Photography Pricing

I am a beginner/intermediate level photographer. I have been doing some odd freelance work over the last couple

years. I have worked with professionals, but have been doing some of my own work lately and I am a bit lost on

exactly what I should be charging people. When you are beginning in the business people tend to flock to you

because they are always looking for a 'bargain', but I always get stuck short changing myself and if I am ever

going to make money in this business I need to start making a profit. Can anyone give me some ideas on pricing

structure, what I should be charging for my time to shoot a wedding, what my portrait pricing should look like

etc. Would love to get some feedback with anyone with experience.

Find out what other photographers in your area are charging. Determine where your skills stand compared to theirs and price accordingly. Or you could be a good capitalist and raise your prices as high as you can until people start turning you down, then drop the price a little after you've found your ceiling. Best, JR

Start by doubling the price you are thinking of quoting. Yes some people look for cheap butt you'd be surprised at how many people shy away from prices that are too low.

Just a while back I took some shots of a friend and his family. I sent them some web sized images and told them that for 4x6 prints I would do them for 2 euros, but for 8x10 they would be 50 euros.

 

My "friend" was horrified and said that he knew a place where they could print 4x6s for a few cents, and for 8x10s a little bit more.

 

I said "Oh yes, but that's only if YOU have the images".

 

We agreed on something a little less than 50 euros per print.

 

Never under sell yourself!

I also wonder if Ellis does it on purpose sometimes.

Here is the Basic formula I use.

 

Time Shooting (hr or Day rate) + Expenses (milage, rentals, hotels and ect...) + Post Time (photo editing) + Usage = Fee

 

It is simple but flexible formula for fees. I am using Fotoquotes for usage.

Pricing is always very interesting. I guess one needs to be flexible where appropriate. What do other professionals in other fields charge? I guess that is worth looking into. How does a tradesman charge? That's kind of what we are, tradespeople, although some tradespeople get paid much more than most photographers.

 

So anyway, a friend and I were discussing this and we still haven't reached a conclusion, but I think we agreed that 8x10 prints would be AU$25 (or a bit more) for pretty much most clients, and hourly rate would have to be determined by opinions from industry associations and what everyone else is doing. If I were pressed right now with a gun to my head to give a number I'd have to say AU$50/hr.

 

Remember not to charge pro rata for the first hour - if you do 5mins worth of shooting it's still worth your hourly fee. After that, charge pro rata, be generous where you can (small gestures are always appreciated if you can afford them).

 

Question for Andy - didn't your friend know your fees before he asked you for your services? I find it odd that someone would not even ask for a roundabout figure before committing!

Karim, he was under no obligations. I sent him a number of images - all free - and made it clear that IF he

wanted any printed then those were my prices. Obviously he didn't understand thinking that as I am a friend,

prints should be at cost.

 

Normally I charge 25 euros for a web image to be used only once for say presentation purposes.

 

The problem with photography today is that everyone thinks that they can produce quality images simply because

they have a digital camera.

Agree with all of the above, especially Ralph's practical formula which is just good business sense. You state "I need to start making a profit". Following Ralph's calculations it is a simple matter to calculate what you will *need* to charge in order to make a living. Don't forget to ammortize your total equipment investment over 3 years to make sure you get that back!

 

I would only consider introductory pricing in order to enter the market and establish a reputation. This is a reputation based business. If you are unable to come to agreement on your *necessary* pricing, then you are either not producing quality images or more likely not marketing effectively.

 

Without calculating hours, I think I spend 5% shooting, 45% editing and in production and 50% marketing.

 

Posting your pictures to a site that is dedicated to constructive critique may help give you feedback on your pictures if you don't get sufficient feedback.

I think my 2nd response may need to be a new thread, but it might help us get to the root of the "what should I charge question." I wonder if it is helpful to talk not so much in terms of fees but public value. Is a photographer's profession more or less value-added than a dentist's? A plumber's? An accountant's? A lawyer's? A grocery store clerk? How about a florist? Where do we think we sit on the average wage ladder if we compare the value-add instead of the fees?

When starting up my business, I did the simple scoping system.

 

Google, call or look around locally (as thats where most of your work will be)

 

Find out there prices, and what your competition is.

 

then undercut where needed.

 

Remember, you can always put your price's up once established or with a little more a little with experience, and

you can always get away with "opening offers" or possibly even use "advancements in stock & equipment, etc...

 

If you set your prices, too high, then 1 it may slow down your startingup, and should you then drop your prices,

you run the risk of people returning saying "I paid this that much, and you did my friend there for this much and

there shots are far better....)

 

However as mentioned above, dont undersell yourself,

low enough that you can provide a better value than any local competitors, but high enough that if required you

can still earn a living