Pet photography - new business

[YvetteH]

I am starting up a pet photography business and right now my biggest headache is trying to figure out what to charge. I am not doing studio photography, but rather on location of the clients choice. I just prefer more informal type pictures. Do you think it would be better to

All sessions will be 1 - 2 hours.
1. Charge a session fee only - will cover cost of time and post processing (maybe $120)
Client can go online (I have an exposure manager site) and allow them to order prints as they like.

2. Charge a fee that includes session fee and a package
e.g. 2 5x7, 2 8x10 1 11x14 (rough price - $200

3. Charge a session fee and allow the client to choose from a range of packages - maybe choice of 3 different packages.

4. Charge a session fee which includes the price of all images on a CD. Client can print pictures as they wish.

Is $120 a good price for a session fee? Too much? Too little? There don't seem to be too many other pet photographers around to compare with which makes it difficult.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Yvette.

[CaptainTom]

Toss out option 4.

Your prices will determine the degree of credibility the clients have in your business. It is perceived value. If someone offers you a new Jaguar at half the cost of everyone else, would you feel something must be wrong ?
If you want to low ball your prices, then all you have to do is set up a table at WalMart.
I can't advise you what to charge, but as I tell everyone: "Don't set your pricing up according to what YOU would pay!"

jmho

[JohnT]

What Tom said.

[YvetteH]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Toss out option 4.

Your prices will determine the degree of credibility the clients have in your business. It is perceived value. If someone offers you a new Jaguar at half the cost of everyone else, would you feel something must be wrong ?
If you want to low ball your prices, then all you have to do is set up a table at WalMart.
I can't advise you what to charge, but as I tell everyone: "Don't set your pricing up according to what YOU would pay!"

jmho

Thanks Tom. I hear what you are saying. I guess I am kind of going with what I would be prepared to pay for this kind of service. Do you think I could compare prices with what people are charging for people portraits? I should probably charge more.......animals can be more difficult....well, maybe not...

[JohnT]

The people who would actually have professional portraits of their pet done view their dog or cat sort of as a person anyway. You'd be surprised what you can get away with charging.

[YvetteH]

Originally Posted by JohnT

The people who would actually have professional portraits of their pet done view their dog or cat sort of as a person anyway. You'd be surprised what you can get away with charging.

Thanks John. I think you are right.

[debbry531]

I'd look at what others are doing specifically for pets as well -- they aren't in the Houston area, but a few of my favorites to check out (who also don't do studio portraits) are Erin Vey in Seattle (erinvey.com), Grace Chon in L.A. (shinepetphotos.com) and Ilona Haus in Canada (scruffydogphotography.com). Erin Vey's well established, Grace Chon is pretty new but her business is booming, and Ilona Haus has recently started up her business.

I'm also thinking about starting up a pet photography business (in Dallas) so I'll be interested to see how your business develops!

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by YvetteH

Thanks Tom. I hear what you are saying. I guess I am kind of going with what I would be prepared to pay for this kind of service. Do you think I could compare prices with what people are charging for people portraits? I should probably charge more.......animals can be more difficult....well, maybe not...

Huge business mistake. Dont think about what you would pay. Add up what your overhead is and how much you MUST charge to turn a profit. The number one thing that my clients pay for after all that junk is my time. There is only 1 of me and I charge for it.

And, if you are good at this type of photography and LOVE animals - people will pay you handsomely.

[YvetteH]

Originally Posted by debbry531

I'd look at what others are doing specifically for pets as well -- they aren't in the Houston area, but a few of my favorites to check out (who also don't do studio portraits) are Erin Vey in Seattle (erinvey.com), Grace Chon in L.A. (shinepetphotos.com) and Ilona Haus in Canada (scruffydogphotography.com). Erin Vey's well established, Grace Chon is pretty new but her business is booming, and Ilona Haus has recently started up her business.

I'm also thinking about starting up a pet photography business (in Dallas) so I'll be interested to see how your business develops!

Thanks for those links Debbie. I appreciate that. Some nice work there. It is amazing how the prices all vary so much.

[YvetteH]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Huge business mistake. Dont think about what you would pay. Add up what your overhead is and how much you MUST charge to turn a profit. The number one thing that my clients pay for after all that junk is my time. There is only 1 of me and I charge for it.

And, if you are good at this type of photography and LOVE animals - people will pay you handsomely.

Thanks for the advice Holly. Much appreciated.

[mccls1030]

Good suggestions here. Also agree to toss out the CD. And lots of luck! Pets are so much fun!!

[toverman]

I know an animal/pet photographer in my area who got her start in that line of work by shooting a calendar for her then-local SPCA chapter of stray shelter animals. She has since had a book published with her photos and research on cats, as well as having photos published in Cat Fancy (including cover shots). Because it's such a specialized avenue, you might consider some way to network with fellow animal lovers ... not necessarily giving your services away, but definitely finding a reliable mechanism to get your name out there.

My opinion on your package ideas is that Nos. 2 and 3 are the most viable. People don't need a million photos of their pets, because most people will take snapshots of them. Your best bet will probably be fine art prints that owners can't do themselves, with the result being a high-quality, frameworthy print.

[YvetteH]

Originally Posted by mccls1030

Good suggestions here. Also agree to toss out the CD. And lots of luck! Pets are so much fun!!

Thanks Sharon. I am looking forward to getting started.

[YvetteH]

Originally Posted by toverman

I know an animal/pet photographer in my area who got her start in that line of work by shooting a calendar for her then-local SPCA chapter of stray shelter animals. She has since had a book published with her photos and research on cats, as well as having photos published in Cat Fancy (including cover shots). Because it's such a specialized avenue, you might consider some way to network with fellow animal lovers ... not necessarily giving your services away, but definitely finding a reliable mechanism to get your name out there.

My opinion on your package ideas is that Nos. 2 and 3 are the most viable. People don't need a million photos of their pets, because most people will take snapshots of them. Your best bet will probably be fine art prints that owners can't do themselves, with the result being a high-quality, frameworthy print.

Thanks for your input Tom. I have just moved to the Houston area but where I was before I was very involved with rescue (I am actually a canine behavior counselor). But I plan on getting involved again in this area and offering my services as a photographer. It is a good way to get my name out there. I think I am probably going to go with a flat fee for the session and then give the clients a choice of 3 different packages with the option to order extra prints if they want. There just does not seem to be any set way of doing it so I will need to do what is easiest, or best for me I guess. It is a hard part of the business to work out but it is great getting everyone's opinion here. Thanks again.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by YvetteH

Thanks for your input Tom.

You can call me Todd!