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Category: Photography Careers and Making Money

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member
 

How much to charge?


Hi I took a photography course in high school and for about 15 years have just taken snapshots. Most recently I have taken some really good pictures of my kids, which caused me to photography up again. I have taken some really good pictures. People are now asking if I will take family portraits, pictures of thir kids, engagement pictures & even wedding pictures. I am planning on taking a course at the local college and in the meantime am reading every photography book at the library. My biggest problem is I don't kjnow how much to charge for amateur photography. I would really appreciate any help anyone can give me.
Thanks


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August 24, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  If you are charging and people are coming to you willing to pay then you need to stop thinking about it as amateur photography. As soon as that happens it becomes professional. The biggest mistake newbies make is not charging enough. Check out your competition and see what they're charging. And remember, you are not selling a product. You are selling your services and skills. IOW don't base your pricing on just what it costs you to develop and print. Charge based more on your time (before, during, and after the shoot), investment in equipment, and skill. That means that prices for your 4x5's shouldn't be 1/4 the price of an 8x10. They should be within a few dollars of each other since your cost of making the prints is only a small part of the equation. You're selling an image. If the customer wants a certain size that's up to him/her. If they will get the same amount of satisfaction out of a 5x7 as they would an 8x10 then why woud you charge 50% less than an 8x10?


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August 24, 2002

 
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