How much should I charge for a photo shoot and additional graphic design?

Question

Hi,

I am starting to feel more comfortable in my photography abilities when it comes to portraits (for weddings, graduation photos, family photos, etc.) and I feel that I finally feel confident enough to charge a higher price. Also, the amount I'm charging is not making up for the amount of time I put into these photos.

However, I'm still nervous about just how much I should charge. I usually do a three hour shoot and then give the client about 30 full quality photos from the shoot. I have always charged somewhere from 40.00 - 50.00 for everything (photos, editing, delivery), but also started creating announcements, invitations, christmas cards, etc. which I've stupidly included in the 50.00 charge.

I don't want to overcharge because I don't enjoy making people spend money they don't have, but what is a comfortable asking price for just the photo shoot and photos with edits? I wanted to start charging 150.00 with 50.00 additional for the designs (photoshop takes a LONG TIME). Is this too much? Too little?

For those of you who are freelance photographers, I would love hearing your input and possible prices I could use to quote people. Do I also charge by amount of photos, hours, people?

Thank you for all your help in advance!

Answer 1

Do you have repeat customers? If you jump from $50 to $150, expect to lose some. I would give repeating customers a price increase, then a year later another one, until they are on par with new customers. As for those, try the $150, if that turns people away, lower the figure. The essence of marketing is to charge an amount that keeps the customers coming in the door but doesn't put you in the poor house.

Answer 2

I am from Australia so I can only go by the rates here. I think it is fair to charge a flat rate. I would estimate how long a page would take me to design. If it is using a magazine template then it is easier, however the first sample pages of the template will take the longest. I would allow 2 days to come up with a 2 good design magazine templates (12 hours) and run these past them for fine tuning before proceeding. It may take 3 or 4 attempts to get to the final sample layouts (another 8 hours). After this it should be easy to put the other pages together if you use the base template (1/2 hour each for me, but you may take longer/less time) In total this should be around 35 hours. I usually charge $35 - $40 Australian dollars an hour for large jobs. This would make it Australian $1225.00 for the whole job. Draft this up in a contract before you start and list what they will get for their money. The other thing you need to make clear is that any authors (changes) they make on top of what you have quoted will be charged at $35.00 per hour. It is really important to include this, as clients often think that they can make loads of changes and they are included in your quote. I have had clients make 6 or so drafts and spent hours more on the job than I have charged for in the past. Say that they are allowed 2 drafts with changes and then you will have to start charging them. When I do smaller jobs I charge more per hour. Also let them know that you are giving them a discount because it is a large volume of work.

Answer 3

50:00 is too much for just a picture probably charge about 40:00 for just a picture but for cute little invitations announcements and things that take lots of time charge a little more like 60:00 Tip: think about how much time something take and if you take a long long time charge more. EX: say something took 15 hours to complete, Add 15 more dollars to the regular price 40+15=55 dollars right there. And if they ask, Well why did you charge me 15 dollars more? you can say because it took more time then the regular price and then take it from there.



Good luck.

Answer 4

if you are selling everything (photos, editing, delivery) for 50$/£ how are you even turning over a profit after you spend money on equipment & everything? sorry if i have read your question wrong