Why, why, why.....???

[Ledrak]

Why… does everybody ask “how much should I charge”? I don’t get it. I mean, I understand that people want to get an idea of what the going rates are, but there’s no right answer to this question. There are too many factors that determine price. Everyone has to come to their own conclusion on what they think their work is worth.

For example: I may take the exact same photo as you, on the exact same day, with the exact same equipment, at the exact same shoot… and I may sell my photo for hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than you. Why? Maybe I feel that my work is worth more than yours. Maybe I have a lot of expertise and feel that I’m one of the top professionals in my field. Maybe I just have a name like “Picasso” and everything I do will automatically be inflated in value. Or maybe I’m just a good salesman and can get people to pay 10 times the going rate for my work. The bottom line is there are tons of factors involved, and there is no easy way to answer the “how much do I charge” question, as the answer is almost always very personal and subjective.

Everyone should be asking themselves, at the very least these questions. How much is your time worth? How much is your effort or labor worth? How much money does it cost you to create the work? Then there are tons of other question you may need to take in consideration from the buyer. Are they going to be profiting off your work is a big one. But perhaps one of the most important question you should be asking yourself is, “how much is it worth to YOU”.

Perhaps the better question people should be asking is, “what’s the going rate for an 8x10 glamour shot (or whatever it is you’re selling) and then adjust your price from there based upon your own personal answers to questions like the ones posed above.

[gjl711]

Why the rant?

[Bubble]

same thing with "what lens should i get" question. :)

[MikeMcL]

people seek support and validation. They just want someone to tell them what their labor is worth. Much the same when someone takes a decent pic, and puts it up hoping for praise. Most of the time, they ask for critique... but rarely want true critiques.

The funny thing is, you can almost never give an exact number... you have to talk them around the idea so that they can decide for themselves.

I say, sell it for the most you can get people to buy it for. If they wont buy it, lower the price a bit.

Lolz.

[Mark1]

I thought it was a rather self-evident question. People who do not usually sell their photos really have no idea what to value it at. It may be true you might be able to sell the same shot for thousands. But to someone who never even thought of selling it, may offer it for $35. This hurts those who can sell. So to try to be fair, people will ask and try to price accordingly. Most of them will never even imagine they can sell a shot for a thousand dollars, no less several thousand. The opposite is also true, if for some odd reason they love their crappy picture but try to sell it for thousands..... well you know the rest.

I know I have the same question at times. I have not sold a picture in 10 years. But now that I am shooting again, I have no idea what the current market is like.

Its a shame people cant be more supportive of the newbies. If we don't share and teach......we are working in a dieing industry.

[RandyMN]

“how much is it worth to YOU”.

Perhaps the better question people should be asking is, “what’s the going rate for an 8x10 glamour shot (or whatever it is you’re selling) and then adjust your price from there based upon your own personal answers to questions like the ones posed above.

I hate to burst your bubble but it doesn't really matter how much it's worth to you, it's what will the market bring? You can charge anything you want but if no one is willing to pay then you may as well be asking yourself, "How much do I enjoy this without getting paid"?

[ssim]

I have pretty much quit contributing to those posts. I also realize that those that are asking the question have a valid request but tend to think that this place is going to provide a quick answer without having to work too hard themselves on hunting down what their local market is charging. Randy is correct, it is the market that will dictate what the user will get for this.

Someone in upper Bolivia (as an example) posts a question that a local business wants to buy his picture. What value is it to say what it would go for in Los Angeles, London or Toronto. Virtually none, imo. Those asking what they should charge for their first wedding can quite easily find prices on those very quickly. Google is an amazing tool.

Having said that there will continue to be these questions and if those that wish to answer them should do so in a manner that will actually help the poster. Once they get an answer the thread will pass and we can do it all over again. There is not much sense in flaming the poster for asking and I have seen that done here many a time.

I understand the OP's need to post this. It should be said every now and then. I have seen the same question posted by different members just a couple of hours apart. There seems to be an overall tendency to not search and to not refer to the the stickies. Some of the questions are so common sense that if they sat back and reflected on it they would get their own answer.

[Ledrak]

I hate to burst your bubble but it doesn't really matter how much it's worth to you, it's what will the market bring? You can charge anything you want but if no one is willing to pay then you may as well be asking yourself, "How much do I enjoy this without getting paid"?
True... but what I was actually trying to get at with that statement was, if the photo is worth $200 to you, then why not try to get $200 for it instead of going on a forum and asking how much do I charge for this?

[Ledrak]

I have pretty much quit contributing to those posts. I also realize that those that are asking the question have a valid request but tend to think that this place is going to provide a quick answer without having to work too hard themselves on hunting down what their local market is charging. Randy is correct, it is the market that will dictate what the user will get for this.

Someone in upper Bolivia (as an example) posts a question that a local business wants to buy his picture. What value is it to say what it would go for in Los Angeles, London or Toronto. Virtually none, imo. Those asking what they should charge for their first wedding can quite easily find prices on those very quickly. Google is an amazing tool.

Having said that there will continue to be these questions and if those that wish to answer them should do so in a manner that will actually help the poster. Once they get an answer the thread will pass and we can do it all over again. There is not much sense in flaming the poster for asking and I have seen that done here many a time.

I understand the OP's need to post this. It should be said every now and then. I have seen the same question posted by different members just a couple of hours apart. There seems to be an overall tendency to not search and to not refer to the the stickies. Some of the questions are so common sense that if they sat back and reflected on it they would get their own answer.
I totally agree. And my reasoning for posting this thread was never in any attempt to flame anyone, but merely to address an issue that continually repeats itself on the forum, and one that people really should be able to answer on their own.

[Gary_Evans]

There seems to be an overall tendency to not search and to not refer to the the stickies. Some of the questions are so common sense that if they sat back and reflected on it they would get their own answer.

Aint that the truth!

[Stocky]

If those posts bother you the you could always just not read them...

[jcolman]

http://fretnot.net/upload/uploaded/images/kitten4.psd

[lbeck]

If those posts bother you the you could always just not read them...

I'm with stocky on this one. Why read and complain about it, just dont look at it. Or maybe you have lots of time on your hands?

[Fade2]

Why ask, why why why?
People need to know.
Some new photogs were not born with price guides in their crib.

If you can help then help!
If not keep going.
Just that simple. :confused:

Have you ever asked for any advice?

[Ledrak]

I'm with stocky on this one. Why read and complain about it, just dont look at it. Or maybe you have lots of time on your hands?
It's kind of hard not to look at them when nearly every other post manages to slip the price question in at the end.

[lbeck]

It's kind of hard not to look at them when nearly every other post manages to slip the price question in at the end.


I can agree with that.

[Ledrak]

Have you ever asked for any advice?
I ask for advice, but I also know how to use the search function. It's when I can't find the answer to my question by reading and searching the forums that I then ask. When I see that my question has been answered 100 times over already, I don't have to re-ask it. Not to mention there's a sticky about pricing.

Correction... make that (2) stickies about pricing.

[DanteCaspian]

People do not know how to do market research other then ask a forum perhaps?

[Black Dots]

Agreed, I hate it when people use online forums to do things like ask questions or get information. I mean the posts take up so much space, and I know I'm required to read each one, so it's a real time killer. God, what is wrong with people?!?!?

[SBCmetroguy]

Excuse me, but how much should I charge for photos? Thanks in advance!!

[Black Dots]

Excuse me, but how much should I charge for photos? Thanks in advance!!


HA! :D

[hommedars]

Excuse me, but how much should I charge for photos? Thanks in advance!!

$25 for the small ones, $50 for the big ones. If they are flower pictures, double that.

Hope that helps.

[Black Dots]

$25 for the small ones, $50 for the big ones. If they are flower pictures, double that.

Hope that helps.

Also, be sure to demand payment in Euro for 8x10s.