Package pricing only, no session fees... opinions

gonzogolf wrote in post #16063492
I think you'll have a tough time getting people to cough up $850 before they've seen a single image from the session.

I would think so too esp with the other options people offer that's why I'm trying to figure out how the people i see pull it off, b/c they are good, but not really any better than the others I see, so it's not like they are standouts "you cant get this anywhere else type thing".

What do you guys think about pricing online. is there anyone who doesnt give full pricing until someone comes in to talk?

veritasimg wrote in post #16063483
To me, portrait/wedding photography is a luxury service. It's like you walk into a BMW Store knowing you want to buy a 3-series or whatever. You have a budget. But you also have discretionary budget increase for items that you really like (M Package, Audio package, sport rims, Super Duper iDrive etc...).

There are multitude of ways on pricing strategy. My principle is irregardless which one you do, make it easy for your potential clients to spend money. Help them spend money. People don't mind spending money on good works.

It doesn't matter how much the other person charges. What matters is how much you need to KTLO for your business.


*Keep The Lights On

This is a good point here and what I am also trying to consider with this is "what's the easiest way for me to get people to spend the average sale amount I want"

Basically that's what we did with martial arts: we need to make x amount per student a month and we said "what's the easiest way to do this with the least amount of selling".

I see people complain about doing a whole session and the person doesnt buy b/c of the price (even though they knew it in advance) and that kinda scares me. Although the only argument you can make in that case is the work was not good enough I guess I'm not sure.

I carefully read all the objections adn complaints about stuff like that on here and think through it.

abbypanda wrote in post #16063501
I would think so too esp with the other options people offer that's why I'm trying to figure out how the people i see pull it off, b/c they are good, but not really any better than the others I see, so it's not like they are standouts "you cant get this anywhere else type thing".

What do you guys think about pricing online. is there anyone who doesnt give full pricing until someone comes in to talk?

The people that I have seen that pull off a similar method seem to do it by establishing themselves as the "must have" product within a certain market. I have friends with young children that are falling all over themselves to have a certain local photographer shoot their children. I've seen the work, its good, but its nothing that special. But somehow this photographer has become a status symbol among the social group of mothers.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16063492
I think you'll have a tough time getting people to cough up $850 before they've seen a single image from the session.

When starting out, definitely.

With an extremely strong portfolio and an established reputation, perhaps not.

Good points again and this brings me to my other observation:

seems most when getting started start by just doing the session and all files for like $100 or whatever.... basically being the photographer everyone on here complains about.

But I'm not sure how else one might 'get started' then without doing that. Everyone says "dont start cheap", but it seems that's the way to start. A lot of my questions are revolved around an attempt to not do that. But more and more it seems like that might be the way, and as you grow raise hte price and find higher and higher end markets/ clients

abbypanda wrote in post #16063557
Good points again and this brings me to my other observation:

seems most when getting started start by just doing the session and all files for like $100 or whatever.... basically being the photographer everyone on here complains about.

But I'm not sure how else one might 'get started' then without doing that. Everyone says "dont start cheap", but it seems that's the way to start. A lot of my questions are revolved around an attempt to not do that. But more and more it seems like that might be the way, and as you grow raise hte price and find higher and higher end markets/ clients

You cant be the photographer they want you to be. You cant initially charge what the other photographers think you should be worth. Dont worry too much about what others think of your method as they are more worried about themselves than you. Obviously you dont want to underprice yourself, but without an established portfolio and market you cant start at the top end.

abbypanda wrote in post #16063557
Good points again and this brings me to my other observation:

seems most when getting started start by just doing the session and all files for like $100 or whatever.... basically being the photographer everyone on here complains about.

But I'm not sure how else one might 'get started' then without doing that. Everyone says "dont start cheap", but it seems that's the way to start. A lot of my questions are revolved around an attempt to not do that. But more and more it seems like that might be the way, and as you grow raise hte price and find higher and higher end markets/ clients

People will pay for something that of value. Service that is outstanding. But people mostly pay more because of exclusivity. So what is your key differentiators?
What sets you apart from the sea of local photographers. When you start low, you will have a tough time going up. When you have to use price as your only value proposition, the only way to go is down.

veritasimg wrote in post #16064474
People will pay for something that of value. Service that is outstanding. But people mostly pay more because of exclusivity. So what is your key differentiators?
What sets you apart from the sea of local photographers. When you start low, you will have a tough time going up. When you have to use price as your only value proposition, the only way to go is down.

Yes I agree with this wholeheartedly, we did this at the gym, it makes all the difference in what you can charge.

I am working on my key differentiators in photography, namely im working on pets as there is really no one in any surrounding area focusing on it. There are not too many I've seen focusing on kids and I have a session idea in particular I've never seen.

With that said, the folks I saw charging the large prices, there was nothing on their site that made them standout. It just said "newborn" photography. No awards, no particular session info or product. Usually people are quick to point out: I offer this and you cant get it anywhere else, so that is one reason I am still trying to figure out how they pull off the large pricing b/c I saw no key differentiators. I want to point out I'm not slamming anyone, I think all fo the people I've referenced do really good work. I'm just stating I didnt see marketing message that "set them apart" that made me think "ok this is how they are getting the price".

I am also trying to think of way to package product with it to make the package as a whole stand out... I have plenty of time, and have gotten some good suggestions here thus far.

I do the package rates, and find every client loves having a print after the shoot. Always get that "WOW" once they see the big 30x20 print of their favorite shot. By saying what you include and what extras they get, makes them feel they will be getting more and as such more likely to book a shoot.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #16065366
I do the package rates, and find every client loves having a print after the shoot. Always get that "WOW" once they see the big 30x20 print of their favorite shot. By saying what you include and what extras they get, makes them feel they will be getting more and as such more likely to book a shoot.

Yes this is exactly my point, by packaging product iwth service you can charge more, and it's a simplified sales process to the client.
Another reason is I'm really conflicted on what too offer b/c i truly feel if you offer too much it can confuse people.

Mind if I ask about what you charge?

Do you have any objections up front if people see the price and say oh wow why's it so much more?

Do you just cover it with "you get this print and this product worth . . . amount" or anything special?

abbypanda wrote in post #16065476
Yes this is exactly my point, by packaging product iwth service you can charge more, and it's a simplified sales process to the client.
Another reason is I'm really conflicted on what too offer b/c i truly feel if you offer too much it can confuse people.

Mind if I ask about what you charge?

Do you have any objections up front if people see the price and say oh wow why's it so much more?

Do you just cover it with "you get this print and this product worth . . . amount" or anything special?

My pricing and description are on my site. I outline what they get, service wise, and product wise. I also mention what other things I can offer, and based off what the client wants, I can give a quote for that.

abbypanda wrote in post #16063397
syclarac, when you raised your session to that price did you face any objection to price? how did you overcome it?

I never really raised the price all that much. I started high. I think there are a lot of family photographers that are between $100-$150 range. Too many! Then you are sure to compete for the same bargain hunter client base. So that's why I started at $250 from the beginning. First month or so, I gave 20% off portfolio discount, after about 6 months, I raised to $300. I think this level of session fee really helps me get the right type of client who values photography & loves to buy big digital packages & big canvas wraps.

It was here on the forums that I learned to never start with a cheap price and then try to raise price & have to find new set of clients, which I think helped me a lot of headache. Especially if you have been in the business for a while and everyone knows you are a $100 photographer, how are you going to suddenly charge double or triple, right? So I think it is important to start high & build client base in your price range.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #16066784
My pricing and description are on my site. I outline what they get, service wise, and product wise. I also mention what other things I can offer, and based off what the client wants, I can give a quote for that.

I saw it thank you.

syclarac wrote in post #16066805
I never really raised the price all that much. I started high. I think there are a lot of family photographers that are between $100-$150 range. Too many! Then you are sure to compete for the same bargain hunter client base. So that's why I started at $250 from the beginning. First month or so, I gave 20% off portfolio discount, after about 6 months, I raised to $300. I think this level of session fee really helps me get the right type of client who values photography & loves to buy big digital packages & big canvas wraps.

It was here on the forums that I learned to never start with a cheap price and then try to raise price & have to find new set of clients, which I think helped me a lot of headache. Especially if you have been in the business for a while and everyone knows you are a $100 photographer, how are you going to suddenly charge double or triple, right? So I think it is important to start high & build client base in your price range.

Thanks for the info. This is what I'd like to do. In all honesty when we opened the gym we had a cheap market many years ago. We went through a transition where we (I hate to say it like this but to be blunt) got rid of bad customers and moved on... and we did it again probably a year or so ago. Overall was a positive step every time but a headache.

With my photography I'd rather start with the right market which is why I'm really taking my time, building my site and not doing much advertising until I'm ready. With that said I'm doing reasonable priced shoots for close friends and members of the gym who seek me out based on my work (not ppl I market to but at the same time they see my pics on fb, etc and ask). I dont want to attract a bunch of people I dont know though into low priced shoots or "free shoots" to build a portfolio. I have 2 upcoming workshops, 1 for kids and 1 for babies this year that are centered around a lot of opportunities to shoot models and stuff.. the kids one i think had kid models from gap and stuff... and i figured that's the best way to continue to build a professional portfolio without giving away free work to do so. After I complete the workshops, which will be towards the end of the year, I will be ready to launch my direct advertising. Until then I'm figuring out what I want to do.

Just today I nailed down some of teh most wanted pieces parents buy for newborns, and I want to create an all inclusive package for those pieces I think.

Thanks for all the help thus far.

Although I haven't tried your idea of just offering a single package that covers everything, I would have my doubts about it working. Mainly because not everyone wants or needs the same thing. By creating one single package, you'll narrow down your market and potentially miss out on jobs....and as a photographer making a living from photography, the last thing I would want to do is to miss out on jobs that would create additional income.