I did my first photo shoot a few months back, for free. Now I have some people who loved the pics from that shoot and want senior pics done. So, for those of you who do portrait and senior shoots. can you give me a breakdown of what you charge for the sitting and what site do you use for the client to view the proofs and how much do you charge for the diff size of pics? I am not sure I really want to go in this direction as a business, but wouldlike to have someting in place for the instances that someone comes to me and wants me to do a shoot for them, so I am not wanting to spend a fortune on setting up a site or anything like that.
Any info you can share would be gratly appreciated ;)
On Ugly Hedghog this question was asked a few weeks ago and great advice was given. I would encourage you to sign up on UHH (free) and do a search. CpatainC seems to be very knowledgable in this area.
Research is the way to go on pricing, especially what is specific to your area. There are a number of presentations for this type of conversation on youtube and other places online.
We were caught in the same situation, but we decided to go with portfolio building pricing to start out for our first 5 shoots, then up our rate to be competitive in the this market.
We have decided to go with Bay Photo for our prints, they have a tool that you can use to put packages together along with pricing that makes sense to you. SmugMug has a good free version that you can use as well as a cheap option for presentation to clients.
For proofs, we actually went with Costco to print 4x6 ($0.13 per print) proofs for a sit-down int person review of the work. I wouldn't use them for anything more than that, but it's a cheap option and they fairly good for proofing. We wrap this cost into our rate since it is so low, then we hand over the proofs with the order.
The rate range for portraiture is quite broad, so it is difficult to give a recommendation. Make sure to take everything into account as to what it takes to provide this type of service for people (scouting, travel, space, post processing, print handling, equipment, time on shoot, number of poses) and apply a rate package that is fair to you. Also, don't forget to contract!!!
Fair question and not stupid. You will want to ensure that you have some level of a contract with your client identifying pricing, what is included in the price, what is extra, usage rights to the photos (theirs and yours), just something to make sure your bases are covered. It is more about making sure that all expectations are clear and that everyone agrees to them.
You will also need to decide when and how you want payment. Do you want some of the payment up front so they have some skin in the game, with the rest on delivery? Another reason for a contract to be signed.
@trbo Ok, I gotcha ;) thanks again for all the great info! Now I am a little bit hesitant to jump in with both feet at this time. I told the people I was no professional by any means. And of course they say that is ok, but I know how it can come back to haunt you if they are not happy with the results and that is worrisome to me. I will need to ponder on this a little more, but thanks again for your input and time ;)
Please do it, it actually turns out to be fun and a nice little side job. I was hesitant at first as well, but once I got all the research done it is working well. Your first few are learning opportunities in process anyway, so the business side doesn't have to be perfect right off the bat.
Don't let me scare you off, cause I totally want to encourage you to do it. Plus, what a special moment to capture the time when the teenager is transitioning to an independent adult, going from the familiar world of high school to the unknown world they have yet to experience.
We are having a lot of fun with it and working with the young adults, the business side is annoying more than anything else.
@trbo Thanks for the encouragement... I will have to get my insecurities in check and just go for it. I worry a lot about my work not being good enough and it would make me sich if i messed up someones portraits. I suppose I would not charge them in that case ;)
@shirljess Hi Shirley, I too am not a professional, however I have started taking some pictures for people. Until I start my study next year I am keeping everything very basic. My clients recieve their images on a disc knowing they have to print for themselves, they sign a release form so I can show their images and pay on the day. I have kept costs very low, this means I am building a client base, while I learn. My clients have been very happy with this so far and are more then happy to step up and help me improve my skills.
I agree with everything @tracywilliams said. I started doing pictures for people as a "photography equipment cash" LOL and I love it! One thing that I really do emphasize is that they do not print at a non-photography specific store such as Walgreens or Walmart. I give them info for a local photography store and their quality is amazing and their prices are not any higher than the chains. I learned the hard way but seeing one of my photos on my niece's fridge as a thank you card for her girlfriend's babies 1st birthday party and the quality was horrible! The coloring was so dark that the baby almost looked African American and she is a little blonde hair, blue eyed beauty!
Keep it simple but cover your bases just as @trbo said :) and enjoy!
The only advice I can give you...DON"T use cheep printing outlets. If you can find a professional lab...do so as the result will be more like what you see on your screen...skin tones are very important with portrait work...they have to be spot on or it looks horrible. I do portrait for a living...and there is soooo much to tell you that I can't type it all here. Good luck. You can have a look at my portrait work here. http://365project.org/veg66/365
@shirljess Thanks Shirley, I don't consider myself a professional because I have had no proper training, and if I am honest with myself I know my flaws. I struggle to maintain consistency of a high standard, I sometimes over process, I still hold many of the typical beginners traits. I have compared my work with the true pros in my area and I don't hit their mark, so I figure it's wrong to charge so much but I know enough to make a start :D
@tracywilliams You only have to be paid once in cash to call yourself a pro. :). I'm self taught, and it's all been trial and error over the last 20 years....from the darkroom to the P.C. I'm finding the software the hardiest thing to get my head around. :(
Hi I'm far from a professional but from what I've been learning is make sure you write up a release form esp if they are under 18 and have the parents sign them along with a copy right form and have them sign it that way you can use the photos for portfolio building. Also the website my friend uses to display her photos is www.zenfolio.com and there is a 14 day trial that you can utilize. I'm just getting started myself I hope I've been of help. Good luck :) oh and instead of doing prints you could also just recommend a good print shop and just include a disk with the release forms uploaded on to it so if for some reason they tried to say anything you back is covered. Just another option my friend has told me about :) I hope this helps?
Good luck Shirley...I'm sure you'll do great! A lot of photographers (fantastic ones at that!!) I've come across would agree that if you are charging a cost for your services then you ARE a professional as you are making some if not all of your income from this form of work. Yes, its fun, you love it and get a great deal of satisfaction from it but its still work. Don't short sell yourself, if someone is willing to pay for your images, then try to research your costs, mark up etc....sounds complicated but you can draw up a really simple break down / business plan and work around that ....one i've just found online for example may give you some idea http://www.bplans.com/photography_studio_business_plan/executive_summary_fc.php#.UFlUp7KPUfg I hope that helps. I'm planning to go pro myself so I am in the process of research....another great website i've found is http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/about.html Keiths blog has been invaluable to me :)
@sarajeal Hey, Sara! Thx so much for takig the time to respond to my needs. I really appreciate all the info and links you sent my way. I will for sure check into them. Thx again and have a wonderful day!
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We were caught in the same situation, but we decided to go with portfolio building pricing to start out for our first 5 shoots, then up our rate to be competitive in the this market.
We have decided to go with Bay Photo for our prints, they have a tool that you can use to put packages together along with pricing that makes sense to you. SmugMug has a good free version that you can use as well as a cheap option for presentation to clients.
For proofs, we actually went with Costco to print 4x6 ($0.13 per print) proofs for a sit-down int person review of the work. I wouldn't use them for anything more than that, but it's a cheap option and they fairly good for proofing. We wrap this cost into our rate since it is so low, then we hand over the proofs with the order.
The rate range for portraiture is quite broad, so it is difficult to give a recommendation. Make sure to take everything into account as to what it takes to provide this type of service for people (scouting, travel, space, post processing, print handling, equipment, time on shoot, number of poses) and apply a rate package that is fair to you. Also, don't forget to contract!!!
Good luck!
You will also need to decide when and how you want payment. Do you want some of the payment up front so they have some skin in the game, with the rest on delivery? Another reason for a contract to be signed.
http://www.danheller.com/biz-sales.html#work-for-hire
Don't let me scare you off, cause I totally want to encourage you to do it. Plus, what a special moment to capture the time when the teenager is transitioning to an independent adult, going from the familiar world of high school to the unknown world they have yet to experience.
We are having a lot of fun with it and working with the young adults, the business side is annoying more than anything else.
Keep it simple but cover your bases just as @trbo said :) and enjoy!