Engagement Photoshoot Pricing Question

[saifmaster]

Hi,
I am new to photography, someone has offered me to shoot some pictures for her engagement, she need around 25 outdoor pictures with her fiance.
I dont know how much to charge and what packages to offer.

Please advice.

Thank you in advance.

[Tom]

What's your time worth to you?

I charge $300 and that includes a disc of low-resolution (600 pixel wide) watermarked pics and one 16x24 or smaller print. They can buy files or prints at our regular print prices.

[suerenee]

I'm with Thomas...it's about your time and what you $ want to come away with from the shoot.

All of my sessions are $350 and come with either a disk of the images (sized to print up to 8x10) or a $250 print credit. Most of my clients opt for the disk and then buy enlargements/gallery wraps from me. Once I show them products (metallic paper, enlargements and wraps) they want to buy because I offer products you can't buy at Sam's or Walgreens.

[ronocnikral]

our last (and only) engagement session here in houston that wasn't part of a larger package was $500 for two hours. that comes with images, but we don't deliver them until 6 months after the wedding (or until their album is complete), which ever happens later. they can pay another $250 to "rush" the images and get the disc as soon as they are available.

i don't understand the "need around 25 outdoor pictures with her fiance." are you going to offer proofs or are you shooting film?

[saifmaster]

Thank you everyone!

[saifmaster]

One more question, she also wants me to take pictures for the engagement ceremony which it at her house, what package should I offer her?
Also where should I go to print the pictures and buy an album in houston?

[w9ctm]

Do you and her a favor and find her a photographer that is already doing engagement photos. Honestly, you have too much to learn and too little time to learn it. If you are in fact new to photography, you could very easily make a friend into an enemy.

Just my thoughts.....

[csa]

It's a friend. You're new. Be upfront and free. Don't promise to shoot the wedding until you see how the engagement session goes. Prepare, prepare, prepare for the engagement session. Look at examples online. Know your camera. Scout your location. Good luck with the adventure. Give her the disk and recommend at least Ritzpix over CVS. When you are ready, there are several threads on good labs. Everyone ships wherever you are.

[ldelacruz]

Originally Posted by saifmaster

Hi,
I am new to photography, someone has offered me to shoot some pictures for her engagement, she need around 25 outdoor pictures with her fiance.
I dont know how much to charge and what packages to offer.

Please advice.

Thank you in advance.

You should charge $600 for the sitting fee and $180 per 8x10. That's the going rate.

[saifmaster]

Thank you!!

[MT Stringer]

I am new to photography

...where should I go to print the pictures and buy an album in houston?

With no experience, you may be getting in way over your head. Good way to lose a friend. You need to research print prices and album prices, etc before giving a quote.

Houston Camera Exchange has some albums you could check in to.

Remember, just because you have a camera doesn't make you a pro. It takes a lot of hard work and experience to make your images look good.

Hope this helps.
Mike

[toverman]

What you do is up to you, but if you'd like to keep a friend I agree that finding someone who is already a professional will help. What it sounds like to me is that your friend knows you are interested in photography and wants to save money (this may or may not be the case). Everyone has to start somewhere, though, so I'll stop short of saying "absolutely don't do it."

But, let's say for example that you take the job, charge the going rate of an established professional and your friend/client is disappointed with the results. What do you do now? Being a pro is having a plan (as well as insurance). Lots of people put the cart before the horse ... learn, get legal and act like a pro before trying to become one.

[saifmaster]

Thank you everyone for the advice.