I want to start charging to take peoples pictures..how much should I charge?

Question

I love to take photos, iv taken classes (photography), work in a photo lab. I have also had one of my pictures published in a text book. Well I want to start taking pictures on a more serious level. I was wondering what people thought I should charge.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyperblondie_84/

here is a site w/ some of my stuff :)

I have been taken pictures for a while. iv taken graduation pictures, engement pictures, etc. But I think its time that I take the next step and start thinking about making a career out of it.. yes slowly but it would be a start.

Answer 1

Hard to tell without seeing your work.

Also, area determines how much is reasonable.

Edit - OK, I looked at your shots and, yes, you have a way to go with your lighting, but didn't we all when we first got the guts to charge? In today's market I find that you can not depend on reprints to make a living, too many people scan and steal. Find out the going rate for a sitting is and lower it a bit because you are new. Make a profit on your prints, but don't depend on it. Make sure the sitting fee is what you would like to make per hour, including your computer and commuter time.

Answer 2

I had a look at several pages of your work. I did notice several very nice landscapes. But based on the first model shots, I'd say you have a way to go before charging people. The model looks uncomfortable in front of the camera. You need to work on posing, lighting, and controlling DOF. Also post processing. There are books and workshops dealing with portraiture, it will help to study the subject in depth.

When building a portfolio for future clients to see, be brutal in editing. Only show what you feel is the best you have produced. I realize an on-line gallery isn't the same as a portfolio, but the perception of how good you are as a photographer is shaped by the worst image you present.

Answer 3

Dear Karen,

I looked at your photos. The first page showed portraits of a young lady. If I may, I would like to suggest that you either use a fill in flash to lighten the shadow--or better, take these photos in the shade, or on a cloudy day.

The other photos on page 3 & 4 -- they are hypersaturated. You over did it with your program. My monitor is calibrated and they look like they are oozing with inks.

Your model on page 1 looked quite uncomfortable. I think it will serve you best if you redo these photos, or use another person, as you will surely want to show your best work for possible clients.

I hope I have not been too rude, or harsh, about this.

Answer 4

I just looked at your first page, but I think that you're doing fairly well, but fill flash will really help you bring your portraits up to the next level.

As for how much to charge, the price model I like is to start very low and shoot many portrait sessions. Do some research and figure out what the average price range is for your area, for nice lifestyle portraits. Once you've done a year of as many portraits as you can possibly shoot, then start bumping your price up by some increment you're comfortable with every time you book a new client. Your price will rise quickly this way, but you'll have a very large portfolio and tons of satisfied customers out there spreading the word to tall their friends about how much they loved you, so you won't have a hard time justifying your price raises at all!

Where to start and what target price range to go for really depends on what pricing is like in your area. It varies widely around the country.

Join a good community of professional photographers for plenty of support and ideas. I like opensourcephoto.net (click on Forums - it's free). Ask plenty of questions there - they will help you out!

Answer 5

Hi Karen,

Anybody can take pics of their relatives so you have to offer more than that. Maybe large canvas framed prints. Children and pets are favorites.

Initially people won't know what to expect, so get together a portfolio to show your (potential) customers. These images will have to be as good as you can do, with some large prints in there as well. Never forget that your customers are your best advertising (most studio work comes from word of mouth). Target your customers with your portfolio, just show them your best portrait shots, don't include landscapes or night pics, they aren't hiring you for those kind of pics.

It may be possible to start small with relatives and friends (that word of mouth thing again), but don't sell yourself cheap. (except to your Mum)

Research a good local print house that can do your (large) images justice. Then haggle the price down. Then get them to do a 'test' print. (for your portfolio). Keep stressing the repeat business they are going to get from you. The photo lab you work for is favourite here, of course.

If you want to take portraits seriously, then you will, sooner or later, need a studio (where YOU are in control), but to rent and equip a studio is serious money, you can rent an equipped studio, again serious money and you would need to reflect that in your price. You may need to do 'house calls' to start with (not recommended as you are not in total control), but even semi-pro flash gear ain't cheap.

I'd advise getting to grips with Photoshop and to shoot digitally. (I wouldn't have said that even 5 years ago!!)

You have some good pics on your flickr site, but the jump from enthusiastic amateur to professional is huge (and frightening)

What to charge, work out ALL your costs and, at least, double it.

Its a new year coming up Karen - go for it. Good luck.

Chris

Answer 6

The market determines the price. Here are some helpful hints:

1. Call around and check what other photographers are charging for similar service.

2. Make a determination as to your ability and availability for meeting customers' needs.

3. Add up all your potential business expenses plus what you are currently making and then add some $$ for risk factor (known as ROI) for at least a year. This should help establish your minimum gross. Divide this by what you would anticipate realistically as your work-load and you should have a handle on your potential.

Answer 7

There is a simple answer to this one although all photographers and all markets are different... it has to be whatever you feel comfortable charging.

First I'd check out your competition, what do they do, how good is it against your work, what kind of service do they offer, and how does your service compare?

Once you know that you can decide where you sit in the local market, whether you are better than some, not as good as others... you'll have a benchmark for quality and prices and services. Then set your own pricing.

If you want to charge more then work out how can you add value to your 'package' or service... More photos, bigger photos, wider choice, flexibility of styles, faster turnaround?

Once you feel comfortable with your pricing you will be able to deal with customer queries on prices without feeling fazed or pressurised... then you're ready to start.

Answer 8

Depends on the quality.

Answer 9

Call another photographer and ask what he/she would charge for taking your picture. Another idea is to take photos for free at events and put them on a website for people to review and, if they want to, buy. My experience is a small 5 by 7 is $15-$20.