Reading mode: Light Dark

portrait pricing...what to charge

Go to last post
J

Joe Wilson

Senior Member
Messages
3,011
Reaction score
0
Location
St Louis, MO, US
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
 
When I saw your gallery and your domain name, I pretty much assumed you were doing pro-work already!

I'm also interested in hearing the answer to this question..
  • Chui
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
--
Daniel Chui's Portfolio:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/member-photos?include=all&user_id=876030
 
After looking at your gallery i only have one thing to say:
Don't undersell yourself.

Those are great portraits imho....

I really like Finn's...
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
--
Eric Cathell
TechnoGeek and Aspiring Photog
 
I agree with Eric in saying. And that your portraits are of a high degree of quality for an relitive amature, and honestly are quite a bit better then most "Pro's" work that I regulary see. This being said, I would hunt around. I definately wouldn't be doing PFT (Prints for time) work - you deserve to pe paid according to your efforts.

Congrats on becoming a Professional :)

Jon
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
 
I agree your work is beautiful. You should absolutely be charging...

To decide on what to charge... I would look for websites of other local photographers and see what the currents rates in your area are.

Then I would call a few labs and get pricing for prints. Be sure to check on turn around times and how you can submit your files.( I'm assuming you're shooting digital.) It's great if you can just FTP them files.

With that info you can figure out how much other photographers are charging for time and creating and what they are marking up for printing expenses.

Then just work from there... and decide what's comfortable to you.

Best of luck! Again your work is lovely!
nicros said:
Congrats on becoming a Professional :)

Jon
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hey Joe. I'm in much the same situation. I've been following your work as we both started around the same time.

Check out my site. It might give you some ideas as to pricing and where to start. http://events.creativosity.net/
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
 
definitely a help, thanks!

where do you shoot your portraits? do you do them at your house?
rdbruski said:
Check out my site. It might give you some ideas as to pricing and
where to start. http://events.creativosity.net/
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
http://www.joesimages.com
 
First, figure out if your going to charge a sitting fee. An amout just to book you for a job.

Then you can price some packages like 2 8x10, 2 5x7 and 8 wallet for an amount. Do different packages with fixed prices. Limit the amount of time like each session is an hour and a half.

If the customer wants more time, giva an hourly rate.

Then, have the customer pick his/her favorites but down to maybe 3-4 different poses (so they don't ask to print the 8 wallets from different poses).

If the customers wants more poses, charge by print size like lets say 25$ for a 5x7.

This is only a quick summary. play with these idea and adapt them to you. Lots of other things you can charge for ie: moving the light, on location session etc. Also, make sure you taylor your prices to your local market, you may be able to sell a 16x20 for 350$ in new york, but in a smaller market, maybe it wont be possible.

I hope this has helped you. I'm building my studio right now (physically building the sets) and I just spent a considerable amount of time figuring out pricing strategies.

You have some great shots in your portfolio, I wish you the best of luck

--
Joel
http://www.pbase.com/joels

'A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.'
 
Joe, fantastic shoots, you have a great eye to form your frame and capture realism.

Your talent and skills are definitely worth a great deal of money.
  1. 1 Declare a sitting fee. This will pay for your time.. I charge 40.00$ for a sitting in this I guarantee my customers at least 30 - 40 shots.
If I have to travel farther than 35 miles. My sitting fee increases to 60.00$

From the other replies they have given you good information. Price around for enlargement prices. Pakcages etc.... You may also want to look at provideing frames for your customers to make a little extra. This will also add service and value to your customers.

To give you an idea I charge 100.00 for a 16X20
11X14 is 60.00

so on and so on.... it will depend the market value in your area. I realize that in my area I am relatively inexpensive...but I keep customers at my doors and smiles on their faces.

I also work fulltime and do photography on the side.

One important resource you want is a lab that you can trust to color correct correctly and gives you great service.

Good luck and happy shooting.
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
 
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
Hi...my 2 cents... if you plan on building a business from this....even a small one....If your images look good....then you should feel good....be careful that you do not fall into the trap and undersell yourself....If you want to really enjoy...you must be profitable (again if it might turn into a business) Just don't sell yourself "cheap" or you will be "marked"...get good prices and you will probably find out that you like this even more.....good luck, allen
 
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
After reading some of the threads about how nice your work is.....keep your prices up there...be associated with a reputation for fine work....low pricing will mark you....and make it tougher to raise prices.....be associated with higher prices and continue to deliver the higher quality that you are known for....good luck, allen
 
Hey rdbruski,

What kind of set up do you have? Which photographic lab do you use for your portraits? I am looking for a good one. Your pictures are fantastic. I want to create a similar look. I read on your web site that you have some Alien Bees400 with a soft box. What do you use for outdoors? Thanks.

Raul Salazar
rdbruski said:
Check out my site. It might give you some ideas as to pricing and
where to start. http://events.creativosity.net/
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Joe Wilson said:
where do you shoot your portraits? do you do them at your house?
rdbruski said:
Check out my site. It might give you some ideas as to pricing and
where to start. http://events.creativosity.net/
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
 
I use MPIX. Best there is.

For outside, I use fill flash and a 5-in-1 reflector. Nothing else.

Tnx.
RaulSalazar said:
Raul Salazar
rdbruski said:
Check out my site. It might give you some ideas as to pricing and
where to start. http://events.creativosity.net/
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Other than that, the customer service from MPIX has been fantastic and I hope to place an order with them soon.
  • Chui
rdbruski said:
For outside, I use fill flash and a 5-in-1 reflector. Nothing else.

Tnx.
RaulSalazar said:
Raul Salazar
rdbruski said:
Check out my site. It might give you some ideas as to pricing and
where to start. http://events.creativosity.net/
Joe Wilson said:
okay, i know this probably isn't the best place to post this but
since I spend most of my time here in this forum and I'm sure many
of us are in the same boat or have been in the same boat I wanted
to ask here first.

Over the last 6 months I've been doing a lot of portraits (mostly
children) for friends, family, and their friends, etc. I haven't
charged...I've been using it as a learning experience.

Well, word of mouth has finally caught up with me and friends of
friends and friends of family are starting to ask regularly for me
to shoot their kids and they are willing to pay.

Up to this time, I haven't really done it because:

1. I didn't have a lot of experience
2. I have a well paying day job and definitely look at this as
more of a hobby
3. Not enough equipment to

While #2 still holds true and I still do need a LOT more
experience, the requests I'm getting outnumber the hours I have if
I don't get some sort of payment. :)

So with all of that said...I just want to recoup a little for my
time/effort for the next year...not start a fulltime business...

so what would be your recommendations or what have you done in
similar situations?

--
http://www.joesimages.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel Chui's Portfolio:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/member-photos?include=all&user_id=876030
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top