 Andrea L. |
Setting Prices for Your Work I'm being asked by several different clients to shoot family portraits, pet portraits and sports photography. I've been wanting to start my own business in photography & the opportunities are now coming my way. I've done some work in the past for friends where I've only charged for the cost of film & processing. I'm completely stuck as to how to charge for thiswork & this is holding me back. A family wants outdoor family portraits done this month. Not sure of how many yet, but at least 6 people. Also been asked to take action shots of hockey players during games in October and client wants 8 X 10 shots of each player on the team ( 17 teenage boys - rep team) I don't have a clue how to charge for this work. I don't want to charge too much - as I would like to get my name out there and get the experience - but it would be nice to make a little money for my time. I would like to start out charging fairly reasonable prices - but have no clue what is reasonable considering all the factors. I have a digital Pentex istD SLR and my film SLRs - Pentex MZ7 and MZ50. Not sure which cameras using yet. Digital would cut costs of film. Any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
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Mark Feldstein |
You can start by doing a search here and writing to some of the people who started and responded to other threads about this very subject. Where are your clients going to come from? How far can you extend word of mouth referrals before they kind of dry up? Do you have a business plan that includes market expenses and a plan? Expenses for things like liability and equipment insurance, licenses, taxes, equipment, professional association dues? Do you realize that 80-85% of your time isn't going to be spent shooting but prospecting? Will your geographic area support another photographer? What are they charging? Have you really considered all the factors involved in starting and running your own business? Do you know about copyright usage agreements, release laws in your state, photographic contracts and other photography-related business practices and issues including what your time is worth BEFORE you even load a single pixel. I tell you these things Andrea, not to scare of daunt you but to let you know very briefly what you're getting into. Setting prices is only a very minor part of this deal but you need to be pretty accurate with that from the start so you don't get a reputation for being cheap and later, when you try to raise prices, people will be shocked at your new fees and go somewhere else like to some Olin Mills shooter at K-mart or Walmart. Know your competition and who your allies are locally, and from the outset, be aware, be very aware of what you're getting into in terms of the competition and costs involved. It ain't as simple as hanging up a shingle and saying "I'm here..come buy pictures from me". Do it right. Do your homework.
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Raymond H. Kemp |
I’m currently working with photo author Michal Heron on a textbook project and I learned that one of the books she authored is, “Creative Careers in Photography: Making a Living With or Without a Camera”. Her book has chapters that do address your concerns and you may find it helpful as well as what you learned here. You can find all of her books on Amazon.com Ray
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Carolyn L. Fox |
Mark & Raymond, speaking of liability and equipment insurance, who would you recommend? I have equipment insurance now, but am not totally satisfied with the company I'm using. Also, I currently belong to NAPP, but am thinking about joining ASMP or PPA. Would you recommend one over the other? Thanks for your help.
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Raymond H. Kemp |
Sorry Carolyn, I cannot be of any help. I do not belong (and have no immediate plans to belong) to any of those organizations. I’m sure Mark can be of more help with your query. Several of the ASMP General members are good friends of mine and I could ask them about it. As far as my equipment insurance, that is with my local agency and I do know all of my stuff is “scheduled” on my business insurance. Same company that has my homeowners. Ray
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Carolyn L. Fox |
Thanks, Raymond. I asked my insurance agent about insuring my photo equipment and he said they don't cover it. It's a major insurance company, so I was really surprised. Perhaps I just didn't ask the right questions. I think I'll try again. I think I'm paying too much with the company I'm using and they don't do full replacement value.
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Mark Feldstein |
Hi Carolyn. Both organizations you mentioned are good although my preference is ASMP because of the type of shooting I do and the programs they offer, including equipment insurance. I haven't looked lately, but as I recall there's info about their carrier on the asmp.org web site. National Press Photographers Ass'n. also offers us insurance, both health and equipment. nppa.org Another thing you could do is call a local commercial insurance agent and ask them for a few quotes from different companies. In all likelihood, they'd be inclined to recommend the most expensive outfit (go figure), but if you do your homework you'll likely find a reputable firm that will provide more than adequate coverage for not much dough. Sometimes too, it's much nicer and easier to do biz with an agent locally rather than one across the country. That's especially true if you need to make a claim.
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Raymond H. Kemp |
Yes, that was the answer I recieved years ago when I inquired about my equipment and business. There will be an entire new policy just for that if your insurance provider covers business. Explain to them in a little more detail what you are looking for. I do know most homeowners will deny a claim if they find out your equipment is used in a professional manner. Make it clear what you do and how your equipment is used. Just so happens it is the same company as my homeowners. Ray
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Carolyn L. Fox |
Mark and Raymond, thanks for the info. I'll check it out.
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Andrea L. |
Thanks for your comments!
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