q. on rates

Christopher Steven b · 28th of May 2009 (Thu)

I realize a lot more details are required for a well directed response to be possible; but..

..I was wondering if it was wise, from a business perspective, to list my rates openly? meaning: as it is now, prospective clients see my rates before giving me the details of the job for which they might hire me. I do mostly event work and obviously these details can vary dramatically from client to client.

thanks a lot.

James Robert Gratiot · 29th of May 2009 (Fri)

Christopher:

Without knowing specifics, I would keep your rates to yourself. This gives you much more power when it comes to negotiation.

If you feel the need to give some information, you could give a minimum price... which will keep you from getting lowballed (providing that you stick to this price, that is).

Good luck,
James Robert Gratiot

5x5 photography · 29th of May 2009 (Fri)

It is hard to bid a job without knowing the specifics.
I would not try to have a blanket rate but price work per job.

Karl Johnston · 29th of May 2009 (Fri)

Keep your prices and rates to yourself; sometimes the cost goes up depending on the job. Say joe-blow wants a print ...I figure out what it would cost to ship to him, then adjust the price accordingly. If my site says "50.00$" for a print, then joe-blow comes back to me blowing steam because he figured it would be 50.00...then there is taxes too.

tim · 29th of May 2009 (Fri)

I list my wellington wedding photography prices on my website. I get many positive comments about it, and very very few lowballers.

noxcuses1 · 29th of May 2009 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

I list my wellington wedding photography prices on my website. I get many positive comments about it, and very very few lowballers.

Tim, I like how you have that set up. I was wondering about this:

Quote:

All photos are available in color, black and white, or sepia.

Do you provide all up front? Or do you let the customer tell you which pics they want in B&W or sepia after they view them?

Wilt · 29th of May 2009 (Fri)

'It depends' ...upon the nature of your business. If you run a portrait studio, your sitting fees are your sitting fees and your print prices are your print prices.
OTOH, if you do commercial work, the fee charge is dependent upon the USAGE of the photos...and a single shoot might result in not only the shooting fee, but the usage rights for up to a certain volume of brochures, usage rights for a different number of ads placed in media, etc.

tfizzle · 29th of May 2009 (Fri)

I have print "prices" on my website if people want to order from galleries as a personal picture.

If I need to do a photoshoot that is not just "portraits" on location then I ask them to talk to me about rates, the equipment needed, time, etc.

28th of May 2009 (Thu)	#1
Christopher Steven b Goldmember Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 2,196 IMAGE EDITING OK	q. on rates I realize a lot more details are required for a well directed response to be possible; but.. ..I was wondering if it was wise, from a business perspective, to list my rates openly? meaning: as it is now, prospective clients see my rates before giving me the details of the job for which they might hire me. I do mostly event work and obviously these details can vary dramatically from client to client. thanks a lot. __________________ christopher steven b. - Ottawa Wedding Photographer Ottawa Wedding Photography Site \| Ottawa Wedding Photographer Blog

29th of May 2009 (Fri)	#2
James Robert Gratiot Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 104	Re: q. on rates Christopher: Without knowing specifics, I would keep your rates to yourself. This gives you much more power when it comes to negotiation. If you feel the need to give some information, you could give a minimum price... which will keep you from getting lowballed (providing that you stick to this price, that is). Good luck, James Robert Gratiot __________________ Photo Marketing Blog: www.photomarketingmagic.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @PhotographyProf

29th of May 2009 (Fri)	#3
5x5 photography Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,139 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: q. on rates It is hard to bid a job without knowing the specifics. I would not try to have a blanket rate but price work per job. __________________ Website Matter Of Fact Art Facebook

29th of May 2009 (Fri)	#4
Karl Johnston Rare exception that I didn't say anything stupid" Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canadian Arctic Posts: 9,020	Re: q. on rates Keep your prices and rates to yourself; sometimes the cost goes up depending on the job. Say joe-blow wants a print ...I figure out what it would cost to ship to him, then adjust the price accordingly. If my site says "50.00$" for a print, then joe-blow comes back to me blowing steam because he figured it would be 50.00...then there is taxes too. __________________ Adventure The Canadian Arctic With Me Canadian Features Editor of Let's Be Wild Adventure Magazine

29th of May 2009 (Fri)	#5
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 47,935 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: q. on rates I list my wellington wedding photography prices on my website. I get many positive comments about it, and very very few lowballers. __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

29th of May 2009 (Fri)	#7
Wilt Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: California Posts: 30,892 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: q. on rates 'It depends' ...upon the nature of your business. If you run a portrait studio, your sitting fees are your sitting fees and your print prices are your print prices. OTOH, if you do commercial work, the fee charge is dependent upon the USAGE of the photos...and a single shoot might result in not only the shooting fee, but the usage rights for up to a certain volume of brochures, usage rights for a different number of ads placed in media, etc. __________________ Canon dSLR system, Olympus OM 35mm system, Bronica ETRSi 645 system, Horseman LS 4x5 system, Metz flashes, Dynalite studio lighting, and too many accessories to mention Keep POTN alive and well with member support http://photography-on-the.net/forum/donate.php

29th of May 2009 (Fri)	#8
tfizzle Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 788	Re: q. on rates I have print "prices" on my website if people want to order from galleries as a personal picture. If I need to do a photoshoot that is not just "portraits" on location then I ask them to talk to me about rates, the equipment needed, time, etc.

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