How much should I charge for a formal 70th Birthday?

[markubig]

Hello all -

I have been asked to shoot a 75th Birthday party, which will be taking place at a banquet hall. The potential client knows that my capabilities only reach towards shooting the party, post-processing, and providing the proofs on a CDs (maybe printing them), and he is OK w/ that.

What's the going rate for a job like this? I've done quite a few of these, but they've only been for friends, whom I never charge, so I have no idea where to start . . . actually, i might start asking for a little something as it eats into a lot of my own time.

In the event that I want to provide printed proofs as well, where can I go to get nice 4x6 photos printed . . . are printed proofs just a pass-through, or are they also marked-up?

oh, and I am in New Jersey if that makes a difference.

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

[RandyMN]

Locally the going rate is about 100.00 per hour on the low end. If you can achieve truly professional results I don't think that is asking too much.

[SuzyView]

My husband's secretary just had a family reunion and birthday party for her parents and she hired a local photographer. He was a friend and charged around $800 for the 2 hours and 4x6's of the pictures he took. He gave her the disk, I think, with everything on it. Her family decided which pictures would be processed and printed eventually.

This is my thinking on such things, charge for the time you actually spending at the event and post. I do very final processing. Most of my friends have family members or they themselves can process the captures. I take around 200 pictures (and you should charge them for the time), then hand them the disk and say goodbye. There is no after event worry. They have what you did and they decide what to do. Now, if they ask for an album and I have to do all that post processing, I charge by the hour. They pay for all the printing. Just make sure you communicate with your customer so no one is surprised.

SuzyView

[markubig]

Randy/Suzy - Thanks for giving me a baseline to work from!

[PIXI_666]

Mark,
im not sure on how much to charge, i myself, when i do things like this i really ask for a low price, i guess i don't want to scare people off to start with, and secondly i think to myself "Im not good enough to charge a lot because im not professional" i have to keep stopping myself from doing that because it's OUR work, we do a lot and we can't exactly underpay ourselves for all the time and effort we put into these things.

SO im not the right person to ask because i am way too generous lol

BUT...as for printing digital prints, i always find that searching on yahoo.com or google.com for places to print everything is great! I found a really good place in Australia, you download their software, and then when you want some prints just do what the software tells you to (Which is hardly anything) then you put the photo's you want on the software and press go and they all come back a few days later, in the sizes you wanted and everything!

I cant help you on that either really haha coz im Aussie...BUT i suggest searching on yahoo or google and finding something similar. Because these prices are as low as 40cents right up to $15 which is hardly ANything compared to what ive been charged before...and its so damn easy!They just turn up at your door!

I sent away for a few photo's the first time, just to check the quality, and if it was crap i wouldn't go with them, but they were great quality! So i suggest just trying the places out first!

(Then you can get your full proof book for under 40cents per photo - which on average will cost you $80 all up really!)

OK hope that helped ill stop rambling haha

Del

[PhotosGuy]

In the event that I want to provide printed proofs as well, where can I go to get nice 4x6 photos printed . . . are printed proofs just a pass-through, or are they also marked-up? Some people will do either. I'd include them so, if they make crappy looking prints off the CD at the local drugstore, they can see that yours were better & know where to place the blame. Keep in mind that it's going to be, "Oh, Mark took these!", whenever someone sees them. ;)
I've tried several places for printing & Costco is the winner hands down. I'd surprise them with a free 12X18" print, which would only cost you $3. Mark it down as an advertising expense. ;)
Costco Printing
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81122
Costco printing problems using Dry Creek profile
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=105210

[Sledhed]

I'd surprise them with a free 12X18" print, which would only cost you $3. Mark it down as an advertising expense. ;)

Awesome idea Photosguy. WHCC and mpix are top notch when it comes to printing. I've also had great success with Winkflash. Google Winkflash coupon and you'll find coupons for 50 free 4 x 6 with first order. They also only charge .99 cents for shipping.

One more thing, make sure you get a signed contract.

[PhotosGuy]

One more thing, make sure you get a signed contract. It might go down better as an "Agreement"?

[Sam]

if they make crappy looking prints off the CD at the local drugstore, they can see that yours were better & know where to place the blame. Keep in mind that it's going to be, "Oh, Mark took these!", whenever someone sees them. ;)


This is the reason I never ever let people have my digital files. Even when I am taking pictures 100% free and giving prints to the person for free knowing that I will never use the images again. I don't want someone looking at a picture I took that was printed off of a ten year old desk jet printer.

[Zepher]

I would charge $600 for 4 hours of coverage with the printed 4x6 proofs and give them a rate sheet for any reprints or enlargments, and not give them digital files.

these are the candid prices my friend charges,
16x20 $100.00
11x14 $50.00
8x10 $30.00
5x7 $25.00
4x5 $20.00
8 Wallets $32.00
S&H $4.00

you can adjust the prices to suit your needs, since the small prints are kind of expensive on her list.