

I would get a simple release form that just states the client has all rights to edit and reproduce the images on the disk, and as a second item say that the photographer as the same rights for purposes only for advertising. I don't know many people that would have a problem with that as long as you tell them its just for your portfolio and you won't be printing posters to sell, just something to show the next potential client

[nokiN]

What you need is not a copyright release but a print release.

© 2009 The photographers name here, All Rights Reserved.

_________________ (the client) is hereby granted this use license to print, or have printed, any of these images made by ____________, the photographer, either at home or by any commercial printer, at a size not to exceed 10x15 inches. There is no time limit on this use license. Watermarked images, sized for use online, are provided in a seperate folder on this disk. Removal of the photographers watermark from those images, by any method, will void this agreement in it's entirety and any use of those images would constitute wilfull copyright infringement.

These images may not be edited, used in any commercial manner, nor entered in any contest, without prior written approval from the photographer.

Any other use, not mentioned here, also requires the written approval of the photographer.

[windrider86]

This is the form I use.
Copyright Release Form
I grant permission to ________________________________ to reproduce the copyrighted photos specified here.
Photographer, please check one box:
The copyright is being released on all photos taken for customer on the specified photo shoot date.
The copyright is being released on these selected images:

__________________________________________________ __

__________________________________________________ __

__________________________________________________ __

__________________________________________________ __

__________________________________________________ __



____________________________________
Customer's Name

____________________________________
Photographer’s Signature


____________________________________

Order Number ____________________________________
Studio Name


____________________________________
Date of Photo Shoot


____________________________________
Today's Date


(_______) ___________________________
Business Phone


____________________________________

[jezzicaz789]

Originally Posted by bubblegumstew

Hey, I'm 16 and love photography, and have thought about one day trying to earn some money with it. I have though about senior portraits, but I'm not sure about how much I should charge?
I was planning on taking the pictures, going through them, then just putting them on a CD and give them to the client.
Any suggestions would be awesome,
Thanks!
Sarah

Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.