How much should I charge for a photography session?

Question

I have been in business for the last 2 years and I've had a few people say I should go up on my prices. Would you please take the time to look at my site, especially at the recent shoots (not just one) and read about what all I do (pretty much find out as much info as possible) and decide if I should go up or stay right where I am at with my pricing. Oh yeah, and does my website suck? I designed it myself. Honesty is appreciated! THANK YOU! www.photographybyjoyelle.com

Answer 1

Your photography is of better quality than the website, and as such the site is doing you a disservice.

As to pricing, think about the amount of time you invest in the shoot, processing, maintaining your equipment, advertising, insurance, etc... and then consider whether your pricing is giving you an adequate return on your investment. I think you should consider what other people are charging for similar packages, and bring yourself into line with them. Pricing yourself two low will tell potential customers that you don't value the quality of your own work: so why should they value it?

Pricing is always a difficult balancing act.

Answer 2

You have a very good website. It was easy to navigate around it. There are a couple of things to consider:
1. What are other photographers in your area charging? If you charge a lot more or a lot less, you'll either not be taken seriously or you'll lose a lot of clients.
2. Keep the rights to your pictures. You're losing ALOT of revenue by not keeping the rights. As a customer I like the idea of getting the rights but customers won't have as easy of a time printing the quality of pictures you can. Quality pictures are the best referrals and people won't ask about a picture if printed out on a crappy printer or photo lab.
3. People will pay more if they think something is a luxury item (i.e. a better photographer than Joe down the street can use). And are more likely to buy photographs if they see large sizes that are well presented.
4. Don't list your prices on your website or advertising because you might be able to talk a customer into choosing you whereas a flyer or computer can't convince them if they think it is too high.
It all comes down to a personal choice, do you want lots of lower paying customers or fewer higher paying ones that will place large orders.

Answer 3

Your photos are amazing! I love the one of the baby on the stack of towels. Yes you should go up in price. I have found that being in the photography business, customers don't pay much attention to your portfolio. Are they good? Good enough. First thing they look for is the price. So if you're charging 500 and they guy down the street is charging 900, they tend to think that he's that much better than you. It's all a psychological thing. Nantucket is prime example of this, you can't get people to pay $3 for a bottle of water, but stick it in a blue glass bottle and people have no problem paying $12 for that same water (true story from last summer).

Your website is good, but it isn't outstanding. Have you tried Smugmug? I do all my business through them because they handle all the payments and the printing and shipping. They have amazing customer service and a great, customizable layout. Check out www.moonriverphotography.com for a good example. If you want to sign up, here is a $5 coupon. You get a 30 free trial as well - h7uIg9wPQCfKw

Answer 4

Your website should definitely be updated. I seriously would consider having a graphic designer/web designer help you out with this one. A clean updated design could even help your business improve. You could also do well with a brand/identity logo.

You take BEAUTIFUL photos, and I think your site could benefit from an update....it Doesn't suck though! :) Its well organized. Just doesn't look very professional.

I don't know what your pricing is so unless you can share that with me (feel free to email me privately if you don't want to post that).

Generally pricing should be based on WHAT YOU FEEL YOU DESERVE in your industry. Compare it to your competitors. YOu should be doing competitive research,. But if everyone you know is telling you to raise your prices, it can't hurt! lol I'm a graphic designer, and I'm in the same boat w/ my family and friends...they keep telling me I need to raise my prices...so I guess it could be a good indication! :)

Good luck, I think you have a wonderful eye!

Answer 5

My cousin just recently started getting paid for hers too. She actually charges $75/hr for studio and $100/hr for location as long as it is within 30min or so of her. If it is further then it is an average of $50 for every 30 min past the first. She is making decent $ for just starting and her clients do not complain about the cost. She allows all the changing clothes and all they want. Its just that when the hr is up than thats it. She does not print at all unless they request. She edits and everything and then does some special effects to some. She puts all the good pictures onto a cd. Even though she is not charging that much, she is doing really good bc she is charging less than half of everyone else around.

Answer 6

You should invest in a professional website if you plan on a fee hike. What are others charging in your area for the same quality? You want to be in the same ballpark as the competition, not low enough to undrcut the others and be "cheap", and not overpriced for your market and skill level.

Most of your images are nice and acceptable, but there are a few I would remove from my website...specifically on the baby page, the forth row down, 3rd pic across is a loser, even of the parents loved it, dump it. Someone mentioned the baby on towel shot. Cute, but baby's foot is cropped, and her body is angled so you can see a little too much anatomy. Also, she looks in danger of toppling. (I realize she's NOT in danger, but the towels are leaning.) Little things like that will keep your work from being perceived as top notch, although the bulk of it is quite nice. Be brutal on your website, and eliminate any image that doesn't show off your talent to its fullest. Get rid of awkward crops, blown highlights, odd expressions, etc etc and only present your best. It's called editing, and doing a good job in editing will one: Improve people's perception of your product, and two: Actually improve your product through the process of self-inspection.

Then continue to edit as you post for orders. You don't have to be quite as selective there, someone may like a photo that you think is weaker. When presenting, I get rid of the blinks, and the odd exposure or timing problem, and let them choose from there. If you shoot 50 frames, you should have at least 40 of them that are presentable to the client, and for a kid or maternity shoot, that is plenty.

It's time to take it to the next level! Best wishes in the future, it looks promising.

Answer 7

Yes, you should update your site. The blue and yellow isn't working. It was OK ten years ago but for a photographer it should be a lot more stylish.
If you are doing photography full time then i believe you should think about about raising your prices. I live in Ireland and i currently charge €500($700) for photos taken in my studio. But it's up to you. If you are happy charging that much then it's OK. Remember if you increase your prices your business might suffer.

Answer 8

Wonderful photos! I could refer you to someone if you are ready to invest in a professional website. Just send me a message and I'll get you in touch with one of my web-design friends. But regardless, you do great work! Best of luck with your business.