Senior Shoot

[rowingbum]

I have my first senior shoot coming up. Not sure what to charge.
It will be outdoors, not studio. Suggestions would be appreciated.
I don't want to overcharge, but I will be doing some legwork looking
for a rugged, edgy, rocker type setting. Heavy metal sort of look.
Thanks.

[HotHolly]

Location shoots usually cost more than studio shoots. More time is required for travel, plus gas, plus location fees (if any). Our shoots are a flat $275. Different people charge differently depending on the length of the shoot and what you are including. Figure out how many hours are involved and your expenses and it will help you get how much your session fee should be. And newBs never over charge. Everyone I have ever seen has always undercharged. You usually shoot the session, do all the work, and realize you didnt charge enough. Consider print sales post-session also. Good luck!

[toverman]

How did you book a job without quoting a price? I've never done that before; my clients always know the price of my session (plus sales tax), what is included with the fee, what I offer and when products will be delivered ... before they become my clients. Just wondering!

[Debbi]

Holly is absolutely right. Make sure you do not undercharge. I don't do a lot of senior shoots but they are long and a lot of work. The shortest senior shoot I have ever done was 3 hours. I have one on Sunday and I charged $250 for 2 hours (a couple of locations) and I have known the mom for 16 years, so I did give her a break - a straight time charge with nothing included. She told me that she knows she got a deal. I also know she wants wall prints, wallets (lots) and an album.

[rowingbum]

Thanks for your help! I figure we'll do the shoot, I'll get my first senior shoot for my port, she will get the photos and arrange for prints herself. She has seen my portraits. Whatever we decide money wise will be fine with me. I just had no idea what a common charge was for these outdoor shoots. If I do another, I will have a set minimum and upcharge the prints. I did a shoot last weekend at a yacht club, a lot of work, and loved every minute of it. No money, just a model and myself enjoying the last three hours of sun. Obviously you can't make a living that way, but for building my port, it's a start and a satisfied feeling afterward.