Question: Pricing for Engagement Photos

[vxPhoto]

Hello everybody..

This would be my first post on P.O.T.N. forums.. i've been around reading posts and learning from all the great photography talent on these boards. I had a question regarding pricing for engagement photos, since i hope to be doing this as a full time career vs. just a weekend or occassional hobby.

Like most of you, I love photography and have slowly started getting into wedding photography so any advice is greatly appreciated.

What do some of you photographers charge for engagement photos? In addition what prints or albums do you provide after an engagement shoot? if any?

The reason for asking im hoping to schedule an engagement session within a couple months but really don't know how much to charge. I don't want to charge too much (since im an amateur wedding photographer) and I would like to turn this couple into customers for their wedding.

Thank you in advance for your advice,

Michael

[coreypolis]

welcome, and nice choice for an avatar

have you thought about leading with the wedding and having the engagement as part of a package?

[tim]

I base all my charges on what I think is a fair price for my time. When you're new to this your time is worth very little to nothing (same as I was worth nothing when I started), you can increase it as you go along.

[vxPhoto]

welcome, and nice choice for an avatar

have you thought about leading with the wedding and having the engagement as part of a package?

lol.. thanks!! I love that show...

with regards to leading with the wedding and adding the engagement as a package, this will be my eventual package plan, but since im starting out, the couple wanted to see what i could do with the engagement session first before hiring me for their wedding.. I see it to be a fair deal and a great opportunity for me.

Thanks for the reply..

[vxPhoto]

I base all my charges on what I think is a fair price for my time. When you're new to this your time is worth very little to nothing (same as I was worth nothing when I started), you can increase it as you go along.

agreed.. I was thinking of charging somewhere in the vicinty of $200 (+/-) for a fairly long engagement session. Not too expensive yet not too cheap... but I was really unsure about the pictures that would be provided to the couple after the shoot. Do I provide prints as part of the package?

Thanks for the reply..
Michael

[tim]

agreed.. I was thinking of charging somewhere in the vicinty of $200 (+/-) for a fairly long engagement session. Not too expensive yet not too cheap... but I was really unsure about the pictures that would be provided to the couple after the shoot. Do I provide prints as part of the package?

Thanks for the reply..
Michael

That comes down to your business model, and your customers.

[MikeMcL]

you can offer them a package (a modest and simple one) as part of the $200... maybe sometthing like 8 wallets, 6 4X6, 2 5X7, and one 8x10... you cost to print all those would be about 8 dollars.. maybe less.

then tell them they can buy additional prints at a price.

I would shoot/cull/photoshop and show them the best 20 in a little 4x6 book. dont even discuss the digital copies of the pics unless you have a price in mind. That proof book is yours unless they want to buy it for a price.. maybe 60 dollars, i dunno.

as the amazing Tim said, you are selling your time. Definately make a little price chart for your refrence and try to stick to it. you also have to be familiar with your cost, so you know how low you can go...

go in with a plan and the guts to sell them on the idea. dont let them guide you too much if you are to be a pro you have to act like it and try to control the situation, as far as their pics are concerned. they are trusting you to do that.

[vxPhoto]

you can offer them a package (a modest and simple one) as part of the $200... maybe sometthing like 8 wallets, 6 4X6, 2 5X7, and one 8x10... you cost to print all those would be about 8 dollars.. maybe less.

then tell them they can buy additional prints at a price.

I would shoot/cull/photoshop and show them the best 20 in a little 4x6 book. dont even discuss the digital copies of the pics unless you have a price in mind. That proof book is yours unless they want to buy it for a price.. maybe 60 dollars, i dunno.

as the amazing Tim said, you are selling your time. Definately make a little price chart for your refrence and try to stick to it. you also have to be familiar with your cost, so you know how low you can go...

go in with a plan and the guts to sell them on the idea. dont let them guide you too much if you are to be a pro you have to act like it and try to control the situation, as far as their pics are concerned. they are trusting you to do that.

Great reply!! :) That's exactly what I was looking for. A reply with information and some general direction. I will take this information and build from it and refine as I get more experience and do more research..

I know there's many different directions for pricing (based on target audience, location and experience) or how to even run your own business, but it's more to look for a starting point and that was my intent from my original post. ;)

You guys are the "pros" so a little direction and information is greatly appreciated by us novice's, especially when you take the time to type out a little explination instead of those open-ended one-liners. :confused:

Thank you for the reply, Mike!!

cheers!
Michael

[MikeMcL]

you are very welcome please feel free to post more ?'s or PM me to get as much help as you need. i can offer far more business and sales advice than i can creative/photo advice... but it seems like what you need.

-good luck, let your confidence show, even if it is partially fake.