First Paying Job

[roastdawgg]

Okay so I just got an email from a lady I lived across the street from for years. She has 2 young children and would like some outdoor portraits and maybe some studio portaits done. My question to you is, how do I figure out how much to charge her? I don't want to rip her or me off. I was thinking $100-$150 for my time and then all prints at cost to her. I know this is a difficult question but how did you all figure out your first job's cost?

[That_Look_Photo]

I think your a little cheep. How long do you think it will take to do the whole shoot and edit the images ? I would start at $200 and go from there. Two kids outdoor and then studio also. How meny diferent prints does she want ?

Mike

[moscato_images]

I would charge a sitting fee for studio shots.
Then something small for going on location.
Charge for prints.


Maybe make up a small pricing list to hand to her and maybe a 'business card.' Then is she likes your shots she will tell her friends.

-joshua

[ChipBulgin]

I'd say you're in the right ballpark. A collegue of mine does very well photographing children. She's booked months in advance, sees 2 clients a week, and averages just under $1000 a client. It all starts with a sitting fee ($150) for 2 hours plus a travel fee based on distance from her. The sitting fee is paid in advance and is mainly used as a tool to make people keep their appointments. Her profit comes from print sales. 5x7's ($35), 8x10's ($50), 11x14's ($100), and so on.

Family-oriented photography most often works on this business model because normal people don't really understand how many hours you put into your job. They only see the two hours you spend in their presence. But they do understand per-print pricing and print packages. They've done it through the school and portrait places in the mall.

Your goal should be to give people something "better" than they get through the school or Sears. Let the quality of your images explain why you charge more than Sears does for an 8x10.

If you want to give your ex-neighbor a break, charge her a sitting fee, give her a normal price list, and tell her that because you two go way back, she can have prints for xxx% off. I'd recommend covering your lab costs, no matter what you do.

-Chip

[silver tip images]

You did not say if you are shooting Film or Digital. Film takes more time and effort. IF you do film or take it to a lab. I would be sure the sitting fee, what ever you want to call it will cover your costs...If you have a lab top and can show images as soon as you finish then give her your price list. and let her see the images. When she orders offer a discount if she pays in full at the time you place the order. Get a deposit for the images at least. If you enjoy kids there is good money in them. Good luck

[grsphoto]

Originally Posted by silver tip images

Film takes more time and effort.

I wish this were the case... Film takes less time and effort, with digital I have to do all the backend work myself, with film it is just shoot it and take it to the lab.

Glenn