Photo Shoot Cost

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Okay, so my cousin asked me to do family and individual portraits of her, her husband, and her daughter (she's 2-1/2 yrs old). Now, I don't like this cousin very much at all. She at least asked how much it's going to cost. What do you think I should charge her?
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Yeah I always seem to forget POTN cause I never log in there. Thanks Geoff!
 

Geoff

VIP Member
Whats wrong with my idea? You said you don't like her, find out the market value and undercut it reasonably... pretty basic stuff.
Except it's not that easy.

You have to take into account the skill level of the photographers you're comparing yourself too, how well known they are, what sort of discount you should give for family, how much time you will have invested, traveling distance, what the client is expecting in terms of number of photos, do they want prints or digital photos, are you trying to expand your portfolio to bring in new clients, and so much more.

You can't go to a photographers website and have a dollar value associated with exactly what his cousin wants. Most photographers don't even advertise their fees on their site.
 

Geoff

VIP Member
You're over complicating a photo of his Aunty. Just a tad.

Okay, so my cousin asked me to do family and individual portraits of her, her husband, and her daughter (she's 2-1/2 yrs old). Now, I don't like this cousin very much at all. She at least asked how much it's going to cost. What do you think I should charge her?
It's not a photo of his aunt. It's family photos, individuals of her, her husband, and her daughter. That's a time consuming portrait session, and my points above still apply.
 

Fatback

VIP Member
Geoff is right it's a lot harder than it sounds. Start out low build your portfolio and rep and gradually increase your price from there. Decide if you want to bill by hour or have a flat rate for said services. I do a flat rate for Family's and Couples but usually charge by the hour for events such as birthday parties, and wedding's. I give digital images, and usually throw in a free gift such as a few 4x6 prints or an 8x10. Little things like that go a long way and that along with good work of course will keep your customers coming back. You will find in that people are willing to pay more for quality work.

Though that's not always true. There will always be those people who want photos on the cheap so they go to some want-a-be photographer that is charging a fraction of what everybody else is. Then you see the photos and you just face palm. I've learned don't lower your prices and sale your self for nothing just to get business. If your work is good they will pay for it assuming they can afford it, and if they can't then you're not the right photographer for them.

Thats just my opinion I'm sure some will have a different one.
 

Geoff

VIP Member
Unfortunately when it comes to families, they think they can get stuff for free or very cheap.
 

Fatback

VIP Member
Yep and there are a ton of beginning photographers willing to do it for free. I don't know about NH but here in NC the market is over saturated with beginning photographers doing it for almost nothing. I still have my loyal customers but it makes it hard to get new ones since they usual pick the cheapest option instead of looking at the quality of work. I guess they get what they pay for though.
 

Geoff

VIP Member
Yep and there are a ton of beginning photographers willing to do it for free. I don't know about NH but here in NC the market is over saturated with beginning photographers doing it for almost nothing. I still have my loyal customers but it makes it hard to get new ones since they usual pick the cheapest option instead of looking at the quality of work. I guess they get what they pay for though.
Yeah same here, so many people are trying to become professional photographers with no skill, knowledge, or good equipment. They are willing to work for free or very cheap to get work, and then they ruin the market causing people to think that's what a professional photographer is.
 
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