BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Selling Your Photos

Photography Question 

Mandy Hank
 

High School Reunion Question


This may be an odd question, but I have someone who wants to know what I would charge to take pictures at a high school reunion. They want to know about a flat fee and also a fee if people would like to order photos. What in the world would you charge for that? Thanks, Mandy Hank


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November 04, 2005

 

Jay A. Grantham
  I don't know what you should charge for taking shots at the reunion ... but if you plan to make any money off the pictures, make sure you have a way to print them on-site and have them available right then. I wouldn't bank on Internet sales after the fact.


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November 04, 2005

 

Liza M. Franco
  Mandy, I have only done one and I found that in my area you don't get paid a flat fee, just a per-order charge. I sold 8x10s for $10.00 and brought them to a local 1 hour photo lab and had them back to them before their evening ended. It was the quickest and easiest $280.00 I've ever made. The folks were thrilled, everyone paid in cash, and I was outta there. No orders to have to deal with after the fact. I did make two extras, which were sold on the spot when I got back.


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November 04, 2005

 

Michelle Ochoa
  You will make the most money if you print on-site, or at least can have them delivered that evening. After waiting a month or two for proofs, the novelty of the evening wore off, and we didn't order any. I had a friend do photos at my reunion. We contracted her to do keychain viewers (like at amusement parks), and paid her $3 each for 120 (the number of people attending). The price was worked into the ticket price for the attendees. Then when everyone had their photos taken, they were able to order reprints. Most of the time, people paid extra to have group photos done, and then you sell multiples of the same shot. She made another $300 that evening, in addition to what we paid her. That's pretty good for a small reunion.
If you want to make it worth your time, I would charge a set fee, and include one print, a 5x7 or even 3x5 at least in a paper frame. That way they get something, and you at least know you'll get paid, and won't spend hours at a reunion and get paid $50. Prices are up to you - what is your time worth?
If you can't print on-site, and you're only taking pictures one shot at a time as people arrive, you probably won't be there more than a couple hours. I would charge a fee of at least $50 an hour, but it depends on your experience. If you're shooting digital, maybe you can preview the shots and at least have people order at the party. Hope this helps.


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November 05, 2005

 

BetterPhoto Member
  I once charged the reunion committee $100.00 to show up and $10.00 per person to have their pictures taken and I was there for two hours in a corner of the room with a chair and some plants. The patrons were then provided with print costs and were told how to contact me separately so that if they wanted any prints I could show them the proofs and they would order what photos they wished. I charge about double cost on prints and if I use my medium format, I add $10.00 per customer as this covers the shop's cost of scanning the image.
So get to know your local shop. Get a price list for ALL services and go over with them which services might be needed in particular for a specific job. They want your money and they want you happy enough to come back again.
How much do you want to be paid for this? Then charge it or as close as you can and still be reasonable. Test the market and see what you're worth and then act like the professional photographer you are. If you have any questions or need encouragement, post here again or visit my Web site. Thank you.
Walrath Photographic Imaging
http://home.comcast.net/~flash19901/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html


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November 06, 2005

 

Gregg
  I had no sitting fee to do a large group. I charged $12 for a 8x10 which includes mailing. Print costs were $1.35 at a pro lab. Postage was about $2.5 including stuffer. Sign up was about 65%. An easy $600.


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November 08, 2005

 

Edward A. Tepper
  Check out eventpictures.com

I have no personal experience with them but you can take the pics, upload them and the party goers can go to the site and choose what pics they want. You get a commission.


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November 11, 2005

 
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