family/kids photography

[michael_]

So i took some shots of my mums god daughter this morning, gave the CD to the mother at lunch time so she can print what she wants, within an hour 4 of her work friends and a few of my mums friends have asked me to take shots of their kids playing in the park and possibly some outdoor family shots. They have all said they will pay for my services, as i am only starting out i dont particularly want to be charging an arm and a leg so how much would be a reasonable amount to charge for say a few hours shooting outdoors at a nominated location then process the photos and send them a CD with Hi-Res versions? i am thinking no more than $100-$150 AUD and if they want prints i can organise that through my guy at extra costs. Should i have contracts drawn up? OR should i simply take photos for them for free for the experience?

here are the shots from today http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2511379#post2511379 , well some of the 500

any advise would be great, my next step is to make up some business cards and get them handed out.

[newbie_photog]

I am just starting out myself so I don't know what to charge but I would get at least a model release so you will not have any trouble using the images for promotions etc. (that is if the laws are simmilar to the states)

[michael_]

hmm model release never thought of that, ill have to look in to that.

[sageone]

I highly recommend a model release. In terms of your pricing, you have to figure out what your time is worth. It's different very everyone because we all have different levels of experience. However, never sell yourself short. If people like your work, they will pay for it. I always start out relatively high when it comes to bids, knowing all well that I can lower my prices to meet the clients needs. You have to look into things like what you would charge for your hourly rate, do you want to offer packages, do you want to sell prints online, etc. I would look around on this site a bit more because what you're looking for is there in a round about way. Like I said though, it's going to be up to you to figure out what your time/talent is worth. You might start small and charge $50 an hour and then $200 for 400 exposures or something like that. Keep it simple at first. Then expand as you get more comfortable.

[stlscape]

I would charge them *something* for your time at the very least. That way, if they tell other people about your work, you won't have to deal with "But you did Joe and Suzy's photos for free. Why do *I* have to pay?"

[PhotosGuy]

hmm model release never thought of that, ill have to look in to that. There's some help in the "Sticky"s above your thread.

[sierra_nova]

Hey Michael
I think that first of all you need to decide whether this is a bit of fun for a few extended friends, or something you want to turn into a business - be it a side business or something you can end up doing full time.

If it's a business - then set it up properly from the word go, and you will make life a lot easier for yourself.

You need contracts, an abn, insurances - and you need to charge adequately for your time. 500 photos seems like a lot - are you post processing these as well?

You have to think too - are you charging for your time, or for prints. I am a so called "low cost" photographer, but my aim is to sell prints - if a customer wanted a hi-res cd, I charge A LOT more for that.

If you are charging for your time, then cost it accordingly. What sort of hourly rate do you want to be making, add in your business costs..

So much more to say - pm me if you want to chat more at length.

Cheers
Naomi

[michael_]

thanks Naomi

I have an abn, will look into insurance and contracts, as for the 500 shots, well she is kinda family so it was fun, out of the 500 i kept about 250 and processed about 40 so far just for my own benefit really, gave her the CD of just hi-res jpegs nothing more.

I would be charging for my time, i dont have printing equipment here so would outsource that to my guy but could make money through that by chargin a small % on top of what he charges me.

as for hourly rates atm its not a full time job frankly its still a hobby with a few paid things here and there so as far as hourly rates again not sure im thinking $50 which would include my transport costs to and from.

I will take you up on that offer :)

[karensimmons]

If you're charging and making a profit you MUST act like it's a business. If you're just doing a favor for a few friends and asking them to cover the costs, then that's a whole different thing.

Karen