How much would you charge?

[glacebay]

Before Christmas, I took some photos of my friend's family. I told her, that I was happy to do it and there was no need to pay me anything. 2 Hours later and a death threat from her telling me I better cash the cheque, I was paid approx. $20 bucks for 2 hours of service (but that 2 hours FLEW! I had a blast.) + PS time.

She loved the pictures and so did her friends. Now her Friends would like me to take their family photos and want to know a price point. Here is where I draw a blank!

I don't want to over charge because I don't consider myself in any way 'professional' AND I would gladly tell anyone that wants 'professional' photos to contact there nearest professional photograph. Lets face it, it's their livelihood. However I feel asking for a few bucks is reasonable for my time. (aka time I could be playing my the kids, Time I could be spending with the wife, etc etc etc.. Work for me is 10+ hour days)


Thoughts? Suggestions? Similar Situations? A THREAD I should be reading?


THANKS!

[ssim]

If this is just one of those things and you aren't trying to make a habit of this why not make it enough so that they feel they are actually buying something and you are rewarded for the time you have spent. The reason that I say "if you aren't trying to make a habit of this" is that you don't want to set yourself up as someone who charges very little and then as you grow your part time business and you try to increase the price it becomes harder. You always run into the "well you did Sally's shots for 40.00 and now you 60.00". A little forethought into your pricing structure will make sure that you don't run into these problems.

If you are doing this as just a favor and some fun why not take a nominal fee of say 40-50.00. You can take your wife and kids out for a bite to eat then for the time you spent away from them.

First of all I think you need to determine if this is a part time business or if you are just going to do the very occasional one for fun.

[glacebay]

You always run into the "well you did Sally's shots for 40.00 and now you 60.00". A little forethought into your pricing structure will make sure that you don't run into these problems.


Ahh Yes. Thank you, because I wasn't thinking about that at all. I was thinking $50 bucks which includes my time, photoshoping and putting the picks on a DVD. Which is probably 2 - 3 hours of work total.

Think that's a little low?

I appreciate you help!

[IndyJeff]

LOL Sheldon as I was reading the OP's post I was thinking, "heck at least make enough to take your family out for a nice dinner and pay your expenses."

Great minds think alike I guess :)