Rates

[Trooper]

I suspect this is a sensitive and subjective subject, but I'm trying to determine a fair rate for my photography. For years, I've shot people for fun, and the satisfaction of seeing my photography improve over the past two decades. Recently, I have found myself busy at least once a week shooting portraits on a TFP basis.

Now that I'm getting referrals, I would like to find a rate that will 1) be fair to myself and my skill level, 2) not undercut other photographers in my area, and 3) not be too high so that it runs off business.

My third criteria is my biggest concern and what I can find the least information on. So, where do I start and what do I do?

 

[x-ray]

Become a member of your states professional photographers association. I believe every state has one. Contact the professional photographers of America in Chicago and they can provide contact info. I was a member of the national and Tennessee for many years. Most members are happy to help. The PPofA can provide malpractice insurance as well which is worth having if you work with the public especially if you ever shoot a wedding. Both the states and national have excellent seminars on business. You may also find a local chapter.

 

[willie_901]

Rates are tricky. Different types of gigs pay at different rates.

The most common mistake people make when starting out is not charging enough. This seems like Catch-22. If you charge too much no one will hire you; if you don't charge enough you end up working for practically nothing – which is not sustainable. And you don't want to be known as the low-cost photographer because making the transition to being known as the high-quality photographer is difficult.

x-ray's advice on contacting professional organizations should be taken. There are even worksheets that help you calculate your total cost of doing business. My will add that it is rarely a good idea to work for free in exchange for a by-line or other credit. Of course there are exceptions, but there aren't too many situations I've heard of where doing a job for fee has lead to paying jobs. Needless to say posts will follow mine describing great success after working for free. I look forward to learning how to make that marketing strategy pay off.

 

[Trooper]

Rates are tricky. What I'm doing is an hour session with about 75 images in digital. The shoots are outdoors around my hometown or in my house--travel is nil. With Lightroom, I adjust conrast in bulk and send the images to the client after about an hour of work. They usually pick about 10-15 they want from the contact sheet, and I email using LR presets. Occasionally I'm asked for high-resolution to print, which I supply for specified images.

I have been doing this for free to build my portfolio, and because I enjoy it. But, now that I have more demand than I can schedule, I think a charge will weed people out quickly. I know that $100 hasn't slowed demand, so $120 is my new number. I feel guilty charging people for something I enjoy.

I suspect that this price is low compared to professionals in my area. I'll continue to raise prices until demand drops off, which will indicate I'm either close to the professional rates, or I have garnered the most I can with my inferior product. I hate to do the trial-and-error method.

I looked at the PPA and I'm considering it. It does seem like a certification mill. I will be doing this part-time for the next 15 years or so.

 

[Bill Clark]

Try here:

http://www.ppa.com

Rates vary with a wide swath, determined by many factors.

I'm retired now, out of the loop.

My local affiliate is TCPPA. You should have a PPA affiliate where you live. I believe, if you can, to find someone who could be your coach and mentor, helping you along with your photography journey.

 

[x-ray]

I've not been a member or the PPofA for some years but got my master of photography in 1985. Times are different now but at the time and for many years it was a respected certification in the advertising / commercial world (I've only done commercial work). Today it seems clients have little respect and it's only about price. There are exceptions and I still have clients that pay top rates but but they are few in number now. There are just too many friends of friends with cameras that will work cheap.

I agree if you start low you'll always be known for low prices. Bones as mentioned are most often a joke. In 47 years I can't think of a single job I can trace back to a byline. Only a few years ago a byline accompanied payment. Bylines have become a way of getting free work. I even has a call from an ad agency last summer that wanted me to go out of town on my dime and shoot all day and do a half day of computer work for a byline. I asked if it would lead to pay work and they said they couldn't prommis. This was work they would get paid for but I would be shooting free. As I laughed at them guess what I said. Just don't get trapped in cheap or free work. It costs you money to shoot jobs. Your car, gas, insurance, utilities, depreciation on your home, liability insurance ( you must have this), camera, repairs and everything that you spend money on goes into the cost. Also you better be up front and get a business license and pay taxes. States are going after folks that don't. Also all it takes is your competition that operates legally to turn you in because their pissed.

Do it right and stay out of trouble. Get insured! I'd your camera falls and hits a kid your sunk. Too many things happen. It's more than pushing the button and taking the money. I speak with nearly 5 decades of running a very succesfull business.

One last thing, when money gets involved the entire dynamic changes. Money changes expectations. Money can take something you love and make it a job you hate.

 

[Trooper]

I've not been a member or the PPofA for some years but got my master of photography in 1985. Times are different now but at the time and for many years it was a respected certification in the advertising / commercial world (I've only done commercial work). Today it seems clients have little respect and it's only about price. There are exceptions and I still have clients that pay top rates but but they are few in number now. There are just too many friends of friends with cameras that will work cheap.

I agree if you start low you'll always be known for low prices. Bones as mentioned are most often a joke. In 47 years I can't think of a single job I can trace back to a byline. Only a few years ago a byline accompanied payment. Bylines have become a way of getting free work. I even has a call from an ad agency last summer that wanted me to go out of town on my dime and shoot all day and do a half day of computer work for a byline. I asked if it would lead to pay work and they said they couldn't prommis. This was work they would get paid for but I would be shooting free. As I laughed at them guess what I said. Just don't get trapped in cheap or free work. It costs you money to shoot jobs. Your car, gas, insurance, utilities, depreciation on your home, liability insurance ( you must have this), camera, repairs and everything that you spend money on goes into the cost. Also you better be up front and get a business license and pay taxes. States are going after folks that don't. Also all it takes is your competition that operates legally to turn you in because their pissed.

Do it right and stay out of trouble. Get insured! I'd your camera falls and hits a kid your sunk. Too many things happen. It's more than pushing the button and taking the money. I speak with nearly 5 decades of running a very succesfull business.

One last thing, when money gets involved the entire dynamic changes. Money changes expectations. Money can take something you love and make it a job you hate.

Thanks for the great advice. I really appreciate it.