Just starting out

Hi there,
You might want to try and include a proof book of 15-20 4x6 prints in your price. Would make a nice addition. Take a look at WHCC website....
I would also suggest having a package for sale, so that you can control print quality. You want your work to be represented in the most asthetic manner. If they go to walmart and print it on a glossy paper.... and then show that to family and friends... it would be a poor representation.

You want the end result to look professional... to increase your chances of repeat business. In your area, on-location photography is at a premium. Check out the "professional photographers assiociation" in your area and see websites for new ideas and to see what the going rates are. You will start at the bottom end of the scale, and to get started, you can offer a "grand opening" discount.. that way your prices will be posted, but a discount will be available for a specified period of time. Then you won't have to worry about explaining price increases in the future.... You simply indicate that the "special" expired on XXX date. Does that make sense?

FrankC, I'm going to have to take more time reading the directions at Costco.

I think the option to select what goes on the back of the print & the "No corrections" is right at the end, Dave. It wasn't easy to find.

Do you know what kind of printing system is there? I assume you use a printer profile to match it.

---Bob Gross---

Thank you so much for your help. Great advice!

Do you currently use Photo shop or (I think it's called) CS2 for touch ups?

N

I do hobby portraits and base my prices around what the good local photoshop here charges. Sometimes I charge a higher "sitting fee" and give the customer a cost per print. They choose prints until the sitting fee is used up, they usually buy a lot more.

Bob, they use Lustre finish on Fuji Crystal Archive and have a Noritsu 3101 printer. The ICC profiles can be downloaded from Drycreekphoto.com.
Here are a couple links I found:
Costco San Francisco switches to Noritsu
This guy gangs his 8X10 & business cards on a 12X18" print

I usually upload print files to their site & the prints are always ready at 9AM, even though they say they need 'till 2PM. They also email me when the prints are done, too.

Most of my corrections are from RAW in RSE. I use PS7 for the rest.

I've just recently had some 12"x18" prints made at Costco, and I was very impressed. I certainly recommend them for people to try.

PhotosGuy - have you ever used Costco to print larger than 12"x18"? I know they do 2 poster sized prints up to 20"x30". I'm just wondering is it the same paper they print on or some other paper.

Sorry, no I haven't. I'm picking up a 12x18 30% crop of the R/C boats today to see how it holds up. If I remember I'll ask.

I almost wish i lived in America. Seems like people are crazy about wanting photos of their kids etc. I could probably earn a tiny bit of extra cash there. Here people are too economical and cheap...lol