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How much to charge for Senior photos
spacerobot
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hi everyone,
I have recently been asked by someone (a friend I worked with last year) to take her Senior pictures. I told her I would do it, but I was upfront about the fact that I had never done senior photos before, however I am confident I can do a great job with them.
However, I have no clue what to charge her. I am definitely not a professional photographer, and do not have professional equipment. My gear consists of a Canon Rebel XT, kit lens, 50mm 1.8, and a 70-200L. I have no additional lighting other than the wonderful flash that is on the camera body.
She informed me that she wants 4-6 wallets to hand out, as well as them being taken at specific locations in our area. She is also willing to drive me to these places.
How much do I charge? Other than my current job as the photographer at a summer camp (where I'm paid the same as counselors), I have never been paid for photography before. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
I have recently been asked by someone (a friend I worked with last year) to take her Senior pictures. I told her I would do it, but I was upfront about the fact that I had never done senior photos before, however I am confident I can do a great job with them.
However, I have no clue what to charge her. I am definitely not a professional photographer, and do not have professional equipment. My gear consists of a Canon Rebel XT, kit lens, 50mm 1.8, and a 70-200L. I have no additional lighting other than the wonderful flash that is on the camera body.
She informed me that she wants 4-6 wallets to hand out, as well as them being taken at specific locations in our area. She is also willing to drive me to these places.
How much do I charge? Other than my current job as the photographer at a summer camp (where I'm paid the same as counselors), I have never been paid for photography before. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
spacerobot on
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I assume you're saying $20 plus whatever the cost of "developing" these are. I say "developing" because I don't know what the correct term is. Printing? Producing? Whatever.
You can buy a cheap memory card and just give it to her when you're done and let her print out the pictures she wants. Then all you have to do is charge for your time + the cost of the memory card. This'll be easier on her, as she can print out those other pictures as she wants or can afford them.
In the past I've sold prints directly to clients, but now I've seen a major shift to almost exclusive website sales of prints.
Today my senior photo package includes the portrait session, from 4-8 locations (this factors into price), a password protected web-gallery of all retouched images from which the client can purchase prints, and a DVD of all retouched images.
It's up to their discretion where and if they print images from the DVD. I don't rely on print sales to make up my profit margins, which is why I charge what I do for the initial fee.
I am actually on the cheap side for professional photographers in Southeast Alaska.
If this is just a favor for a friend then I would charge at least $150 if I were in your shoes.
If you're planning on doing this regularly I would be sure to get a model release from the parent so you can use the subject's portrait commercially (assuming the subject is under 18, otherwise you will need a release from the subject) and I would turn that $150 around into purchasing some lighting gear, a strobe, a light stand, umbrella and triggers.
Ryan M Long Photography
Buy my Prints!