Who does Senior Portraits?

[dsze]

Can anyone give me some idea of what you do for Sr. Portraits as far as packages go? Do you offer a package? Do you offer different packages for studio & outdoor work?

thanks
daniel

[Scottes]

Whatever you do, don't do it for family.

:D


Sorry, couldn't resist....

[dsze]

..... good reminder... point well taken :wink:

Its not family. I actually did a Sr. on Sat., and was just wondering how my package compared to what others offer. ..... Yes, I just questioned my package... no comments on that one please. :)

-daniel

[timmyquest]

talk to sugargirl342

She works at our local studio and from what i understand is very much involved in that process (putting packages together).

[sugargirl342]

OK here we go. At the studio that I work at we offer 6 packages for the seniors. A range from $65 up to $225 for the big spenders. :D

We have sitting fees. We have 2 sessiones that we offer and it is an additional charge to go outside up to the park and other places we go outside.

We still offer the same packages if they go inside and outside no matter what.

I hope that helps a little. Any other question I will be glad to try my best to help you.

Meg :D

[Vegas Poboy]

OK here we go. At the studio that I work at we offer 6 packages for the seniors. A range from $65 up to $225 for the big spenders. :D

We have sitting fees. We have 2 sessiones that we offer and it is an additional charge to go outside up to the park and other places we go outside.

We still offer the same packages if they go inside and outside no matter what.

I hope that helps a little. Any other question I will be glad to try my best to help you.

Meg :D

Sugargirl342, I would like to know how much do you charge for sitting fees? What is the time limit 1or 2 hours per sitting.
Thanks

[robertwgross]

I knew a film photographer who did virtually 100% of the senior photos for one high school. He set up a deal with the high school administration.

Two objectives: He wanted to shoot 100% of the kids for formal yearbook purposes, regardless of whether they had the ability to pay. The school wanted that. Then, of course, he wanted to reel in some kids with wealthy parents who could pay, and who would want lots of prints.

He got his rates all structured so that he could shoot two frames minimum on each and every kid, and then he shot more on the ones who were paying. The school administration liked that, and the paying parents didn't know that they were subsidizing the others. Since all of the senior shots were shot by the same photographer in the same studio with the same film and same camera, then they all had the same look and feel. Of course, he got lots of business for the informal poses as well.

It probably took some muscle to set the deal, but then he had a goldmine.

---Bob Gross---

[timmyquest]

It probably took some muscle to set the deal, but then he had a goldmine

Thats pretty much what our boss has going for him.

[robertwgross]

It probably took some muscle to set the deal, but then he had a goldmine.


It's also important for the boss to hire mine labor as cheaply as possible.

---Bob Gross---

[sugargirl342]

ok around here we don't do by the hour. For the seniors. We have 2 sessions.

Session 1 is 30 mins for a $25
Session 2 is 45 mins for a $35
option to go outside is an additional $10

( one thing to keep in mind is that the owner is an older man and is very stuck in his ways and thinks those sitting fees are too much still... )

We have depposites they have to pay before they take home their proofs that goes towards their order.

when it comes to weddings, that when they charge by the hour but i dont deal with the weddings as much

All I know is that it is $800 maybe more not possitive for 4 hours thats before ceramony during and groups after. ( I think )

so hope that helps as well.

Meg :D

[dsze]

Thanks for all the info meg...

-daniel

[Vegas Poboy]

Thanks for the reply on Charges.

[WayneWallace.com]

Wayne Wallace Photography in Las Vegas, NV offers many different kinds of senior portrait packages which include studio and on location in different portrait styles.

If you would like to find out more about our senior portrait packages please visit our website.

[mizuno]

Senior Portraits are such a foreign concept here in Australia.

It obvisouly a great income stream for you guys, I wish we could introduce it here.

[SR071]

Mizuno - we do have that kind of thing more and more now...it started with the private schools for their yearbooks, and now a lot of the state schools are getting in on the act too for yearbooks.

[dsze]

Senior Portraits are such a foreign concept here in Australia.

It obvisouly a great income stream for you guys, I wish we could introduce it here.


LOl... Yes, my wife is Australian. She thinks Sr. Portraits are this silliest things here, but she doesn't complain when I bring in $500 for one afternoon. :) ...they're not all that good though.

[JohnEBongo]

Wayne Wallace Photography in Las Vegas, NV offers many different kinds of senior portrait packages which include studio and on location in different portrait styles.

If you would like to find out more about our senior portrait packages please visit our website.

Can you say "SPAM"

[saravrose]

Up here your senior photo is what's put in your yearbook the year that you graduated. It's also a commemorative of the rite of passage of graduation and often the last time someone will have their portrait taken until wedding/college graduation... I still remember what a big deal it was, fortunately I graduated early and managed to avoid them (not my thing).. But I'm going to be shooting one in a few weeks, wish me luck... Have no idea how it's going to turn out.

sari.

[Jon]

Can you say "SPAM"
Not, I believe, in this case. It's a direct response to the OP question, and entirely appropriate in "Cornering the Pros".

[JohnEBongo]

Not, I believe, in this case. It's a direct response to the OP question, and entirely appropriate in "Cornering the Pros".

I see your point.......thanks

[mgstudio]

There's a number of locations you can choose from. Make sure you checkout the company. There are a lot of home based photographers that just do it as a hobby but try and make a quick buck.

Michael Gaskell
http://www.mgstudio.com
http://www.mgstudio.net

[dsze]

There's a number of locations you can choose from. Make sure you checkout the company. There are a lot of home based photographers that just do it as a hobby but try and make a quick buck.

Michael Gaskell
http://www.mgstudio.com
http://www.mgstudio.net

lol...thanks, but this question was originally posted almost 3 years ago! ...a little late on this one ;)

thanks though,
daniel

[Copdaddy5]

Daniel,
I'm glad you didn't have to wait three years to get an answer. Also, thanks for asking the question three years ago. Some of us are up-and-coming and the answers to your question are still relevant. Thanks for posting. This information was helpful.

Daniel (but not the same as the originator)

[dsze]

lol... good to see an ancient thread come back to life. Since my original post, Sr. Portraits have actually become a major portion of my business and probably my favorite thing to shoot. I actually haven't posted anything here on POTN for quite some time. Maybe I should reconsider and start to read some of the posts here again.

[willowdawn]

I personally love seniors. Even though this thread is ancient, I'd love to revive the topic as I am currently reworking my senior marketing.

I don't do senior specific packages, believing that flexibility is beneficial to all parties involved. My collections and general pricing is listed on my site.

Anyone have any thoughts on how to encourage seniors to shoot earlier or later in the year? I can't understand why they want to shoot during the summer. I did one last summer that at 7:00 in the evening it was 105 degrees and 89% humidity. We were all exhausted and miserable by the end of it. The rest of my seniors waited till fall. The air was crisp, the colors were amazing and it just makes for a generally more pleasant experience.

[dsze]

Well, I actually really like having some seniors in the Spring, some in the Fall and some in the Summer! I think it helps keep things fresh and the look unique.

[spcalan]

I do a local Christian high school's sports photos.
4 - basketball teams.
6 - baseball/softball teams.
I offer packages as well as online viewing/purchasing.
Thank goodness for zenfolio.

[liza]

I shoot senior portraits from mid-September through January, and my packages are priced from $55 up to $300. I also charge a minimal sitting fee mainly to cover my time and gas, if it's a location shoot.

[kevo2005]

No packages for me...$12.00 a unit. Clients don't feel like they are in a box, and they usually order more. I've had someone spend $600 just for prints...but I did their graduation announcements too.

[liza]

The unit thing is an interesting concept, which I may consider for next year's seniors. But I would do it in addition to traditional packages, since a lot of people don't seem to want to be troubled to think. ;)

[Jayson Prentice]

I'm currently trying to figure out some details for my senior pictures. I was thinking of just doing a list of options and let them choose, but Liza brings up a nice point of why not do both. Have a couple packages that people can choose if they wish, or then just do the unit thing...

Likely within the next month I'll have my price, etc. picked out and if I remember I can post them in here for you to see what I come up with (if anybody wishes).

[kevo2005]

Basically what I do is...I have three sessions..
Session A $30.00, Session B $50.00, and Session C $75.00
with each session my client gets a free 8x10...goes up so B gets 8x10 and a free unit, and C gets free 8x10, unit, and 11x14 collage of the shoot.

Then if they want prints...I use walmart to print 4x6 of all the proofs...they order from that. $12.00 a unit (1-8x10 or 2 5x7's or 8 wallets or 4 4x6).

Every 100 dollars they order they get a free unit.

Seems to work well. It can get confusing if you allow the client (which I did at first) to mix match the unit.

So if they want a unit of 5x7's it must be the same print, not 1 of print A and 1 of print B....that get's confusing especially with the 4 4x'6s.

i think it's more confusing for me ordering the prints than the client.

[liza]

Then if they want prints...I use walmart to print 4x6 of all the proofs...they order from that. $12.00 a unit (1-8x10 or 2 5x7's or 8 wallets or 4 4x6).


You might consider using Mpix for proofs. They have a 19 cent cart you can use and their prints look one heck of a lot better than Walmart. When I started using them for proofing, my sales increased.

[bwolford]

Basically what I do is...I have three sessions..
Session A $30.00, Session B $50.00, and Session C $75.00
with each session my client gets a free 8x10...goes up so B gets 8x10 and a free unit, and C gets free 8x10, unit, and 11x14 collage of the shoot.

Then if they want prints...I use walmart to print 4x6 of all the proofs...they order from that. $12.00 a unit (1-8x10 or 2 5x7's or 8 wallets or 4 4x6).

Every 100 dollars they order they get a free unit.

Seems to work well. It can get confusing if you allow the client (which I did at first) to mix match the unit.

So if they want a unit of 5x7's it must be the same print, not 1 of print A and 1 of print B....that get's confusing especially with the 4 4x'6s.

i think it's more confusing for me ordering the prints than the client.

I can do this quite easily with Exposure Manager (http://www.exposuremanager.com/aff/newtampaconcierge), including allowing the client to mix and match prints in a unit. If you want to discourage single sales, you can also just boost the individual prices for 4X6 and 5X7.

I do like this unit idea!!! Thanks.

[jbstudios]

i do packages starting at $179 up to almost $800. Most of my seniors this year went with my biggest package which was 569 and that is going up next year. I love the seniors. I offer things like unlimited clothing changes, locations, etc. they seem to love that. my pictures do seem different that what the other photographers in my area are charging. I would like to get to only doing them i think. I love the age and they are so full of themselves. Gettting non sexy clothes are an issue for me. I tell them i wont shoot them in mini skirts and if they wear shirts that all i see is chest i try and shoot at an angle. You can check out my prices at jbstudios.info but remember each area is different in pricing. Good luck!

[mgstudio]

That's right! Wayne Wallace does a great job with Senior Portraits.

Commercial Photography
MG Studio
Las Vegas, NV
www.mgstudio.net

[CincyShooter]

I dont exactly have "Packages" for them to pick, I mean I do but then I give them the option of adding more for a lesser price, I usually come out ahead around 175 after paying for the Printing and Ink and all that hard labor of cutting the Wallets.