Print Prices

[maranelloboy05]

I just got an email from a 360 Spider owner who wants to get together and do a photoshoot. I have a ExpsoureManager site but I really don't know what to charge him for prints. I charge $28 for a 20x30 for track day pictures now, I was thinking $35 to $40 for the same size for a photoshoot, do you think that is too much? I will not charge him to do the actual shoot and since he would be the only person to buy prints of his car the prices should be higher than pictures from a track day, is that right?

Thanks

[PhotosGuy]

Only you can decide what to charge, but here's what I posted in another thread:

I think you're way under priced & will end up doing two things:
You'll forever establish your price at $20 a shoot.
You'll end up making about $5 an hour. The kid who says "Do you want fries with that?" will make more than you do. Plus he gets a free lunch.
There are only about 20 minutes in some evenings when the light is "Just right"! (See the link).Learn how to use it & don't sell anything that doesn't meet your standards as a GREAT shot, or you'll become just another "wannabe snapshooter". That doesn't mean that you can't take other shots before that. It just means if you're going to sell them, you need to reserve that particular time window for a paying customer.
BTW, my prices below are low. I'd never charge a commercial client that price.

Most of the car guys here are retired & unlikely to pay a "proper" price for a shot to put on their wall because,
1. They are living on retirement money.
2. They spend all their "extra" money on their cars and,
3. They have a ton of pics already, most of which they got for $20. You should try to upgrade yourself from that $20 category.

I don't sell small prints, only 12" X 18" prints of one view for $150. An extra $50 for each anything other than a simple gradient in the background.
Some shots of Jim's '68 AMX (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=393917)

They sign a property release & the invoice shows my © info & spells out what they can use the image for (Nothing but their wall or personal website).
I repeat, I don't sell 4X6", 5X7", 8X10" prints for less. One price. Take it or leave it.
In a very few cases (3) I've given away a 4X6" print just to "chum the pool". When offered money for them I turn it down telling them, "I can choose to give a print away, but I don't cut my already low prices for any reason. In fact, next year they will be higher because I'm getting more work than I want." ;)

[maranelloboy05]

Thanks for the reply, I just feel that if I up my prices I am asking for more than my talent is worth, I am not trying to undersell myself but I am no pro and I wouldn't expect people to pay pro prices for my work, at least not yet. I have no problem offering smaller prints since I have the ability. I guess I can up my prices and if they sell great if not, then they don't. Thanks for the advice.

[PhotosGuy]

but I am no pro and I wouldn't expect people to pay pro prices for my work, at least not yet. Trust me on this: $150 is only about 10% of Detroit "Pro prices" for just one shot! ;) I repeat, I don't sell 4X6", 5X7", 8X10" prints for less. One price. Take it or leave it. Forgot to mention: I do throw in 4X6" proofs & give them a CD of web images & printable files for their own personal use. Most of these guys have a Costco membership, so I profile the prints for them & caution them about printing anywhere else.

[maranelloboy05]

That is my main concern is him being able to go off and just print them himself, I guess you really can't stop it.

[dinanm3atl]

So he wants a shoot for his car?

You are way under priced and I agree with PhotoGuy on this one.

I charge 125 dollars for a 1hr shoot. Customer will get 5-10 shots in proof version to choose a large print(normally 24x36). So for 125 they get a poster print and a 1hr shoot.

If they want a photo CD it is another 50 dollars.


PG - I sent you an email.