What is the definition of "Session"?

[MrsOpie]

I recently had someone inquire about boudoir pictures and I told her the boudior session is $150. She then asked if she got any prints or a CD from the $150 and i said no but she could order those things from the online proofs. Am I ripping people off? Am I missing something?

I thought the word "session" ment for me to spend 2 hours taking the pictures and then post processing the pictures afterwords.

What do you guys offer for the "session" price?

[gateruner]

I think you are right on the money. I have seen it done your way and I have seen it done and there are photos included in the price. Just depends on how you want to operate. Personally I like to offer something along with the session or package so it seems to be more of a deal. Just increase the price to include what you want to give them or possibly create a couple of packages with the bottom one being the photography only and then another that includes some photos.

[cdifoto]

The session is the process of posing and shooting. That's the session. What you include for your fees is a "package." You can offer no prints and just the shooting, and that's your package. Or you can add the session and prints to make a package. Or a session and CD/DVD for a package, etc.

Whether you're ripping people off or not is a matter of perspective. Depending how much time you give, how much your prints cost, and how good you are, $150 could be a bargain. Although I'd feel ripped off if I got an hour with you for $150 and you charged me 50 bucks for a 4x6 print. :)

Some people on here might say I'm cheap since I provide a $300 print credit and 4 hours of shooting for $400. But my individual print prices aren't dirt cheap so I'm not actually giving myself away.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

A session, to me, is defined by the first pose to the last click. Now, as Don said, you may offer a session fee included as part of a package. That may also include prints/proofs. However, when I say "session" or "session fee" to a customer, that has nothing to do with prints.

[liza]

I keep the session fee lower and increase the print price. I've found that people tend to spend a bit more that way.

[Kamra]

A session as I know it is whatever time it takes you to photograph the subject entirely. Take a portrait session for instance...I like to ask the client to bring at least two changes of clothes. Maybe one formal and the other, casual. You can put a time limit of two hours if you're concerned the client may abuse your time. Anyway, in most cases I've sold more photographs when I have more poses to sell. If you're going to kiss off your profits by including a cd/dvd make it worth your while. It's been a while since I've done this as a business so I'd be interested to know what prices photographers are putting on their prints these days.

I just did a wedding last Saturday for the first time in years and I was amazed at how rusty I got. I knew I wasn't going to be able to produce what I used to so I shot it for three hundred dollars and offered time only. In this particular case I also promised a cd including all the shots. I'll clean out the lousy ones and still be able to give a pretty nice package.

I hope this helps: Tony

[jillybean]

session/sitting- all the same stuff
a specific amount of time, outfits & poses
everyone will offer something different for all different prices

I personally offer a proof book ( 6 images on a page) they get to keep that if they spend over $100.00 in reprints-this is for portrait work only.

[*Mike*]

Yep, session = time and talent, no prints. We've recently cut out all hard-copy proofs even... And, our new projector just arrived today!!! Woo Hoo!

So, for our session fee (lowest is $275, goes up to $500 for bridals), we spend 2-3 hours shooting and then process 10 images which are presented to the client. Then, we sell primarily wall hangings, with smaller sizes (8x10 and below) only available in packages.

[Lin-z]

Yep that is how I define session.... now if you give them something more than your time and online proofing that I would call that a package.

I keep my session fee/sitting fee, low to try to encourage more print orders. I only offer CDs as an option for weddings, but if they ask I offer it at the same price I offer a wedding CD most of the time they turn that down and order prints instead... which is what i want them to do

[MiniMemories]

i don't know anything about photography yet but i went to a professional in my area and her session fee was $50 but her prices for prints were alot higher. i would think you would be better off doing it that way but if higher session fees work for your area then go with it. don't change your prices because one customer thought it was high. prices are defined by quality value and demand. if your moving product as much as youd like dont change if your not and it's not the quality that can be changed then it has to be the value. i read this yesterday in a starting your own business column.