What to Charge??

[law4mary]

I will be doing my first "professional" shoot - newborn in their home - and I have no idea what to charge. I have looked online and it really is dramatic how it can vary so I am not sure what I should charge for my first session. Flat rate vs. Sitting fee and prints separate - I have no idea. Any suggestions??

[compleks]

Wish I could help, but I wouldn't have a clue either. There was a thread posted or linked to recently about valuing your work.
Not sure if it had any figures in it though.

Just make sure you do not undervalue yourself

[candleman]

are you selling prints or files on CD?

if its prints..
(this is just what i would do)
minimal sitting fee.. and then price prints accordingly

or

if its files on CD charge an hourly rate.. but pump the price up.. and sell the fact they can print as much as they like.

OR... the logical thing to do..
ask them what they want and decide form there
do they want prints or a CD.. both?
images for web is a seperate issue.. charge extra for that.

BTW.. this wil get moved to "earning with Photography... incase you cant find it later

[candleman]

Originally Posted by compleks

Just make sure you do not undervalue yourself

or overvalue yourself either.. (with all due respect)
the last thing you need is "she ripped me off and the pictures sucked"
so charge according to your skill level VS. the skill level and prices of other local photographers.

anyway,
heres a helpful link.. read through it and others from Jim.
Value your work and charge accordingly

[jatma]

i'm surprised that the client didn't ask about pricing before setting an appointment.


I wish you luck - I hope it goes well for you. I'm still building my portfolio and find the pricing issue very interesting.

I'd love to hear what you end up doing - so please report back.

thanks

[law4mary]

Well this is aunique situation (but probably not unlike how a lot of people get started). Someone I work with saw my pictures, loved them and wants to hire me to do a newborn shoot of her sister who is having the baby. She told me she'd pay me whatever the going rate is. I was thinking of the following: Sitting fee $150 (for however long it takes) plus prints:
16 x 20 $25 each
11 x 14 $20 each
8 x 10 $15 each
5 x 7 $10 each
4 x 6 $7 each
3.5 x 5 and smaller $5 each

If they want a DVD with all images maybe $150 for that and less for 50 or 25 images.

It is a start and any recommendations as to adjusting this would be helpful.

I would ask for money. Yea, money. That seems way better than beer. I mean... beer is cool and all, but all that beer can be heavy. Ask for the plastic bottles, that should save you some weight.

[candleman]

LOL Max.. agreed.. thats probably the best method of charging.


Mary, if thats what you're comfortable with and thats what she's willing to pay.. thats sweet.
personally,
i'd do a lower sitting fee.. and much higher print prices.
(just mention stuff about calibrated monitors and printer profiles and they will accept the price quickly)

glad you got it sorted out.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

I would ask for money. Yea, money. That seems way better than beer. I mean... beer is cool and all, but all that beer can be heavy. Ask for the plastic bottles, that should save you some weight.

Only beer? You're cheap. I have Jack Daniels and fine wines on my price list.

Seriously...Mary, here is something to help you out.

Check with other photographers in your area. See what they charge. Base your pricing on what you can deliver compared to them.

[WooD]

WoW! I must be super cheap. I only charge a $50 sitting fee for wanna be girl models, but my print prices are a bit higher than yours. I avoid baby pictures like the plague.