What are your going rates?

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 14 Jun 2006 at 11:55

Recently a lot of people have been asking about how much people should charge for photoshoots and images.

I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread for various users to post a brief note on how much they charge for their services.

Wether this be:
Actual shoot
an image from a users portfolio
or a print from a combined shoot.

I think a wide selection of replies could help new comers get a better idea on how much they feel they should charge.

Johnny

AndyBorzi · 14 Jun 2006 at 12:49

When we did portraits ( we have now given up the business to concentrate on family life!) we charged:

£30 for upto an hours sitting and included a 8"x6" in a folder £60 for upto 2 hours and includes a 10"x8" in a folder and allowed for change of clothing etc

We charged £12 for an 8"x6" and £18 for a 10"x8". We went bigger, including frames and canvas prints but mainly sold prints of these sizes.

On average we took between £180-250 for each shoot (including the sitting fee). Some just went for the 'free' picture, and others ordered loads.

When we do school proms ( we are limiting ourselves on this one but still doing them) we don't charge for a turn up fee but charge, £7 for an 8"x6" and £10 for a 10"x8". Last year we took £2300 on the night and about £300 more after!! Was very very very busy but good fun plus you get to look at some nice looking young ladies!!

(i'm talking 18 years old now before I get accused!)

AB

cyKey · 14 Jun 2006 at 12:58

My current day rate is based on my needs. I worked everything out so that I could charge a rate that was both realistic and one that would allow me to earn a living. However, for simpler jobs I charge £60/hr. I then charge for the prints after. I came to this arrangement simply because people would be asking for 150 photos for £60. So now I charge for the time and then the prints on top. I might change it to include a few prints for that price.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 14 Jun 2006 at 13:33

I am thinking of at the moment (not quite there like a lot of you) to just charge print charges.

cyKey · 14 Jun 2006 at 14:41

Fstop11 said:
I am thinking of at the moment (not quite there like a lot of you) to just charge print charges.

You should still charge something for your time.

hoodmeister · 14 Jun 2006 at 14:54

My rates are completely based on the job at the moment, but I give a benchmark of £30/hr

Print sales are then again, dependant on the job. I usually only charge ~£4 for a 12 * 8" print, but for some jobs that's much higher.

I am, however, more interested in building a contact base than making $$$$'s at the moment.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 14 Jun 2006 at 15:19

cyKey said:
You should still charge something for your time.

So are you saying that if photobox charged £7.99 for a A3.. Then you would base that as the print cost and charge only something extra on top of that to maybe bring the cost to say £15 or would you increase much more ?

cyKey · 14 Jun 2006 at 15:53

Fstop11 said:
So are you saying that if photobox charged £7.99 for a A3.. Then you would base that as the print cost and charge only something extra on top of that to maybe bring the cost to say £15 or would you increase much more ?

Yeah I would. My photobox is set to increase prices by 150%.

Darryn · 14 Jun 2006 at 16:47

As im not very good and only into Photography as a hobby I charge very little, so far on 2 occasions ive charged 2 clients (mates from work) £10 total for about £7.50 worth of photobox prints.

Ive been given tickets, RC magazines, RC hopups and clothing by giving shots to companies.

Currently im more interested in getting experience of differant type shoots and setups then making money from the equipment.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 14 Jun 2006 at 17:21

So far Cykeys 150% increase is near to what I am charging. At the moment at photoboxes prices its twice the cost plus abit more I havent decided on.

DreederOcUK said:
As im not very good and only into Photography as a hobby I charge very little, so far on 2 occasions ive charged 2 clients (mates from work) £10 total for about £7.50 worth of photobox prints.

Ive been given tickets, RC magazines, RC hopups and clothing by giving shots to companies.

Currently im more interested in getting experience of differant type shoots and setups then making money from the equipment.

I still think you should expect some income though, I mean the equipment wasnt exactly easy to come by.

jimpy · 14 Jun 2006 at 20:35

This is a difficult one because clients needs vary and also labour rates in a particular area vary- So how can an individual in 'say' rural Wales/Cornwall base his chrage on what a London/Manchester based worker is charging.
The way round this poser is it seems to me is to checkout what the hour rates in your local car service garage/plumber are and take it from there- their costs will be similar to yours premises/transport/. Print prices - if you use an outside printer then their prices plus 50% - This is normal commercial calculation of 50% on cost gives 33% gross profit - note GROSS - out of that comes the costs of wastage [un taken up prints and the like] so when you have taken all your ancillerary costs out - you have NET profit- that's the bit that lets you eat.