Senior High Graduation photos...how much should I charge?

Although I have been hired (asked) in the past to do event and portrait photography, I've always done it for whatever the client (friend, aquaintance, etc) was willing to offer or trade (the best so far has been for 2 box seat Texas Ranger tickets)!! Now that my co-workers at the hospital have seen some examples of my work, I'm being asked more and more to take photos for them. I'm still an amature with no studio, but it consumes a good deal of the (very small amount of) free time I have...and I'm growing tired of doing this as a favor. I'd like to make enough money doing this on the side to justify upgrading/growing my equipment!!

I'd like to know if any "pros" here could give me an idea of what kind of fee they would charge for an outdoor location graduation photo shoot. I'm not concerned with the prices for prints or packages...just the actual shoot itself. Once I complete any necessary PP in CS2, I plan on simply burning the photos onto DVD and letting the client take them to be re-sized and printed.

Also, I want to start getting credit for my work. If I watermark the photos with my name, will a photo lab refuse to print them without a signed release from me?? I realize I'm not "Olin Mills"...but I'd still like my name to appear on my intellectual property.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

only you know what your time is worth. I can say that most parents would not balk at a $350.00 senior portrait package in most middle income areas.

that doesnt mean you can get that for your product though. you need to allow the expense of the prints, and the fact that you have no studio options.

as for the photolab refusing the prints, i am not sure. most small labs would not refuse... that is more a "pro lab" type thing in this area.

Hard to say, but if i was in your situation, i might just go with an hourly type rate.

I suggest that you put them online instead & let them order prints. Keep in mind that, if they take it to the local drugstore & get a crappy print, it's YOUR crappy work they'll be showing their friends!

In my area, senior portrait photograhers still follow the old school marketing system of charging low "sitting fees" and then selling expensive prints. As Frank mentions, the danger is that the client will have cheap, lousy prints made and be unhappy with YOU. I think you should give them one good print to show them the quality level possible.

One of the more intriguing ways to price your products is to do it "a la carte". Allow them to choose which images, which sizes, which options, etc. I'm favoring this plan for my business.

I agree completely with PhotosGuy. You do not want to have poor prints made of your work. You are getting work now based on the quality of your images and I assume prints. poor prints can make a great image look crappy.