Opinions: How to handle prints with free photoshoots?

[NicoleScraps]

So I have several free/practice photo shoots lined up with various friends throughout Sept and Oct. I seriously need the practice.
I am looking for opinions for how I should handle delivering the photos to them. To those who do these type of practice shoots, do you give them a disk with full size images or do you have them order prints through you, but only charging actual print costs?
I am on the fence and would love to hear some opinions

[kuvahmagh]

Why not charge a mark up, you may need practice but if the images are good enough for them to want printed their good enough for them to pay for. You don't have to charge $30 for an 8x10 or anything but something to cover some of your expenses outside of the print would be good.

I agree with you about giving them the disk and letting them print it, to me that takes to much quality control out of my hands and puts it in theirs, people can do a lot of damage to a photo with Photoshop Elements and the desire to get one little effect.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by kuvahmagh

Why not charge a mark up, you may need practice but if the images are good enough for them to want printed their good enough for them to pay for. You don't have to charge $30 for an 8x10 or anything but something to cover some of your expenses outside of the print would be good.

I agree with you about giving them the disk and letting them print it, to me that takes to much quality control out of my hands and puts it in theirs, people can do a lot of damage to a photo with Photoshop Elements and the desire to get one little effect.

Sorry, I was editing my message as you were writing your reply. I don't know. It somehow feels icky for me to mark-up prints right now. Like I am deceiving them or something. But I suppose as I get better and get more positive feedback, I will feel better about that part.

[kuvahmagh]

I wouldn't feel bad, you are giving them the proofs, letting them pick and when they pick something you don't think will work, an enlargement that goes to far, that's when you step in and guide them towards a better option. Otherwise, like I say, if your work is good enough to print it is good enough to pay something more than cost for.

I'm not recommending you start booking weddings or tell these people that you are a great photographer with tons of groupies and that you never miss a shot, just that you tell them this is what it costs for me to do it in time, equipment etc. Give them some reduced files for use on facebook etc if they insist but make them pay for prints, otherwise without you even realizing it you will become the cheap photographer.

[kelleyrie]

when I've done a free shoot I offer a disc with the low res files and then if they wanted any printed they let me know and we went from there.

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by kelleyrie

when I've done a free shoot I offer a disc with the low res files and then if they wanted any printed they let me know and we went from there.

That's what I would do if I was you. If they want some good prints, charge them cost plus 15%...

[samnooshka]

I would charge just a small mark up just so long as you are covering the cost of getting them printed and delivered to you, and a little bit extra, as long as it is cheaper than what you would usually charge for a print so it make it seem like they are getting a great deal

As someone said, if they think they are good enough to print, then they should pay for them HTH