Just getting started...part time...

[Jonrobinson]

Hey everyone. I tried searching on this before posting b/c I know this has been talked into the ground. I found some guidelines but no solid answer.

My wife and I want to start taking photos for pay as a side job. I would appreciate it if some of you would look at our page and give honest feed back on a good starting price.

Our target market is people who can not afford or are not willing to pay for studio photography. We will be looking to do: B'days, casual portraits, events (not weddings), etc.

The price would include editing and a CD of images at full resolution.

Our web page is: http://youcalltheshots.zenfolio.com (http://youcalltheshots.zenfolio.com/)

I am thinking between $50 - $75 for casual portraits.
Probably the same for birthdays.

We are just getting started and live in a relatively small community. I know there is a lady in town already doing B'days for $125. That gets 2 hours of her time, editing and a CD of images.

Thanks for your time and feedback!

Jonrobinson

[nicksan]

In your opinion, how are you compared to your competition in terms of quality of your photos?

I checked out your Zenfolio, and I think they look decent enough IMO so I'd say go for it...

[Jonrobinson]

Nick-

No one else in my area, except the lady doing the b'days for $125, is really doing what I am proposing. Sure, there are plenty of studio photographers, but they are much higher than what I was thinking. Also there work is more professional so it commands a higher price.

Does $75 seem too much for what I am proposing with my quality of work?

Thanks!

Jonrobinson

[zelseman]

$75 is extremely low. Possibly not for your area, but I live in a town of 1500 and go to college in a town of ~15,000 and you are WAY low for both.

I only charge a small sitting fee to cover my expenses to get there(on location). Then, I either make a profit on my print sales or sell them a cd for significantly more money.

[Jonrobinson]

Yeah. I know $75 seems extremely low. I am just unsure if my work is worth more than that. Even if I am editing and giving away all the images on a CD.

That is why I would like honest feedback on what my skill level seems to be worth taking into account editing and all images included.

Thanks!

[wyofizz]

Figure out how much time it is going to take to do the gig, process the photos and deliver. Then decide if it is worth your time and wear and tear on your gear.

Dave

[Mike R]

Yeah. I know $75 seems extremely low. I am just unsure if my work is worth more than that. Even if I am editing and giving away all the images on a CD.

That is why I would like honest feedback on what my skill level seems to be worth taking into account editing and all images included.

Thanks!

YOU need to believe your work is as good or better than others. If you don't believe it, how can you expect others to?

Go for it!
BTW: Remove the word "SEMI" on your site, just use "Professional"

[Jonrobinson]

Thanks Mike and everyone else for the feedback. If someone thinks $75 seems like too much please be honest and let me know.

Thanks!

Jonrobinson

[nicksan]

I think the photos on your zenfolio are good enough.
$75 sounds kind of low, but I suppose which market you are in.
Plus the fact that there is one competitor in your area charging $125 for similar work/quality hampers your effort.

You need to figure out what you can do to differentiate yourself from that other person. Lowering the price is one way, sure...but perhaps you just need to build things up a little.