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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Pricing??

szerangue
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Nov 7, 2006, 9:41 PM

Post #1 of 8 (770 views)
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Pricing??	Can't Post

It seems like portrait photography may start picking up for me. I want to be fair to myself and my clients. Since I am just getting started, I am trying to come up with a price structure that will work. I would like to charge a sitting fee. I know a local photographer who I have been working with that gets $100 for a sitting fee. Seems high since another that I used to know only charged $25. Maybe I should have an hourly rate and they can book me for an amount of time? Prints... I have two sources, MPIX and Studio Pro Group. I like the SPG since they are local, but I am not sure about the markup. Any help on marking up prints from a lab? Do you offer the full res on CD? If so, how much do you charge for that?
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Scott Brooks
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Nov 7, 2006, 10:18 PM

Post #2 of 8 (767 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Pricing?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

For senior photos (or portraits) I charge $200. I'll shoot on location anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes with as many clothing changes as they like.

Out of the $200 they receive a $150 print credit. Portrait clients do not receive a CD with files.

My print prices are too low and will soon be adjusted.
Currently:
4x6 - $6.00
5x7 - $12.00
8x10 - $18.00

By setting a price and giving a print credit I'm at least assured of getting a minimum order. That is one thing I doubt that I will change about my business.

szerangue
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Nov 7, 2006, 10:43 PM

Post #3 of 8 (764 views)
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Re: [Sparky] Pricing?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Sparky, I like that idea and I think it will work for me. Now I just need to go online and figure out prices for each size print, which should not be too tough. Hope to hear from others.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Scott Brooks
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Nov 7, 2006, 10:50 PM

Post #4 of 8 (761 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Pricing?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just to add to that ... I would consider selling the high rez files files for $200 ... after the print credit had been used up or for $350 if there was no print order and they wanted to use the credit towards the CD. Either way I get the money.

These are just numbers and obviously haven't thought them through ... but as some have said before ... never say no ... just tell them how much it's going to cost.

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Nov 8, 2006, 12:51 AM

Post #5 of 8 (750 views)
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Re: [Sparky] Pricing?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

check out ourppa.com and you will both get a dozen tips on how to get a proper price for your portraits.

Shadow
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Nov 8, 2006, 10:45 AM

Post #6 of 8 (732 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Pricing?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi There

I have started to do some family portraits as well. Have had 4 bookings so far.
For pricing I looked at what others in the area were charging and stuck myself where I thought my expertise fit in between the higher priced and lower priced people, I'm in the middle.
Here people charge between $50 and $200 for the sitting fee. Sometimes it includes a small number of prints.
I've gone with a sitting fee which includes one enlargement and from there they can buy additional prints.
The average prices for professional prints here are 4x6 = $5, 5x7 $8, and it goes up from there.

See what others in the area are charging and ask around to see what people are looking for in a package.
You'll always get people who want you to do it for $12 like Walmart but we all know they charge that to get you in the store to buy other things.

As for the high res files, I would charge $200 for the disk. RIght now I'm giving people the disk but mainly because they have been clients who have been good to me, or I know very well. Once I get into advertising for doing this service and having regular clients the disks will be extra.

Hope this helps - happy shooting!
Heidi

Scott Brooks
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Nov 8, 2006, 3:56 PM

Post #7 of 8 (715 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Pricing?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

One other thing ... I would start charging additional for extra people. In other words ... I might do a family of four portratit @ $200 with a print credit. But if they're bringing grandma and grandpa and grandkids ... then the fee is going to go up. Working with 8 people is NOT the same as working with 4.

DarrenS
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Nov 11, 2006, 7:54 AM

Post #8 of 8 (671 views)
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Re: [Sparky] Pricing?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

You got that right Sparky (hey that's the first time I've ever said that in a non-derogatory way). Smile

I shot a group of 29 on location three weeks ago, 10 of them little kids, and it was a BLOODY NIGHTMARE. I hate screaming, whining kids more than computers. lol