beginner session rates

[Pattyhm73]

i came up with this packages...too xpensive or too cheap?

[imported_JeromeL]

I don't know what the competition is like in Dani, but it seems like you're offering a lot for a low price.

[RochinPhotography]

I agree.

Also I would suggest against hi-res on CD and provide prints. Its easy and another way to make money. Plus you give people prints they edit as they please and print as they please. You end up with possible junk prints with your name behind it.

[Pattyhm73]

Originally Posted by RochinPhotography

I agree.

Also I would suggest against hi-res on CD and provide prints. Its easy and another way to make money. Plus you give people prints they edit as they please and print as they please. You end up with possible junk prints with your name behind it.

yeah ur right but right now i have a crappy printer n dont have the funds to invest in one, so i gotta make a lil more money to buy one, but eventually i will do prints, i know they will have it easy to print as many pictures as they want or maybe edit, but i would have to deal with that until i can afford a decent printer

[Pattyhm73]

okay how about this rates?
im putting the expiration date just to see how this rate works lol

[Pattyhm73]

Originally Posted by JeromeL

I don't know what the competition is like in Dani, but it seems like you're offering a lot for a low price.

i live in Covina lol, Dani california is the title for a song from the red hot chili peppers hahaha

[imported_JeromeL]

better, but what's up with the prints?

[windrivermaiden]

Costco does a good job with prints, get to know the people behind the kiosk so you get good relationship going ...So does Smug mug. I've never used Mpix my self but a few friends have and have been happy.

[RochinPhotography]

Originally Posted by pattyhm73

yeah ur right but right now i have a crappy printer n dont have the funds to invest in one, so i gotta make a lil more money to buy one, but eventually i will do prints, i know they will have it easy to print as many pictures as they want or maybe edit, but i would have to deal with that until i can afford a decent printer

No need for a printer when you can go through the 1.4 billion labs out there.

[RochinPhotography]

Also as far as "expires" Its always best to leave your prices "high" and offer discounts to make people feel they are getting a deal.

[island_girl1]

I've read thru this thread and one thing I do want to suggest is, that if you are offering a family package, you may want to change that to a family of 4 and then charge for per additional person(s) after that. If a mom is looking at your price list and sees that your family pkg is for a family of 3 and she's a family of 4, she might not want to pay that additional fee for the 4th member. That's just my opinion.

I agree 1000% with Jonathan about offering the CD. They can/will take the CD to Costco, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target or the local drug store and get poor quality prints made and like he said, your name will be behind it. The profit that you want to make is in selling the photos.

You can set yourself up an account with Mpix (I have an account with them), Miller's Lab (the parent company of Mpix) or White House Custom Colour (whcc.com) or any other lab of your choosing.

Set yourself up with online proofing or do the proofing at your home. Always watermark your proofs and NEVER let a client walk out with the proofs, printed or on CD, unless you get some sort of deposit first.

One more thing, you want to add to your price list that you will need a non-refundable deposit. The deposit will be for holding that date and time slot.

[RochinPhotography]

All good advice from Tina,

Remember if you sell yourself short you sell every one of us photographers who make a living off our talent short.

I am dealing with the hassle of a local photographer who charges $25.00 for "senior portraits" There quality is CRAP!. I mean so bad I can charge the 25.00 and just show up with a disposable camera and take the pictures.

[Pattyhm73]

thanx u guys i really appreciate all ur guys advice, u guys are great!!!
i am gunna look into printing labs, just gotta learn how it works, i have no clue

[RochinPhotography]

Pretty easy really. Upload your photos select the size to print and bam. ;)

[imported_JeromeL]

glad we could help.

i'd start with mpix, they're pretty easy to get an idea with.

jerome