Photography Pricing
Photographer for hire: Why a professional photographer does it better than your boyfriend.
By BrianX | January 4th, 2005After speaking to a number of semi-pro and professional photographers, it seems that there is growing frustration among them when it comes to photography prices and services. As the number of digital photographers continues to increase, it seems there are a lot of misunderstandings as to what a photographer can do for you.
Hiring a Photographer
Individuals and companies of all types regularly call the photographers listed in the BrianX Professional Photographer Network to inquire about prices and services. Ultimately for many, the choice of whether or not to hire a photographer comes to down price. If they do choose to hire one, they must evaluate the great photos in their online portfolios and decide who they can afford. Since this is the type of thing that is rarely stated, I feel it is time to set the record straight.
Amazed at the Price!
A popular reason for many calls and emails received by photographers is to inquire about basic headshots, event photographers, model portfolio photo shoots and their respective prices. The truth is that the range of photography prices is highly variable and depends on many factors such as location (in studio versus traveling to a location) and length of time needed for a particular session.
Pricing can be as low as $50 up to $500 or higher for a portrait session alone. In my opinion, any photographer selling their services for $50 probably isn’t much of a professional, although that’s not to say that the job cannot be done properly. Still, many people are absolutely amazed at the fees associated with photography so let me explain what is involved in the process.
Your Boyfriend with His $300 Camera is Not a Professional
First of all, a professional photographer is not your boyfriend grabbing a point-and-click camera on the fly. If you want that, simply ask your boyfriend, best friend’s cousin, or grandmother to take your photos and you’re all set.
Second, a photographer’s time and experience are valuable. You’re not simply going to someone’s place of business and asking him/her to “just take a few pictures.” It does not work that way. Even if you only need one shot, it will take time to find the best angle, prepare the lighting, and possibly choose the correct outfit for that one memorable photo. A photographer will give you advice on what to wear, make-up, and so on. They have done this before and guide you as needed. That’s why professional photos look professional and the photos you took using your aunt’s camera with your closet, computer desk, wall, bed, and carpet in the background of a poorly lit photo will not look all that great.
Third, I assure you that professional photography equipment costs a lot more than your best friend’s camera. A high quality camera, specialized lenses, memory cards, digital software, tripods, umbrellas and lighting, and colorful background are professional-grade and are quite expensive. You benefit from the latest professional technology being used in the photographs, and used properly at that.
Next, the time it takes to produce your one headshot is more than the actual sitting session. It involves setting up the equipment in advance, blocking off time for the photo shoot itself, uploading the photos and going through them after the shoot, digital touch-ups to the photos chosen for printing, burning the photos onto CDs, bringing them to the photo lab, returning to the photo lab the next day to pick them up and then waiting for you to pick up your prints or mailing them to you. You may have lots of time on your hands but you should always be aware that photographers are busy running a business.
I think most would agree that that is a lot of work for a small fee, hence the great value you get from working with professional photographers. Moreover, I assure you that one of the biggest pet peeves of all photographers is people who do not show up for the photos and are too inconsiderate to call and let the photographer know that they cannot make it. Photographers don’t get paid in those circumstances (unless a small booking deposit was requested) but still took time to set up the shoot and possibly turned someone else down during that period of time because it was pre-booked.
Finally, a professional photographer does this for a living. If it were that simple, many photographers would not count on gigs to be their livelihood. Again, this is not your father lending you his camera to take a few photos. Photographers take pictures for a living and you must understand that when making inquiries about pricing.
The Cost of Photography Service
Whether you’re a model or actor in need of fresh portraits and portfolio shots, a couple looking for a professional wedding photographer, an event coordinator with a big production coming, there is always one question on your mind: How much?
Can you put a price on lifelong wedding night memories? I’d have to say no (unless you get divorced but that’s a whole other story!). The price of the photos and video might be several thousand dollars but the value is much more since you will get more benefit out of the photos than the paper the photos are printed on will cost.
Let me re-iterate the price versus value issue. The cost of a bottle of water is typically about $1 and its value to you is a dollar because that is what it is worth to you to quench your thirst. If you are walking through the desert, you may be willing to pay a lot more for that bottle of water because its value is now much higher than the cost. How does this relate to photography? Spending a few extra dollars for a photographer who takes an outstanding photo and gets you the acting role of a lifetime is worth more to you than the measly cost of the gig.
You should purchase photography services (and anything else you buy) based on value not price. That thinking can change your life, I assure you.
Stock Photography Pricing
One final point, regarding stock photography pricing. Stock photos are those that photographers amass and sell. It could include a visit to the zoo or photos of an office building. There are many websites now selling stock photos, many for as little as a dollar per photo. There is a lot to be said that goes beyond this article but essentially, keep in mind that when you purchase stock photos, it is also not just a matter buying “some guy’s pictures.” Frequently the photos took hours of the photographer’s time, from set-up to uploading to the stock photo selling website. They should be compensated accordingly.
The Digital Photography Services Price List
It’s impossible for me to tell you what to pay as there are so many different factors involved. A freelance event photographer may charge less than one who has to pay rent for a studio, for example. Most photographers have an established photography price list with varying rates which form the basis of their business. They modify them based on specific needs and ultimately it is up to you to appreciate what they do and pay for services (or not).
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Perfectly written. Thanks.
June 16, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I’m a new photographer, and I’m having a hard time of figuring out how much I should charge for my services. Is there any way, You can take a look at my work, and help me figure out a price? I don’t want to be charging too much or too little.
June 18, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I just opened my photography studio with ladies fashion also. Before I begin any shoot I conduct a small workshop shop on how to pose in front of the camera. I think I have something different to offer by doing this. I am having a hard time setting a fair price as I am much lower than the local fashion photographer. Is there a list of standard photographers prices
Arizona
June 24, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I’m not a photographer. Trying to get a fair listing, of the going rate of a photographer.
At some point in all of business ethics has to be a part of the pricing. “Experience is only learning from your mistakes”. What is it that makes someone a professional in an area that is not licensed nor regulated. Only by the very people that claim the self given title?
July 15, 2009 at 12:55 am
Could you please send me a price list and the standard size photos I could get in a package? I want to compare it with the quotation I got. Thanx.
July 20, 2009 at 3:43 pm
To Mr(s) Dun here above, as a professional photographer myself for over 17 years in the profession. I advise you to read the above text a few times over again and again. It’s WONDERFUL TEXT, believe me!
July 28, 2009 at 10:46 am
Could you please post a price list?
August 17, 2009 at 2:38 pm
This article is a good way to justify high priced photography, but not an actual professional price list – falsely advertising (or, groan, artistic), but well written. I disagree that price dictates value, because there are far too many variables to generalize in such a way.
I know several overpaid pro photographers in addition to several more that are underpaid. I wish your article could have explained how to recognize and select a good photographer that is worth his/her weight in film/bytes. Yes, we all know what a boyfriend with a nice camera is and how nice pictures make us all feel, but defining what a professional photographer is and how to know we’ve gotten our money’s worth would have helped a little more.
Sorry if I seem grumpy – it’s been a long day. I really found the article to be well written. I was looking for photography prices, and I thought from the URL that is what I was getting – I did find the article’s perspective to be interesting.
If anyone is interested in photographers’ pricing, google photography. Local photographers will usually post samples and prices on their website – not all of them, but you’re bound to find a few from the list.
August 29, 2009 at 7:11 am
There’s a difference between being adept as an artist and adept as an entrepreneur. That’s why you find photographers shooting $50 sessions. Best solution is to check their book. If you don’t like what you see, don’t pay it. If you think, “I’d pay $500 for THAT!”…then do it. If you’re happy with what you get, that’s all that counts, right? Plus, you’ve then created an expectation that you want met – it’s concrete and on terms you know they’re capable of achieving. If you’re not sure what qualifies as good… well, aside from an entirely separate problem, you can ask them what makes what they do good. If they can’t explain it to you in terms of what you feel makes sense, then maybe it isn’t a good fit for you… or you’re just stupid… just kidding. :)
Also, look for students, post on Craigslist, and talk to people with pro cameras (you can kinda tell). If they don’t have a portfolio, you don’t need to talk to them. It’s simple, but you can find some great deals. Yeah, maybe not overnight; but if it’s worth waiting for…..
A lot of photographers have it hard. Equipment is ridiculously overpriced. You’re not just paying for their gear, you’re paying for their brainpower and creativity.
Finally, I disagree with the $300 camera comment only because, pretty soon, that boyfriend’s $300 camera is going to smoke pro gear. That’s the nature of technology. Can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen go under because of the D40x: 1/3 of the cost, negligible difference in resolution. Buying a more expensive camera doesn’t always necessitate better equipment… oh, that reminds me, you’re also paying photographers for their research into details like this.
September 5, 2009 at 11:03 am
I found this article to be well written and very true. I answer questions like “why are your fees X?” as often as I get the “So you’re a professional photographer. You shoot weddings?” (No, I don’t shoot weddings). I am going to post a link back to this article on my rates page. It says everything I need to say in a far better way than I can say it! Thank you VERY much!
Michael
http://www.magickmichael.com
September 6, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Wow! What an article that does ALL photographers proud. Thank you for explaining so well the intricate details and hard work we as photographers entail. Working at my BEST to bring the BEST service to all my clients is all I endeavour to achieve. You cannot put a price on quality. The article genuinely explains it in one. Thank you.
September 9, 2009 at 5:33 am
I agree that there is and should be a “perceived value” cost to a photographer’s wares, however, most of the reasons described above for the cost, include the fixed costs of equipment. Any other business amortizes this over time. However, many photographers’ prices for a “package” of prints could easily pay for half the cost of a camera alone. So, it appears at least, that rather than spreading out the cost so that their services are more realistic and affordable, many photographers try and recoup as much as possible as quickly as possible.
And on that note, many photographers just starting out really should examine their pricing structure. For example, we recently had pictures taken. They were VERY well done, but the pricing was astronomical. No matter how good they were, the price kept us from purchasing more than just a couple of prints–hardly enough to justify the time it took the photographer to take them. Additionally, no one else in our family could afford to purchase them either.
So at some point, a photographer reaches a “negative return” on their pricing. It doesn’t matter how fantastic of an artiste you are, if the market doesn’t support your pricing, then you’re overpriced. Just like real estate.
September 9, 2009 at 7:31 am
Dobeman – You make a very good point about the amortization of costs over time. However, what I’ve found is that photographers buy equipment on a regular basis and it’s not cheap. It’s true that as revenue comes in, real businesses will set aside some of that for new purchases but where does it end?
Also, the demand for and amount paid to professional photographers have both decreased so much in recent years (I think moreso than when I wrote the article several years ago), precisely because “everyone” thinks they can do it just as well with a point and shoot camera. That means there’s less income to pay for new equipment (and all of the other costs associated with running a business).
There’s no question that photography services are sensitive to supply and demand market forces but a photographer working in an “average-sized” city will have a hard time making a lot of money even if they deserve to make more with today’s “I can do it just as well” mentality.
Further, I think that most people just want the photos on a CD with a handful of prints at this point. They want to be able to upload them to Facebook and email them to friends and family. Prints aren’t nearly as important as they used to be. As such, photographers make less money from what used to be a major source of income.
Blahberstein – I don’t believe that the tiny lens of a $300 point and shoot camera is going to trump a $1,000+ L-series Canon lens anytime soon.
Several commenters have asked for prices. Here’s a general range as food for thought:
Headshots/Portrait Photos: $100-$800
Some factors that may affect pricing include:
- Prints vs. photos on a CD/DVD
- Purpose (to be used in a magazine, for an acting school application, for advertising, etc)
- Photographer experience (e.g., 2 years vs 20 years)
- Studio location (studio in the photographer’s house vs in an office building/studio building vs on-site at your client’s location)
Wedding Photography: $1,000-$5,000+
This will also depend on the photographer’s experience, the number of photographers present (some pros bring assistants), choice of CD vs prints, and the length of the event.
Fashion Photography: $1,000-$3,000/day
I think that the handful of “big name” photographers who still get extremely well-paid for their work is changing. The same way companies would rather pay $5,000/day to a hot up and coming model rather than $25,000/day to an established model, their pricing for photography has changed as well. I recently spoke to an established New York photographer who used to get $10,000/photoshoot for advertising who can hardly get a paying gig anymore because his clients visit stock photography websites and buy a photo that is similar to what they want for $50.
Product Photography: $1,000-$2,000/day
Photographing people is a completely different animal from shooting products. I know some fantastic product photographers who specialize in just that and barely understand what it takes to photograph a model in a dress.
Event Photography: $1,000-$3,000/event
Corporate events such as organization/association conferences can be profitable for photographers as well. Note that these clients typically ask for DVD with the photos and have little interest in buying prints. With tighter budgets these days, I’d guess that the lowest price will get the gig in most cases.
September 9, 2009 at 8:25 am
Thank you so much for this article! It was very helpful and informative… def. bookmarked it to refer back to.
September 11, 2009 at 9:51 am
Great article. Digital media all faces pressures from amateurs and hobbyists, plus the digital world as a whole is by nature super-saturated. Value added services is what keeps people afloat…
September 29, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Okay, I am looking for construction photography pricing. I spent 3 years, 8780 photos and now the engineers want the pics. $$$$? Someone please help me. This hobby is now a headache. Most of the pricing posted is somewhat helpful. What would YOU charge?
October 2, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I have to disagree with the comment about the $300 comment made above (no offense to Blahberstien). The Nikon D40X isn’t the camera that the D60 is which is still a far cry of the D90 which is not as good as the D200 then the D300 the the D700 and on and on really…
The D40X is a good point and shoot DSLR but even at 10.2 MP can’t hold a candle to the mid level D200 which is also 10.2 MP.
I’ve seen pen cameras with 14 MP but that doesn’t mean that they’re better than the point and shoot that is only 2 MP. The smaller the camera, the smaller the CCD. Packing in more MP with a CCD that is too small only gets you distortion. The D40x is a great camera but it’s not a professional or even prosumer grade camera.
Lastly, I’m guessing that in most cases, those that buy the D40x are using the lens (or lenses) that came with the camera. Most of the lenses I use cost more than the D40x with a lens included. Its all in the physics at this point… better glass, better pics. I don’t care what your ISO rating is on your point and shoot is, you won’t be taking pictures that an 85mm f1.4 can capture when attached to a quality CCD.
I’m not bashing the smaller Nikons here, I’m actually a fan of the d40 and d60 as they enable the average consumer the ability to take a better picture than they could before but there is still a difference, major difference in the equipment and it’s not just the price.
October 5, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I always have my doubts of being a “professional photographer” beacause I have had no schooling for photography. I guess you could say I have the most expensive point and shoot in the world (Canon 20D). I love what I do. I’ve done shoots, corporate events, personal events, etc… have the equipment and just recently got my own studio. BUT just NOW after reading what YOU wrote… I realize I AM A PROFESSIONAL!! Thanks for opening my eyes to that!! You made my day!!!
November 19, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Many valid already put forward already. I would like to put one of the most important points to everyone. Apart from the cost of camera equipment, computers, software, and updating all of these. Not to mention all the other costs and overheads as with any business like insurance, indemnity, staff, public liability, premises, furnishing, and much more.
One of the biggest points to consider here is a photographers time. Anything from 25 to 35 hours can be spent working on any one wedding. From the time a couple come into the studio and book the photographer, that is the time which will be taken up before a completed wedding album will be handed to the couple. The photographer will spend a number of hours with the couple at a pre-wedding discussion.
Photographing on the day before and throughout the day, possibly into the night. Then after the wedding there are a nunber of hours spent downloading the images, filing and sorting the images. Getting the images ready for the couple to view (online in some cases). Meeting the couple again after the wedding to finalise the images which they have ordered. Editing these images so that they are corrected and ready to print.
Sending the couple a pdf to approve and make changes to if needed. Spending more time to changing the pdf (back and forth a couple of times possibly). Printing the images (or sending the files out to a lab to print). Etc.
I would just like people to realise that professional photographers are running a business like other professionals and there are a lot of costs involved.
There are many other points I would like to bring to your attention but I have said enough on this visit already :-)
December 1, 2009 at 3:34 pm
my good friend has been a part time model now for a few years and has always been more interested in the photography aspect of her experiences. I’ve been setting her up with a few portfolio jobs the last few weeks and i’m wanting to do more with her, possibly go full time; i handle the business and she the photography.. Not exactly sure on pricing and how to market her work. Is there any help you could offer?
December 30, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I am looking to start myself up as a photographer but I need jobs to be able to afford the best equipment. I have a basic dslr and have a few weddings under my belt so im getting my experience but have had a few people enquiring about me doing portrait work and getting a price of me. I need to get a 3 head flash kit to get me started but what else can I do to establish myself?
January 11, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you! i was just struggling with adjusting my prices, but after reading this article, i realized that i was being underpaid! people just don’t realize how much work goes into what we do, nor do they realize that there is a difference between a mom with a camera and someone that has taken the time and energy to learn the art of photography ( but yes, there are some good photographers who are moms with cameras, i respect that. you can tell who they are too, they’ve taken the time to learn, practice it, and it shows).
I took the time ( and the money ) to go to a college and study photography, all aspects of it. i do deserve to get paid for my experience in addition to talent! and there is a major difference, like many people have said, between the quality of equipment. i started out with a D80, and i gradually upgraded all my lenses. then i took the plunge and bought the D700, and there is a huge difference in the quality of the images! especially when you factor in the difference that good lenses make. unless you shoot with a full-frame or a film camera, your images will be cropped automatically in your camera, MP don’t matter. just saying.
Thank you for saying what so many of us struggle to put into words!
January 30, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I have been taking pictures for a long time i have my certificate to open my own business. I just don’t know what to charge. I have my own equipment and I am good at what I do. Please give me advice.
February 1, 2010 at 3:52 pm
I just wanted to point out that a camera is just a tool, it does not portray whether you are a professional or not, some of my fellow wedding photographers have used point and shoot compacts because its quieter during the service and when allowed they switch back to their slr. However I do believe that a professional is someone who makes a living from his or her photography, a semi-pro is someone who makes a bit of money on the side from their works. I think if you want to get an idea how much to charge, do the research, use the internet and phone other photographers for quotes for similar services that you are looking to sell, after all you are not signing anything.
February 13, 2010 at 6:05 am
Thanks for this article, Brian. It’s aggravating to constantly have to explain to people that charging $400 for a one hour sitting or $50/image for an unlimited copyright release is not exorbitant. Yes, Jen, artistic talent and professional skill are individual and vary by the photographer, groan away, it’s a fact of life. Most good photographers are only mediocre business people because if they loved book-keeping and negotiating contracts they’d have become lawyers or accountants. People think that they can buy an expensive camera and that makes them a photographer but after twenty plus years in the business I can tell you that even having the best pro gear doesn’t make someone a good photographer. Just like owning a Ferrari doesn’t make you Mario Andretti. I wish that other people out there who want to make a living at photography would realize that by underselling they are causing confusion in the market and making it a wearisome fact of life that to be a photographer means constantly having to explain and defend one’s prices. I was a lawyer once. I didn’t have to quibble with clients about billing out at $400/hour but I can tell you for a fact that the amount of education, equipment and labor that goes into an hour of my photography is more than what went into an hour of desk jockeying in a silk stocking law firm, all the egos of all the partners in America notwithstanding…
February 15, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Well put. Thanks for this article. I am an aspiring photographer who is trying to figure out prices, and this article really helped to clarify that it is okay to charge “higher” rates for my work. It feels like a lot to ask someone to pay, but really, a lot of expense is covered in that fee – equipment, time, etc. And like you said, this is how you make a living – it’s not just a free service – anybody can do that.
February 15, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Great article! I have been taking pictures since 2006 with a point and shoot and made a lot of money. I am an Event Photographer and in my TOWN, in my City, the prices were reasonable. Depending on what your local professional photographer is charging, what your target market could afford, and what type of service (quality) you offer, a price list from someone else is not going to help.
You have to do your homework. You have to be creative and offer something the other professionals are not. You have to be available when they are not!
In one weekend I made a cool $742 taking pictures at an outdoor event. I had my laptop, DSLR camera, a commercial printer, and my Canon 430 EX flash. The line was long and I had to hire someone to do the printing and packing for me. No, I am not a professional yet but made some good money in one weekend.
Now, I want to learn more about portraits and working in studio. There is a lot of homework to be done and I will do it!
March 8, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Im having a hard time pricing my service. I need help please and also on what type of packages to do. Its driving me crazy. I have a booking and Im not sure how to get it started.
March 9, 2010 at 10:07 pm
My opinion is that, no matter how much expensive is your camera, it doest make you a better photographer, you just take better photos. To be a good photographer, you just have to have the talent that every artist has. Not everyone can sing or dance, no matter what mic or dancefloor you got. So not everyone can take photos, no matter what camera you have.
You may have $5 camera and with you creativity your photos be the best, make the best. The idea and the dedication to the moment counts.
Now lets say that you have a talent and you have a good camera, then you can make miracles.
So, you can always start with a camera that suits your budget. Learn it, feel it and understand it. Everyday new models are coming. You can’t hunt the technology or else you’ll become the victim of the market (another story).
Thank you.
March 15, 2010 at 3:50 am
Yes, there are several factors to be considered when selecting a photographer. The level of experience, exposure and finally the rate for which the photographer is ready to work also makes lot of difference.
March 28, 2010 at 3:53 am
I have always loved taking pictures and never thought I could turn my hobby into a “job.” Yesterday I borrowed a friend’s children, dressed them up as fairies, and took pictures of them and the spring blossoms. I framed one of the pictures and took it to their mom’s shop. She cried and two people in the shop asked me what I charged. How cool is that?!? Now I have a ton of research to do. Thanks for the great article!
April 8, 2010 at 2:19 pm
What is the best way to price and list your photo packages?
having a hard time doing this. Also bein able to seperate family and friend’s to do your work, and charge without the guilt.
any help is welcome!!!!!
April 13, 2010 at 8:26 pm
I’ve been taking pictures for years now and I would like to sell some of them. I would like to know how much to sell them for, for the different sizes?
April 14, 2010 at 1:36 pm
The camera DOES NOT MAKE the photographer. Give an expert any form of camera, and he or she will make it work.
April 16, 2010 at 6:54 am
Hi there
Do you have an approximate fee for “Site Photography” like landscape, construction site, architecture etc?
A full day price and a half day price range will be much appreciated
Thanks
Crystal x
May 7, 2010 at 8:27 pm
This was a great article to find online. I will be starting up a photography business on the side and I was concerned about what to charge. Right now, I am not charging, and had no idea what to charge, as I am still gaining more experience and knowledge in photography. In addition, I have not taken any classes, I just shoot wht looks good to me, and then I make my final decisions afterwards.
I must say that I realized my Canon Powershot SD1200 took some nice pics that my D70s couldn’t compare to. Granted we are also talking a 6MP difference. Now before the masses gang up on me, I am upgrading to a D300s and will focus more so on portraiture. The prime lens is/will be 50mm F1.8. Like someone else stated I would like to slowly upgrade my lenses, but want to have the knowledge of what to buy rather than just buying everything under the sun,
So thanks a lot for this article, it helped me out a lot.
May 24, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Love your article. I was wondering if I could post this on my website/blog with credits and a link linking back to you? I would love for my clients to have access in reading this :)
June 2, 2010 at 4:22 am
A
Please make sure you follow the terms and conditions of the website. Do not just copy and paste the article as there are legal implications for doing so without paying the licensing fee. If you like the article, please link to it, don’t steal it.
June 2, 2010 at 4:26 am
Nice article! Good comments!
I am a professional photographer, portraits, weddings, event, and small products.
I started with a Mat G ( you old timers will know what kind of camera that is) in 1975. Shot my first “for hire” wedding in 1982. I am now all digital.
No Jen it was not an attempt to justify high priced photography. It was an attempt to make you understand a little more of what goes into professional photography. There is a huge difference in a $300.00 camera and inkjet prints and a full sized CCD “pro” camera and quality lab prints done by a lab that knows what quality and color control is. There is a big difference in someone who shows up with a camera and no other light modifiers (flash and reflectors) to shoot you on location (because they don’t have a studio) and clicks the shutter 200 to 300 times for a session in hope that they can get 20 to 30 good ones and a pro who shows up with enough equipment to own the light and shoots 20 to 40 and shows you 16 very good pictures.
If you can’t tell the difference, the first is all you need then be happy with the $50.00 job and what you get for your money.
If you want a family treasure that will last indefinitely, then seek the pro and pay the price.
I will not boar anyone with the difference in cameras and photo enlargements but will say that in the old days a “pro” could take a Kodak Brownie and get a good picture, however, if you think their results would not be better with a Hasselblad then you are mistaken.
In the digital age the lines of what is a pro camera and pro-consumer and the true point and shoot are not as easy to discern as the before mentioned Brownie and Hasselbald. Yes a pro can take MOST $300.00 point and shoots and make a very good picture. If he is a pro and had his gear it would be a better picture 100 times out of 100.
It is also very true that the semi-pro is cheaper. They have less overhead.
I have rent on the studio, utilities, cameras, backgrounds, props, studio lighting, samples for the studio walls, insurance on the gear, studio and errors and omissions. It’s a lot more than you think. That is why a pro will need to get $100 to $200 per hour for the work he does.
1 hour session
2 to 4 hours of processing and retouching (depends on skill level)
1 hour meeting with you to show “proofs” and get your order
1/2 hour to finalize images and place order.
1/2 hour to meet with you to show your enlargements.
That is a minimum of 4 hours and a minimum of $400.00 they need to make from the sale. Of course the hard cost of the order comes out of that and the rest of the $400 has to cover their overhead. I can tell you they need to shoot 4 to 5 of those per week to even come close to breaking even and 8 to 10 a week to get a steady paycheck.
You might say “charge less and shoot 50 per week”. I refuse to lump my studio into the “Shopping Mall” style of work where they have a 20 year old student working with lights nailed to the floor and 24 stock poses they put you EVERYBODY in and then runs you over to the computer and puts the super hard sell on you that you must pick 4 pose for a $99.00 min. per pose and if you don’t buy right then the images will be deleted.
You just paid $396.00 for cookie cutter photos that 49 other people got the exact same pose and background. But you saw their ad and should have been able to get out for $59.95. Really…. doubt it! And to top it all off some other person’s kid was pouring their fruit juice over your child’s head while you were looking at the proofs and getting the hard sell and now you child is sticky and screaming bloody murder. Fun and relaxing photography experience. Really…..doubt it. You have just been HAD!
If you still can not discern the “pro” from the “mall” or the “we only shoot on location (because we are part time and have no studio)” then please, don’t even pay the $50.00 to the semi-pro part timer. Just save you pennies and get you a $300.00 point and shoot and a ink-jet printer and have your self a blast doing your own photography.
It will be good enough for you!
June 2, 2010 at 10:01 am
I agree with Ed , as well Im a little concerned with department store discounts it seems people dont care about quality just price until they see quality work THEN THEY REGRET IT, as Ed said the time it takes, overhead, insurance, the list goes on and on as well this industry changes quickly so updating equipment is expensive, and trying to stay ahead of the industry.
Every time you turn around it costs big money. I care about every photo session too much and Im way too picky to give out a CD of “unretouched” portraits to my customers to make a quick buck so they can go to this department store and print off your work and it looks like crap. Some of the general public dont realize these are not pro labs;our equipment is calibrated with the lab to ensure consistant quality every time, not just “good enough”.
Why is it in this profession everyone wants to be a photographer, every where you go someone is a “semi-pro hobbiest” and they think they know more than you do. I would not want to try a hand at singing in front of 1000’s of people just because I wish I could sing or see the glamorous side of this profession when I know their are people that are trained or are gifted at what they do and know their equipment. Same goes for photography. (and yes you do pay for experience- thats a fact of life).
Same goes for anyone who works for an employer you do a good job, you get better at your job, pretty soon you want a raise dont you, you worked hard for that didnt you? Everyone wants and needs a reward, our reward is that we have captured special memories for our clients to cherish forever. And I’m definitely not doing it because Im getting rich and there is no such thing as “gravy money” in photography; its work.
If you’re a Master Photographer and charge more than the rest of us you deserve to- your a Master in your field and have the “proof is in the pudding” so to speak- no pun intended. They have experience and expertise and worked very hard. If you dont want quality get “Uncle Larry” to take your photos then go to a department store kiosk- thats what “good enoughs” can afford to invest in and then spend $200.00 on a pair of jeans, go figure!!!
June 3, 2010 at 1:41 am
I’ve done hundreds of headshots and I can classify the individuals that I have photographed into many different categories. One category is the people who recognize a quality photo versus those who can’t tell the difference. While going through photos with the client sitting next to me, I often find that they have no idea what looks good and what doesn’t and (thankfully) rely on my keen eye to tell them what I think looks best.
Given that so many people like that exist, it’s no wonder that they go to portrait studios in the mall. They think that $29.95 at Sears is a fair price to pay, even if the photos are taken by 16 year old high school students.
On the other hand, some “high end” studios like Magenta are in malls all over the place and they use their marketing as a way to convince you that the photographers (also young, inexperienced, non-photographers) in their store are worth the $500 and up price for the photoshoot (note that they then add on fees for printing, framing, etc). I’ve had many people tell me that they blew $500-$1,500 on photos in these places (and some were too embarrassed to tell me how much they spent) and then came to me for much better photos.
June 3, 2010 at 7:49 am
The digital world has turned photography upside down but the true and tried photographer is going to make a come back.. The technology of digital has killed real photography and the Cd has replaced the print. The fine film cameras are clogging up the used sections of camera stores and lenses are discarded like trinkets. Polaroid, the 4×5, the 2/14 and the 35mm will rise again but then again the real photographers may have joined Ansel Adams by that time. Anyone ever price an old Ansel Adams print lately wonder if a CD will go for close a million in the next 75 years. Photography is in need of help and it can,t be save by 24 million megapixels.
June 14, 2010 at 11:02 pm
I’m a beginner in wanting to become a photographer. I know a photographer who is gonna train me on how to get started. I’m gonna pay him $350 to teach me. 2days out of the week for 3hours for 5 weeks. Is this a good deal. He has an outline on what i will be learning. He has taken shots of me before and i love his work.
June 29, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I know many other people have said this but this is just a fantastic article and meticulously written. It feels great and I really appreciate you backing up us photographers out there.
Thanks again.
Shannon
June 29, 2010 at 11:01 pm
What kind of price list do you guys have for family photography? Do you charge a sitting fee and what about a travel fee? I feel like what I have asked a prospective client is reasonable. I have only asked for a $125 sitting fee and since it will be almost 5 hours round trip of driving for me felt like it was very reasonable. What do you guys think? She emailed me and asked me to reduce the fee.
June 29, 2010 at 11:30 pm
the same as kinata.,., Could you please send me a price list and the standard size photos I could get in a package? I want to compare it with the quotation I got. Thanx.
June 30, 2010 at 5:05 am
The same as kinata. Could you please send me a price list and the standard size photos I could get in a package? I want to compare it with the quotation I got. Thanx.
June 30, 2010 at 5:06 am
Melissa – I’ve come to realize that people don’t like a sitting fee. I try to make more standard rates. For example, if you want to charge $125 for the first hour, then make that your standard rate for the first hour of photography. You could then build from that and say you would charge $75/hour after that. Indicate to the client that the session usually takes up to an hour and so the $125 is what most people pay. That’s one way to look at it.
Regarding your 5-hour drive, I would charge a travel fee. So if you have to travel to a client, your fees would look like this: charge $125 for up to an hour if they come to your studio/home/apartment set-up, $175 if you have to go to them and they are within a half an hour drive, and charge an extra $100 for any drive/client that is up to 2 hours away after that first half hour. Again, this is just one way to look at it. There is no right or wrong and different photographers have their own method of charging.
If someone does not appreciate that your time is worth something, you have to pay for gas for your car, and all of the above article that I wrote (i.e., you need to treat this as a business, and businesses have expenses), then don’t do the shoot. Let me say that again. Do not do the photoshoot if it’s not financially worth it. You always have the option of walking away – never forget that. More gigs will come along.
June 30, 2010 at 9:15 am
Will I am starting a photographering freelance work. I am personal starting my price range is 25 to 50 dollars per picture and all other necessary fees to make this new business work.
July 31, 2010 at 9:35 pm