You might have read my previous "Parts and Labor" article, if not, take a minute to look at it. There I explain how photographers are a service, so payment is expected if a service is provided to a customer. So, as a client, expect to pay for any service you request from a photographer in some form, but just as with any service, those prices can, and will vary.
Consumers:
When you contact a photographer about their services, ask about their rates and what they offer. Every photographer offers something different, depending on their own business practices. Not every photographer offers the same things, and not all photographer's prices are comparable. More experience photographers often charge more. Novice photographers tend to charge less, and often offer things that consumers are not often interested in.
Make sure you ask specifically what you are paying for, and what you will receive. Ask for an estimate and a contract if you find it necessary. If a service or item is not listed on your final invoice, don't expect to get it. Also, do comparisons. Look into portraits studios, Target, Sears, Walmart, and see what they offer. With those, you will not have a personalized experience, and you will often pay more to receive less.
Next compare individual photographers. With that, understand prices and packages will vary tremendously based on the value the photographer places on their work, their skill level, years of experience, and any additional services they may offer. Newer photographers may charge any where from Free to $40.00 a session, while more experience photographers can easily jump to over $300.00 a session. With that, some may offer prints, CDs, retouched images, photo albums, and more. Also ask your photographer if they do everything in house, or outsourced. Photographers with a higher overhead (meaning they invest just as much as they make) will charge more, but they can also offer more at a greater professional level.
So make sure you think about what you really want, find out who offers it, and go with who will best capture your memories.
Photographers:
Before anything, place a value to your work.
Now, pause here and go read:
"Blood, Sweat & Ink - What is Your Work Worth"
"Managing Money Expectations"
"How To Get Over Your Fears And Raise Your Prices as a Photographer"
"How Much to Charge for Your Photography: Negotiating Your Worth".
I recommended ready those to get an understanding of how to better gauge what you do and how to put a value to it. From there think about providing the best for your client while expanding your business.
Be clear about what you offer and how much you charge. I suggest a set price list that you can show to clients and inform them exactly of what they can expect to receive. Provide this at every meeting, or in every email where it's requested. Don't pick a number off the top of your head that you think sounds good. Really break down what you offer and how much you want to charge for it so that your photography grows and you can offer more to your clients.
Secondly, don't sell yourself short. Don't give stuff away because you feel its the right thing to do, or as a better way to attract clients. Understand, everything you do as a photographer affects the way a person looks at all photographers, the art, and the business in general.
At the end of the day make sure you give your clients what they want, while protecting your brand and business. In this day, with everything being digital and easy to access and share, once your work is out of you hands, it is out of your hands, but remains a representation of your business.
These are just a few tips that I've learned along the way. If you are a consumer or a photographer and have more questions or would like advice on what to look for, or what to offer, contact me. I'll share more of what what I know on a .
Evin L Grant
by: Grant Photography