how much to charge?

[freeranger]

I have been approached by an International Women's Association who wish to learn photography and some photoshop techniques.

What do you think would be a realistic price to charge?

 

[Leigh Youdale]

It's difficult to be too exact - different countries, different currencies, different cultures. I assume (a) you're not a professional photographer or teacher and (b) this is a community group of some kind.
I'd first try to find out how many women would be in your "class" and if they've had any previous educational classes before. If they have, then they may, with gentle probing, reveal what their price expectations are. Even if you're successful in finding that out I'd then see if I could check with the previous providers as to their charge rate, or if none of that works I'd try to find out the costs for similar types of tuition or training that might be charged by local educational establishments.

 

[Pablito]

In the sexist spirit of the title of this thread, ever heard of the barter system?😱😀😡😱

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I teach too, and do regular price checks on other education providers such as driving schools, swimming instructors, and fitness coaches.

You'll discover the sweet spot, the boutique price, and the heavily subsidized levels.

It's well worth helping your potential clients to get funding, so somebody else pays your fees and they get the tuition...

 

[Gumby]

Now that I have your undivided attention...

No you don't. The joke is on you!

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Another method I use is to find out how much a lawyer, an accountant, or a university teacher here charges.

From there I decide my own hourly rate.

If just one person wants an hour of my time that's what she pays.

If five people want to learn then they pay a fifth each.

 

[majid]

Another method I use is to find out how much a lawyer, an accountant, or a university teacher here charges.

Interestingly, sex workers apparently use lawyers' rates as their benchmark too:
http://gawker.com/367813/hookers-and-lawyers-cost-the-same

Come to think of it, the comparison makes eminent sense, even if it is insulting to prostitutes.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Now that I have your undivided attention...

I have been approached by an International Women's Association who wish to learn photography and some photoshop techniques.

What do you think would be a realistic price to charge?

Find out how much money a teacher makes where you are. Divide that number by the number of students. If what you know is worth that much money, then that's what you charge. if it isn't, turn them down.

 

[Pablito]

If you are not an experienced educator, use the opportunity to get experience. Just because you know stuff does not mean you can teach it.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I don't think that $100 an hour is too much and $150 seems like a good figure. You won't be getting medical coverage, paid vacations, retirement benefits, etc.

 

[freeranger]

Awww mods! Have the fundamentalists taken over RFF? - The beauty of language is that we can have so much fun with it.

Anyhoo....Thank you so much everyone that responded to this thread. It has indeed given me many things to think about. I especially enjoyed majid's information (but how do they know it is not the lawyers that charge sex-worker's rates?)

Funny comment Pablito! (but I implied no sexism in my title - "Servicing Women...How much to charge?" was simply the shortened-to-fit-in-the-box version of "Servicing an International Women's Club with some knowledge of photographic technique and image manipulation...how much renumeration should I expect considering the current economic climate?)

There would be 5 students in a group. I am a professional educator (though I have not taught this subject before) - and though I don't want to do it for free, this would be a great opportunity for me to extend my cv and potential contacts ... plus it would be fun! ... all these things will have to weigh on my asking price.

 

[dan denmark]

i am a retired university lecturer and career professional photographer. i now teach specialised photography subjects as well as short filmmaking here in Australia, have been for the last fifteen years. i prepare for each participant a spiral-bound A4 20+ page "manual" of what i feel is core and background material that is relevant to my presentations, and teach a five hour day. these manuals give enough information, charts, etc, that the students, all adults, can refer to them after the one-day class is completed. i get A$845 per day plus expenses (Euro 430 more or less per day). after the workshops are finished the figure seems a bargain, so i am told. but i am also very thorough. many photographers i know who teach workshops often "hold back" for fear of giving away their livlihood skills. this will not happen after teaching for one day what you will have learned in a career and you won't be giving over everything you know, anyway, this isn't possible in such a short time.

good luck teaching. it is a wonderful expereince seeing faces of adults light up like children.

-dd

 

[freeranger]

Hi Dan, thanks for the reply - Your course sounds excellent - if I wasn't on the other side of the world I would be signing up!
I think that your message is that you get paid what you are worth....maybe you could over price yourself the first time around, but then there probably won't be a second.

Great advice! Many thanks

 

[alan davus]

Interestingly, sex workers apparently use lawyers' rates as their benchmark too:
http://gawker.com/367813/hookers-and-lawyers-cost-the-same

Come to think of it, the comparison makes eminent sense, even if it is insulting to prostitutes.

Yes it does make eminent sense because either way your'e gonna get screwed.