Pricing School Yearbook photos

[JMM]

I have a homeschool group interested in putting together a yearbook. They want a class shot and individual headshots of each student. What is the best way to price this. This is a group that will probably not buy many photos, if any. Should I set a small sitting price per student which includes something like a 5x7. If so, how much?

[laawaaris]

I would setup packages - including 5x7s and 8x10s - and price the combo packages cheaper than what it would cost to buy each individual print that is included in the package.

Based on your arrangement, the homeschool *might* expect to receive a contribution back - if so, then you may have to pad your prices to include the fact that you are donating something back to them.

I would charge a small sitting fee ... $15 per student or whatever you feel they would be comfortable with. Then each 5x7 would be $7 and then each 8x10 would be $10.

Think about your audience too. Most high school students love the fact that they have wallet photos of them in a cap-and-gown or tuxedo to pass out to their friends. Might be nice to think of how to do that as well.

Price it accordingly however, to what the situation is. You might need to go higher depending on what you want to make, what you have to donate, and what the PARENTS would be willing to pay.

[JMM]

I know if you have a photo taken at school that there is no (sitting fee). I assume the photographer's pay is only what the students buy, that the school pays nothing, like you said, probably wants a percentage. Am I correct in this?

I have photographed a few daycares and that is how I work it, I just do not give a percentage to the school. I feel I am providing them with a beneficial service.

This is a home school group. I have a friend that is in the group and she has informed me that the parents just do not buy. Most likely I would be in the hole if I only made money off the packages. The school is wanting images for their yearbook and said a small sitting would work to pass the buck, so to say. Alot of these homeschoolers have a lot of kids and not willing to hardly pay a sitting. I am trying to come up with a reasonable sitting and include just one photo and also offer packages to the side. I want to be able to make money and make it reasonable on a family with a bunch of kids. Probably not possible in this area.
Joyce

[CobyPhoto]

Most, no ALL of the big companies that do these types of photographs for schools kick back more than a "small percentage" to the school. Depending on the school some are in the neighborhood of $10-15.00 per Head! These companies also MAKE the school sign lock-out contracts with them that exculdes any other photographer's work in the annual, exculsive photogragher for the prom and homecoming dance, etc. THAT is how they make their money.

In your situation, you are going to have to have a minimum requirement for each child or you will simply not make any money. Further, in lieu of a "percentage or amount" back to the school, just provide them the good photos for the annual they want to make and/or some design time to make it look nice.

No matter how low you price the prints and packages, you are going to have a group of parents that don't like the price and will not buy no matter what.

CJ

P.S. Oh, and benefical service or not, to get these types of jobs, you WILL HAVE to kick back a percentage or equivelant service of value to the school or daycare, etc. because too many others are willing to do it in order to get the opportunity. I do a fair share of this type work, and if I am no t kicking back $$ I am kicking back service (free of charge) that is of equal or better value to the schools in order to keep the paying business at my studio. It is a fact of life and doing business.

[JMM]

How do you figure your kickback, if you do not mind if I ask.

[laawaaris]

since this deal might not make you a TON of money and you are not engaged in a LOCK-OUT contract (aka Lifetouch Prestige)

you might want to consider a lower contribution ... I would start by considering 15% kickback to the school ONLY IF you think you can make money at that amount ...

in the past I have given 40% when I know the deal can make BIG money and the organization has done a lot for me ... and other times as low as 20%-25% depending on the number of potential buyers and whether I am testing a new market for the first time ...

[CobyPhoto]

There are so many things to consider in determining a percentage to give back. Are you giving back a percentage off the top? Or on your NET? Careful what you promise a client! I would be hesitatant to even start at 15%...AND I would be offering that on NET and NOT GROSS sales.

Not making alot of money and no assurance of future revenues from this place is reason to DECREASE the amount you are paying back. I reserve the higher percentages for clients that are repeat and bring me alot of work. The more they bring the more I am willing to cultivate that relationship.

In fact, I would try and offer a service (design of the annual etc.) that I mentioned earlier as a way of paying them back over an actual percentage and cash. (If this school held ANY opportunity of real revenue, one of the big companies would be shooting it and giving it a percentage back.) Remember that, and in your negotiations be sure they are aware that your decision to do this for them is actually to their benefit, as no one else has offered ANYTHING. (Assuming this of course, as they are looking for someone and talking to you.)

The reason more photographers fail, is poor business decisions. NOT poor photography. If you want to make money at this, you MUST realize, you are in the BUISNESS of photography and your decisions must reflect that.

My mention of Lock-Out contracts was only to point out how the Big companies insure they make a profit. Lifetouch/Prestige is only one...MANY others do the same thing.

And finally, it might be a job you consider taking and only break-even on...IF you feel the potential for building new clients is there. I do a couple of private school every year, and I don't make alot. BUT, I do clutivate alof of new clients that spend money on other work at my studio. (Or otherwise I wouldn't be doing the work!)

CJ