Portrait Photography Pricing at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Still Crazy

Still Crazy
You say you want resolution? The whole world is watching these digicams.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 1st, 2009, 11:04 PM   #1
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 3,015
Portrait Photography Pricing

Hi stills people:

We have a very good health services client, the type of client for whom we have done enough (video) work, that we frequently run out the door without pricing the job or sending them a contract and they always pay promptly, without a fuss. A dream client in many ways.

We have shot a lot of video for them, but one of them asked me to shoot his professional portrait, which I did today.

The shoot turned out extremely well -- he looks very rugged and manly and trustworthy...

Can someone advise me on how to price this? What is the low, medium, and high end of portrait photography pricing? I tried to look this up online, but it was too varied, thought I'd look here for help.

The first guy I looked at only charged $70, but that doesn't even cover my hourly video rate...but I don't want to rip him off or seem unreasonable, either. The shoot took 2 hours, but reviewing is taking some time. And then will be some color adjustments to the preferred picture, etc. Would billing him hourly for five hours seem too high?

Thanks for any guidance--
Meryem Ersoz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 5th, 2009, 08:10 AM   #2
Equal Opportunity Offender
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,007
I'd run it on an hourly rate basis.

Anyone can sit down and have a quick-snap at some photography studio, but sometimes you'd rather have it done by someone (a) who knows your needs well and (b) is prepared to put in the time to make it the best it can be.

In the end, it's the relationship that is worth far more than this photo could ever be.

Andrew
Andrew Smith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 14th, 2009, 08:55 AM   #3
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 8,314
Why not just charge your hourly video shooting rate (not including gear you didn't bring) for the shooting time, and your editing rate for the Photoshop time?

If he's a really good client, I'd probably eat some of the time rather than shock him. If it took two hours to shoot, he won't be expecting to pay for 5 hours, since photo clients never really get how much time you spend going through photos and Photoshop work. Maybe bill him at your normal hourly rate for 2+1 hours.
__________________
Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC?
Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com
Dylan Couper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 3rd, 2009, 05:04 PM   #4
New Boot
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NW Sunny Ole England
Posts: 18
A lot often depends on the usage. I know it sounds daft but often a personal portrait can be significantly lower in cost than one a company requires unlimited us of. Its not something I personally agree with or use, but it is how it is often priced.
My personal pricing varies based upon how much I like the job. If hes a great client, and you spent maybe 30 minutes shooting it, without too much specialist equipment, bill a token $100 and take the intangible benefits of keeping him happy. Without knowing what lenths you went to for the shot its hard to price accurately. If you spent several hours, with lighting etc then its reasonable to charge more.
As others have commented your hourly rate is a fair place to start, but factored into that hourly rate is the equipment you used and post processing.
Personally, if I did the reverse, shot some video for a photo client I would probably charge a token fee that was reasonable. I did something similar a few months back and simply asked what I reckon it would cost to take my wife out for a meal. Everyones happy.
__________________
--
Richy Maui Wedding Planner
Richard Mather is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Still Crazy

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:30 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network