Getting off the ground

[modemanual]

I'm starting to get into the business of things, i have had some parents approach me at games, rehearsals and other events saying they want to buy off my images.

http://omgitsacamera.smugmug.com/

Do you think the prices I set are fair? Any other tips on starting up?

Thanks

also: i just got emails from a parent asking if she could have a dvd of images for the bands website? any ideas?

[Dermit]

modemanual,

If they are coming to you to ask to buy that is great. That means you are getting something they can't which is huge. But, don't give it away. When you first start in this business the usual path is to offer it cheap since you need to build your portfolio and attract customers. But, you already have them coming to you so you can skip the real cheap part. In my opinion your prices are way too cheap. Try this excercise... list everything it takes to create an 8x10 end product image... here's some that come to mind.

Good quality gear to start with. Camera body, lens, memory card.
Computer, hard drive, software.
Time. Time for the shoot, time for download, time for post process, time to order print, pick up print.
Shipping or gas to pick it up.
Cost of print from the lab.
Cost to deliver print, gas, time, etc.
Continued education, books, etc.

If an 8x10 costs me $2 from the lab and I charge $3 I WILL lose money. Because what is not figured in is all the things listed above, as well as other things I am sure I have forgot. Every print you sell should cover all your expenses plus pay for your time.

If you want to make $20/hour and you spend 15 minutes post processing an image for an 8x10 then that's $5 for that time to add on to the price of the print.... you get the idea. Don't give it away unless you want to not make any money at it, or worse yet, lose money doing it.

[mrbeagle]

also figure how many 8x10's someone will actually buy. One, maybe two or three? Charge $30-50 for a finished 8x10.

[August 15 Photography]

I somewhat agree with mrbeagle however, there is a fine line between making a nice profit and charging too much to where they wont buy. There are not a lot of parents out there that are going to pay $50.00 for a picture of little Jimmy running to first base. On the other hand you do need to make a profit and have it be worth your time. You have to find that happy medium of your value and what people are willing to pay.

[Dermit]

Most successful photography businesses I know charge$25 to $40 for an 8x10. On the surface it may feel like a steep price but when you factor it all in it's right in line with what it costs to do business and get paid for the work you do and you WILL get that price if you honestly are good at getting something that most people can not get due to gear and skill. Yes, a shot of Jimmy running to first base might not be a winner for selling a print, but a shot of Jimmy sliding into home with dust flying and the ball coming into the catcher with enough clarity to count the threads on the ball and see the grimmace on Jimmy's face would defintely sell at that price. It's all about getting what they can't. And if you can't get what they can't as well then there is no market and you are right, no one will buy a thing from you... most likely even for $5.

[modemanual]

Good quality gear to start with. Camera body, lens, memory card.

Canon EOS 350D, 70-200 2.8L IS USM most of the time, SanDisk Ultra II 2GB x4

Computer, hard drive, software.

Apple iMac 20" Intel Core 2 Duo with a 250GB Western Digital External Hard Drive and running Apple Aperture

Time. Time for the shoot, time for download, time for post process, time to order print, pick up print.

For the shoot: usually the entire time + a little earlier or later.
Post Process: Usually about ~3-5 hours.

I am only 14 years old, and usually the only one with this type of equipment on site, everyday. I usually take the bus to school in the morning, and an all year pass costs ~380, and sometimes I have my parents drive me home, so ill have to factor in the gas. Also as mentioned in my last post; a parent asked if she could have a dvd of pictures from this gallery:
http://omgitsacamera.smugmug.com/gallery/3726030

so she could post these pictures on this site:

http://bearcatbands.org/gallery2/v/Pictures/

should i send a dvd with low-res watermarked pictures, make her pay for each image, link to my gallery, or have her pay for a download on my smugmug?

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

[Dermit]

I typically weigh in what the imags are to used for. Personally if I take it upon myself to take shots at a school event and someone like yearbook staff, or school web master wants images simply to display to show the events/happenings of the school I do not charge for this. Now if the parent wants the images so they can print and hang them on the wall at home, or personal use, then I charge. I try to help out schools and charitable organizations where I can by either not charging or chariging very little.

[modemanual]

Ah ok, thanks.

Yay, got my first 13.79 from a teacher who ordered a mug and a 4x6!

[bigjon0107]

I agree, your prices are on the very low end. I know making like $3 on one order sounds like a lot....but with thousands in gear, your time, talent...its really nothing.

Also, just as a tip, you may want to edit your football galleries so that you can not download the images . Also, set some prices that are not at cost in those.

[modemanual]

I totally forgot about those galleries. Fixing right now.