What are YOUR rates? - Family & Event Photographers

[SayGee]

What are YOUR rates and what services do you provide to your client for that rate? If you offer packages, what are they and how much are they?

Please respond as you would to a potential client who is looking for you to take Fall photos of their family. Some of just the kids, some everyone, some individual. They're not interested in wardrobe changes, hair or makeup. They would like them taken at their home or someplace nearby to them. The clients aren't yet sure how many of each they will want and what sizes. The wife wants a large family photo to give to her parents as a gift, but the husband wants to decide later based on both cost and photo itself. They have a friend who is interested in how much it would cost to have you take photos at a family birthday party. They, the family for fall photos, might be interested in having you do the same for them too.

Assume that you are, in fact, available at the client's requested time.

What do YOU charge and for what services/packages?

[TPF Sponsor]

[camz]

Photography has to be the lowest cost capital business in the world. I'm seeing more of these threads everyday...

OP do a market study in your area - a more accurate data set. Members here are from all over.

[camz]

Ok to help you out. Call the local photographers in your area who you share the same market with and ask them like you asked above(Act like a customer). That's probably your best starting point for pricing.

[skieur]

You don"t have sufficient information to determine cost/price. As photographer I determine wardrobe, hair and make-up etc. based on what I see of the clients. Location is determined by the photographer based on what the clients wish to convey through the photos. It is a creative decision. If the clients are not sure how many of each they want or what sizes, then I would load the price toward the session rather than prints to ensure that you are not wasting your time for only a few prints. You need to know where the photos are "going" to determine the level of "formality" or "casualness" in wardrobe, posing and location.

Parties are even more difficult for some photographers in that you need to pick up some natural, candid shots during the course of the party which requires excellent timing and location, as well as perhaps some quick poses, if necessary. Location becomes important for the photographer and will need to be scouted beforehand.

You need to list, what equipment you will need, planning time in determining wardrobe and minor hair adjustments, locations, and a clearer ideas from your clients as to the quantity and type of photos they wish. Then calculate your time, mileage, shooting and editing expenses, build in some profit and make that your session fee so that you come out ahead, irrespective of prints ordered. Add time cost, materials, etc. and profit to your print costs to your client as well.

All of this is assuming that you can provide professional quality results to your clients.

skieur

[2WheelPhoto]

Photography has to be the lowest cost capital business in the world. I'm seeing more of these threads everyday...

OP do a market study in your area - a more accurate data set. Members here are from all over.

You know how it is, spend a grand at BestBuy and open a free facebook page and you're in bizness

[camz]

Photography has to be the lowest cost capital business in the world. I'm seeing more of these threads everyday...

OP do a market study in your area - a more accurate data set. Members here are from all over.

You know how it is, spend a grand at BestBuy and open a free facebook page and you're in bizness

Unfortunately that misconception is going to come around a bite these people in the ass.

[2WheelPhoto]

Indeed it is

[e.rose]

$3,000

30 minutes of shooting
1 8x10
2 5x7
1 sheet of wallets

[SayGee]

Ok to help you out. Call the local photographers in your area who you share the same market with and ask them like you asked above(Act like a customer). That's probably your best starting point for pricing.

Camz, while your suggestion of calling local photographers is not without it's merits, I intentionally said:

Please respond as you would to a potential client

If you don't want to answer, that's your prerogative. But then please don't post a reply. Like I said, your suggestion is not without it's merits - but as an isolated answer, you're devaluing my post. I may not have been in the income producing workforce in many years, but I am highly educated and have a significant amount of sales and business experience.


It's quite foolish for you or anyone else to dismiss my question in thinking your 'real answer', and other people's 'real answer' would be of no value unless our geography matched.

[camz]

Funny how I thought I was stirring you in the right direction here. Ok tell me this, how will you deal with varied amount of geographical pricing samples from around the world and derive them to remain competetive within your area? How is that value added to your pricing?

I went through the same questions you did about 11 years ago. If you're talking about pricing, in order for you to remain competetive as a photographer, your most accurate market study will be your local competition. This is a referral business and most is done through word of mouth in result it is the local market that will drive your retail revenue.

I wasn't devaluing you, I was trying to help. And comments of people starting photography business with a misconception is 100% true but was not directed to you.

[SayGee]

$3,000

30 minutes of shooting
1 8x10
2 5x7
1 sheet of wallets

Camz, see the reply from e.rose

She's from Allentown, PA - an area with a median income for a family of around $38,000

She made sure to use the comma when typing $3000 - so it was an intentional answer and not a typo. She's either omitting some critical information from her response, isn't really answering what she would charge a family for fall photos, or she's decided to just post an answer thinking anyone foolish enough to believe her deserves her answer.

[camz]

Hey who am I to question her pricing.

Believe me op what you seek here is actually around the corner from where you are.

[e.rose]

Hey who am I to question her pricing.

[SayGee]

Ok tell me this, how will you deal with varied amount of geographical pricing samples from around the world and derive them to remain competetive within your area? How is that value added to your pricing?.......

in order for you to remain competetive as a photographer, your most accurate market study will be your local competition.

$3,000

30 minutes of shooting
1 8x10
2 5x7
1 sheet of wallets

Camz, see the reply from e.rose

She's from Allentown, PA - an area with a median income for a family of around $38,000

She made sure to use the comma when typing $3000 - so it was an intentional answer and not a typo. She's either omitting some critical information from her response, isn't really answering what she would charge a family for fall photos, or she's decided to just post an answer thinking anyone foolish enough to believe her deserves her answer.

People choose a photographer because they like the photographer. A major factor in determining pricing is what people are willing (and able) to pay. If $65 for a woman's hairstyle and cut is on the upper mid-range to higher-end in your area, you're not being paid $3,000 for 30 minutes of shooting and giving an 8x10, 2 5x7 and 1 sheet of wallets

Camz, if given honest answers and enough answers, it's not too hard to use the sampling and apply it one's own geography.

[CCericola]

SayGee,

Not many reputable professionals are going to give you sample quotes on an open, google searchable, forum. And because this is an open forum members are from all around the world. The suggestion to call other photographers as a client is a much more effective use of your time and energy. Work smarter not harder.