How much to charge?

[scorpio_e]

I am working with a hot air balloonist doing engagement sessions. I show up about 6:30 ..shoot the launch of the balloons and then ride in the chase vehicle for the landing.They arrive back to the launch site about 8pm for wine and cheese.

I did the first one for free to show the owner that I can produce quality results. So tonight I got a call from a prospective client and quoted him $100 which I think is on the low side for a shoot and burn. Well the guy tried to get me down in price and then said..I got to go and will call back. Of course he will not call back.

The engagement balloon ride is $600. Am I quoting to high?

My original thought was I should get some wedding clients from doing these engagement sessions.

Thoughts?

[Tony_Stark]

Im confused what the $600 means here...

You did 1 session for free so the client and get a feel for what you do; understandable. Were any photos purchased after the fact?

For the $100 that you quoted the client, what exactly did he/she want to get done?

Sorry for all the questions, just a little confused with whats going on here.

[scorpio_e]

An engagement balloon ride is $600 and charged by the guy who owns the balloon.

For $100 I shoot the client setting up the balloon..taking off..Landing and then some pose images.
The client receives a disk.

Thanks for the questions

[scorpio_e]

You did 1 session for free so the client and get a feel for what you do; understandable. Were any photos purchased after the fact?

The hot air balloonist will get images for his website. I will be the featured photographer on his site for engagement photography.

The first client will get a disk of edited images for his use. I doubt any images will be purchased.

[RangersForever]

It's a tough one but I'd probably do the next 5 or so for free and use it as a way to...

1. Build a reputation with the balloon company so you can start charging in the future.

2. Use it as a way to sell the ballooners on your wedding services. Even bring along a sample album, price list and of course give them your business card.

[tim]

If you can produce great results then $100 is too cheap. Figure an hour up there, an hour travel there and back with overheads like gear prep, and an hour post. $30 an hour isn't awful if you're doing a job for 8 hours, but for an hour at a time, nah, I wouldn't bother.

[mikeassk]

I wouldn't do anything like that for less that 300$

Odds are they will find anyone to do it for 100$, either be that person or go shoot something else thats more worth your time.

[RangersForever]

Originally Posted by mikeassk

I wouldn't do anything like that for less that 300$

Odds are they will find anyone to do it for 100$, either be that person or go shoot something else thats more worth your time.

I think that's a shame and perhaps a bit of bigger picture thinking here could see the OP land some more wedding clients, build his reputation both in weddings and at the balloon center and it could, if done correctly, provide a launch pad for his business. Worth a hard think about anyway because it would be a shame if the OP forfeited on the above for the sake of a few hundred bucks.

[mikeassk]

Originally Posted by RangersForever

I think that's a shame and perhaps a bit of bigger picture thinking here could see the OP land some more wedding clients, build his reputation both in weddings and at the balloon center and it could, if done correctly, provide a launch pad for his business. Worth a hard think about anyway because it would be a shame if the OP forfeited on the above for the sake of a few hundred bucks.

Good call,

I glanced his post and after re-reading it I saw his last sentence.

"My original thought was I should get some wedding clients from doing these engagement sessions."

I still think 100 is really low. 150-200, its worth it.

[Red Tie Photography]

Why dont you work with the guy that does the balloon and have him include it in a package. $600 for a balloon ride, $750 (I think its too low, but you decide) for a balloon ride and a photographer. Have him pay you directly, and make sure it is worth it for him (provide photos and maybe something else he may want).

[CameraMan]

This sounds like a cool idea. But I really don't know what your prep time is for something like this. What do you normally charge to do just regular engagement photos? That's what I'd charge for this.

Hooking up with the balloon guy is also a great idea.

[nicksan]

Is your involvement with the client separate from the balloon company's?
Or are you going through the balloon company? It's not entirely clear.
$100 for what essentially is a 2 hour e-session is too cheap. I would be charging at least $250-$300. The problem here is that the couple is already spending $600 just for the balloon ride, so adding about $250-$300 on top of that is probably too much money to shell out for an e-session, despite the fact that it would be a memorable one.

If you think you can generate weddings out of these clients, then perhaps it's worth a try. I wouldn't do it for free though because if you don't get any clients, then you just gave away your work for nothing. Just make sure what you negotiate with the clients afterwards is completely separate with the balloon company.

[scorpio_e]

Originally Posted by nicksan

Is your involvement with the client separate from the balloon company's?
Or are you going through the balloon company? It's not entirely clear.
$100 for what essentially is a 2 hour e-session is too cheap. I would be charging at least $250-$300. The problem here is that the couple is already spending $600 just for the balloon ride, so adding about $250-$300 on top of that is probably too much money to shell out for an e-session, despite the fact that it would be a memorable one.

If you think you can generate weddings out of these clients, then perhaps it's worth a try. I wouldn't do it for free though because if you don't get any clients, then you just gave away your work for nothing. Just make sure what you negotiate with the clients afterwards is completely separate with the balloon company.

Nick you are pretty much spot on.
I am not working through the balloon company. The balloon company is sending referrals my way and sent one referral already. The balloon company wants to promote me as an engagement photographer on his websie. He will post my website information and a slide show from an engagement session. He LOVED the first one I did.

Nick you hit it right on the head. The guy spent $600 already and adding another $150 is a pretty big expense.

My thinking is to go in cheap and attempt up-sell.. Maybe an engagement book-slide show. Maybe limit the number of images to 25 and try to sell prints or additional digital downloads.

I did have a blast on the first one. It was fun watching them fill the hot air balloons and riding in the chase car..Free champagne and cheese was a nice bonus too .

Of course the first FREE one I did had a photographer already booked for the wedding. or he was lying *L*

[cpam.pix]

Originally Posted by Red Tie Photography

Why dont you work with the guy that does the balloon and have him include it in a package. $600 for a balloon ride, $750 (I think its too low, but you decide) for a balloon ride and a photographer. Have him pay you directly, and make sure it is worth it for him (provide photos and maybe something else he may want).

This is the way to go. Subcontract to the balloon operator for about $150 and give him photos for his advertising. He now charges $750 for the e-rides and you get to give them a wedding business card. You can offer a $150 "discount" or "photo credit" if they book your wedding services...if you want to.

[2ndshooter]

You could also charge $150, but say that $100 of that is good towards prints. (Don't give them a disk)

Then the client can justify to himself that he is only 'really' paying $50, while you should be able to make over $100 profit.