pricing for head shot

[bekah bell]

I've been asked by an author friend to do a new head shot for him. I have no idea what to charge. I'm thinking of offering a "mini-session" 1/2 hour, 3-5 edited shots for $50. Does that sound low??

[Gary]

As a professional sniper, I usually charge several thousand per assignment. The price of ammunition is going up, you know.

[bekah bell]

:)

[Jie Zhou]

if he is a friend, why charge?

[bekah bell]

it's work. it's my time shooting & editing.

[Stacy ♥ DOF]

That's what I have charged as a friend rate for someone who will be using the pic for promotion online.

[bekah bell]

@sdpace thank you Stacy :)

[Brendan Maunder]

I guess how much do you want? I would charge around $200 for a male and around $300 for a female. Now giving mates rates, I would tell them that its mates rates and either do it for nothing with the understanding that you can use the photo for your own promotion or 1/2 the cost of the photos.

While it might be only 1/2 of shooting, there is 1/2 setup and pack up either side, then around 30 minutes on each photo so 4 photos that is 2 hours. In total its 4.5 hours. If you divide that by $50 that is $11 per hour. Is $11 an hour worth your time and if so would this lead to other work so you can handle the $11 per hour rate?

At the end of the day I dont care what you do. I am just trying to get you to think of this as a business, and as soon as you start charging for your photos that is exactly what it is.

[bekah bell]

Thank you @agima I just read a good article on this as well, looking at it as a buisness. I do think that the lower cost is worth it to me in this particular instance. I really do not want to be a portrait photographer, I don't feel that is where my gifting is. But I do like to try from time to time for friends. I've done a few full sessions and charged so its worth my work, just never done simple head shots. I also want to be respectful of the other photographers out there and price comprably.