How much am I worth?

[GrandMan]

I have been taking photos of people for a while now and have been recently getting alot of positive feedback. People outside my circle of friends have started to ask me to do photos of them, asking me how much I charge per hour etc, questions to which I have no answers. My post processing varies from 1 to 5+ hours. I need money (enough said). I am an honest man and do not want to overcharge for my services.

Some of my works



http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs16/f/2007/132/1/5/Marcel_by_laurencecc.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/480444351_0c39a3a047_o.jpg

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs16/f/2007/132/0/7/Maximus_by_laurencecc.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/506990295_a7e1ab456f_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/490274484_b3bb865ffd_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1232/703599989_324cc8d57c_o.jpg

P.S. I am 18 if that has any relevance.

[Mom2Twins]

Asking how much you are worth is not a question that can be answered easily. Where you live makes a huge difference in pricing. I think you have some awesome images here, but I think you need to look at the competition in your area and at least use that as a starting point. Don't undercharge...thats almost worst than overcharging, b/c you will give the impression that you aren't worth as much as you probably really are. Also, note that being able to capture a great shot is only half the battle...the business side can be more work than the actual photography.

And, I'm not crazy about the posing of the girl...she kinda looks like she has a floating head, kwim?

[Dchemist]

Nice images. Do you ever shoot from below a subject?

I figure you are worth the same as a local tradesman - say a plumber. Where I live my plumber company (likely not the plumber himself) charges me $107/hr - so I figure, depending on the nature and desireablility of the job - $50-$100/hr would be fair. That is likely cheap relative to a make-a-living from photography photographer but you have to start somewhere. Good luck, Dennis

[*Mike*]

Depends on where you live... Great stuff, and you should be able to make some good money. I'd say better than a plumber - since I doubt that a client could get the same result you'd offer from anyone else. Your stuff is uniquely your own, so that makes it a real commodity.

Now, if you happen to live anywhere near central Texas, then forget everything I've said. Practice for a few more years. In the meantime just send those prospective clients my way and I'll take care of it for ya. ;o)

Seriously... I charge $275 for a session with 10 digital proofs. The session itself is about 1-2 hours. I don't see why you'd have to charge any less than I do. But, remember, so much of it is presenting yourself - marketing yourself - as worth whatever you're asking.

[00silvergt]

I would say you being 18 is irrelevant, however with people being people, that may be a crutch you will have to live with for another 10 years or less... But you do great work so I think this may not be that important, make sure you make one helluva portfolio, that way they will overlook the age factor.

[HoRnYTuRbO]

check ur local photog's website's for prices and adjust to that