How much to charge....?

Ok, So I am just starting out... Literally and was approached by someone to shoot their son's senior picture outdoors blah blah blah. Do I charge a sitting fee? Hourly? How should I do this? I think that this women is a friend and maybe co-worker of my wife. Should I take this under consideration? I realize that these answers may have been given hundreds of times already but maybe once more? Many thanks!

If she was not pleased with the portraits, would it affect your wife's work experience? Something to consider. I turned down some shoots with my wife's coworkers for that reason.

Most portrait companies charge a fee for the shoot, then allow prints to be purchased separately either in a package or a la carte.

But remember that if you are charging, you are required to collect and remit sales tax.

Ok, so what would a good price be for a sitting fee keeping in mind you are just starting out?

I know about the sales and uses tax stuff...

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #14635153
If she was not pleased with the portraits, would it affect your wife's work experience? Something to consider. I turned down some shoots with my wife's coworkers for that reason.

Most portrait companies charge a fee for the shoot, then allow prints to be purchased separately either in a package or a la carte.

But remember that if you are charging, you are required to collect and remit sales tax.

Good Ole thomas campbell lol


I agree with Thomas, you could ruin your wifes relationship with this person if something went south. Are you a company? Have you done senior portraits before? Has she looked at your work?

If you feel the need to make a buck off of this then make sure you get what you need, but also make sure both parties know what they are getting into.

Well, I am not a company. I think it is more two people helping each other out.

jsnoah wrote in post #14635191
Ok, so what would a good price be for a sitting fee keeping in mind you are just starting out?

I know about the sales and uses tax stuff...

how much are you worth? Have you ever charged before? Maybe just ask for the money to cover your gas and get a burger....If you are just starting out then keep that in mind. The only way to climb the ladder is to start from the ground up.

This is true... I have shot for a friend's machine mfg company. Came to about $50/hr but that was a bigger business and their bread and butter is in the pictures I was taking... Brochures and web and stuff. Maybe since I am newer to the protraits and stuff start light and use as a portfolio building experience thing?

Oh and I didn't answer James' question... I am worth MEEEELLIONS and MEEEELLIONS of dollars...

jsnoah wrote in post #14635237
This is true... I have shot for a friend's machine mfg company. Came to about $50/hr but that was a bigger business and their bread and butter is in the pictures I was taking... Brochures and web and stuff. Maybe since I am newer to the protraits and stuff start light and use as a portfolio building experience thing?

use this to build your portfolio... i have been doing this for 3 years and am still building my portfolio :P

jsnoah wrote in post #14635241
Oh and I didn't answer James' question... I am worth MEEEELLIONS and MEEEELLIONS of dollars...

lol

a few things to remember,

do not face her in direct harsh sunlight, go out to shoot when you have about 1.5 hours left in daylight.

Watch out for items behind her/him you do not want trees, pipes, other things growing out of their heads.

search for images that you like and do not be afraid to try and re-create them

=] hope this helps!

James, I thank you very much for your insight and hints. I hope to get something worthy of a yearbook or whatever the images end up being for. Thanks again!

jsnoah wrote in post #14635406
James, I thank you very much for your insight and hints. I hope to get something worthy of a yearbook or whatever the images end up being for. Thanks again!

no problem, that is what this community is for! =] post your pictures when you are done!