Senior Pricing Question

FM Forum Rules
Rules: One new topic per day

FM Forums \| People Photography \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
1 2 end

Archive 2009 · Senior Pricing Question

JayDavis
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · Senior Pricing Question

I am just getting started in the Senior Portrait business and wanted to ask some more experienced photographers in this field a question.

Do you offer ala carte pricing or do you offer package pricing, or both?

Just trying to come up with the best plan possible, obviously.

Thanks in advance.

Sep 07, 2009 at 08:52 PM

Todd Adamson
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · Senior Pricing Question

No packages for me. People like a la carte. I base my sessions on minimum purchase. For example, if I shoot a senior indoors and outdoors (about a 2.5 hour session), the session is $475, up front. They get $400 credit, to spend however they want. So there is a $75 session fee "built in," and it avoids me doing several hours of work to have them only buy 3 or 4 5x7s and scan them.

Sep 07, 2009 at 10:41 PM

Jim Schemel
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · Senior Pricing Question

For my last shoot i charged $120 for the shoot itself, i priced it this way because $120 pays for a full set of inks on my Epson 2400.And then i have set prices for prints
-Jim

Sep 07, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Pfiltz
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · Senior Pricing Question

I don't have pkgs or ala carte

I charge them what I think my time is worth, and based on prints they buy.

Sep 08, 2009 at 12:03 AM

Mel Boonstra
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · Senior Pricing Question

Pfiltz wrote:
I don't have pkgs or ala carte

I charge them what I think my time is worth, and based on prints they buy.

So when a customer calls and asks prices what do you tell them? I charge you what I'm worth? They don't want anything more specific? Also if your price is based off prints they buy you must have a formula or unit price of some sort, so in essence you do sell ala cart? My customers typically do not know what prints they are going to order until they see the proofs =). If I understand you correctly you give no pricing until after session and proofs are presented? My customers would never do this, small town, they want to know exact cost before they book. If you don't mind the question, what is the average amount your customers spend?

Sep 08, 2009 at 12:48 AM

Pfiltz
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · Senior Pricing Question

Mel.

When moms call me, we usually have a lengthy dicsussion. Money is a small part of the discussion. I just tell them my prices run from 300.00 to 600.00.

I tell them that I'm charging them for my eye behind the camera. Working with their seniors on posing. My editing time. And finally Prints. They know they're going to get proofs -vs- online purchasing, or sitting in front of a viewing station, to be pressured to make impulse sales..

Sep 08, 2009 at 12:54 AM

VPell
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · Senior Pricing Question

I have a large feeling it depends on the area you live in.

If you have a lot of serious questions and are looking for more specific answers I'd suggest checking out Digital Wedding Forum. The name implies weddings, but it's got loads of info and photographers with portrait businesses.

Sep 08, 2009 at 12:56 AM

Mel Boonstra
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · Senior Pricing Question

Pfiltz wrote:
Mel.

When moms call me, we usually have a lengthy dicsussion. Money is a small part of the discussion. I just tell them my prices run from 300.00 to 600.00.

I tell them that I'm charging them for my eye behind the camera. Working with their seniors on posing. My editing time. And finally Prints. They know they're going to get proofs -vs- online purchasing, or sitting in front of a viewing station, to be pressured to make impulse sales..

They've usually already have spoken with other Moms about my work, and pricing. So they pick up the phone and call.

Just my take on it. I make it simple for them. I don't like units, or formula's. I don't like sitting fees. They seem to see things the way I do.

As long as they keep calling and coming, I'm good with it.

Makes sense and I really wish I could operate in a similar matter. Unfortunately my area is a very small town and the economy has hit it HARD. I have many calls saying they would love to have me but I am too expensive, and my base package is only $200, which is too little for the work I do. Anyhow I am glad it works for you, wish I could do the same.

Sep 08, 2009 at 01:08 AM

Pfiltz
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · Senior Pricing Question

Mel.

I tried the pkg thing, then ala carte. I never could warm up to it. Nor could my customers. I'm after two things.

More referrals and more of my competitors customers.

Sep 08, 2009 at 01:34 AM

JayDavis
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · Senior Pricing Question

Thanks for the feedback and thoughts of how you price your images.

I'll also go check out that wedding forum for more information.

I am charging a session fee, but right now am only doing ala carte pricing with Zenfolio, an on-line lab. Only have shot one Senior Session so far using them. The mom hasn't purchased anything, yet. Lets hope she does.

Sep 08, 2009 at 02:04 PM

Gunslinger
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · Senior Pricing Question

Sep 08, 2009 at 02:21 PM

Pfiltz
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · Senior Pricing Question

Gun...

I'm a simple fella. I'm not trying to screw my customers, and they understand that. They honestly feel like they're getting a fair price for what they receive from me. Not only in prints, but my overall work ethic.

It works for me, and that's what counts.

Your mileage may vary.

Sep 08, 2009 at 02:27 PM

mkweaver
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · Senior Pricing Question

Per Mel Boonstra: Makes sense and I really wish I could operate in a similar matter. Unfortunately my area is a very small town and the economy has hit it HARD. I have many calls saying they would love to have me but I am too expensive, and my base package is only $200, which is too little for the work I do. Anyhow I am glad it works for you, wish I could do the same.

I can definitely relate to that! My studio in small town, South Texas, also hit hard by economy, had similar aspect. When they had to choose between buying milk for the baby and an 8x10, it pulls on your heart strings. It also makes you choose between selling them an 8x10 for practically cost and buying groceries for your family!

Tough place to do business! My empathies to you and your clients!

Sep 08, 2009 at 02:37 PM

jefferies1
Online
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · Senior Pricing Question

I do a fixed price for a specific number of photos, all retouched and adjusted. After that I offer special prints on canvas, metal, group wall samples etc. Usually square shapes or long rectangles that are unique. It is not a hard sell, its more like you have the 8x10 so why not do something really decorative for your home and give the relatives the basic prints. I even give the finished images on CD. They can make copies for friends if they want. Few have the resources to do anything unique with them. Does not hurt my extra sales and they like having a digital image for facebook etc.

Sep 08, 2009 at 04:39 PM

JayDavis
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · Senior Pricing Question

Thanks for all the replies and tips.

Anyone else care to add anything?

Feel free to do so. I'm trying to learn.

Sep 09, 2009 at 09:47 PM

jefferies1
Online
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · Senior Pricing Question

If you want to make sales Never show your photos from a online order site. You take the image from being something unique and special to just another photo that is worth less money.

Photovision is offering a $4.00, 2CD package that talks about selling and would be worth the price. The CD's seem to be somewhat continued from previous versions but the information is still good. It also had some very basic infomation about outside lighting that many on this forum could learn from also.

Sep 09, 2009 at 10:17 PM

Gianchetta
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · Senior Pricing Question

I went to projection and it increased my sales dramatically from just putting them on an online proofing gallery. It made a lot bigger impact and they seemed to tell more people about it too. Im just getting fed up with all the Uncle toms and harrys that many people are ok using for photos. They think they are going to get killer shots from newbies that claim to be pros and then it back fires on them after the fact. I think that is going to be an ongoing interference to work around unfortunately.

Aug 04, 2010 at 03:38 PM

bill9000
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #18 · Senior Pricing Question

it does vary greatly depending on town size, local economy, your clientele, and the "type" of business you are doing... boutique, or volume, etc.

pricing for one studio in one town might work great, but be terrible for someone else.

Aug 04, 2010 at 05:19 PM

jprezant
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · Senior Pricing Question

Mel Boonstra wrote:
Pfiltz wrote:
Mel.

When moms call me, we usually have a lengthy dicsussion. Money is a small part of the discussion. I just tell them my prices run from 300.00 to 600.00.

I tell them that I'm charging them for my eye behind the camera. Working with their seniors on posing. My editing time. And finally Prints. They know they're going to get proofs -vs- online purchasing, or sitting in front of a viewing station, to be pressured to make impulse sales..

Aug 04, 2010 at 07:24 PM

teppy1
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #20 · Senior Pricing Question

your going to have to go through a season or two to find out what works best for you and the area you are in. I am going into my second season now and am going to be making changes. I still have to be careful to not overprice myself I feel though, and at the same time not let myself get screwed over too. Its going to be a fine line. last year i used photobucket for proofing and they all loved the online proofing. i also gave printed proofs. My mistake was giving too much and assuming that when i selected the option to not allow downloading that no body could take my work. Wrong. I have my own site now and use adobe flash. its very secure. I've also learned how to block downloading without the flash player on my site. Next mistake, not charging any fees. I know Pfiltz does this, but also think that he charges them to take printed proofs out of his studio. Its got to be one way or another because people will go to wal mart and scan and print. I cannot and will not let this happen again. The wal mart scanner and printer would make ansel adams work suck. I'm not sure how i will go about it yet, but i will either go on and charge a session fee, or get money for them to take the printed proofs. I'm leaning more towards the session fee now because people here expect it. That way, i get paid for some of my time right away. I also need to come up with a way to get them to not wait right up until the last minute when they need those wallets to go out in the graduation announcements. They always can't wait to see the proofs, but then they just about all bombarded me at the last minute for orders, some that the shoot was taken three months earlier. It seems like once they feel secure knowing that they have the shots done and ready to order that they will sit on it.

Aug 04, 2010 at 08:22 PM

CMB Photo
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #21 · Senior Pricing Question

http://www.danheller.com/biz-sales.html

http://www.amazon.com/Pricing-Photography-Complete-Assignment-Prices/dp/1581152078

http://betterdigitalphotography.blogspot.com/2005/05/pricing-your-photography.html

Aug 04, 2010 at 08:51 PM

CMB Photo
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #22 · Senior Pricing Question

teppy1 wrote:
your going to have to go through a season or two to find out what works best for you and the area you are in. I am going into my second season now and am going to be making changes. I still have to be careful to not overprice myself I feel though, and at the same time not let myself get screwed over too. Its going to be a fine line. last year i used photobucket for proofing and they all loved the online proofing. i also gave printed proofs. My mistake was giving too much and assuming that when i selected the option to not allow downloading that no body could take my work. Wrong. I have my own site now and use adobe flash. its very secure. I've also learned how to block downloading without the flash player on my site. Next mistake, not charging any fees. I know Pfiltz does this, but also think that he charges them to take printed proofs out of his studio. Its got to be one way or another because people will go to wal mart and scan and print. I cannot and will not let this happen again. The wal mart scanner and printer would make ansel adams work suck. I'm not sure how i will go about it yet, but i will either go on and charge a session fee, or get money for them to take the printed proofs. I'm leaning more towards the session fee now because people here expect it. That way, i get paid for some of my time right away. I also need to come up with a way to get them to not wait right up until the last minute when they need those wallets to go out in the graduation announcements. They always can't wait to see the proofs, but then they just about all bombarded me at the last minute for orders, some that the shoot was taken three months earlier. It seems like once they feel secure knowing that they have the shots done and ready to order that they will sit on it.

Only 100% due before the session fee will work, plus correct marketing (using online tactics) to boost some after-sales. (I've learned that in order to sell big, you gotta show big, that does not always applies to online strategies)

Sometimes I try to go Todd Adamson way of presale a package that applies to further purchases. Selling online, what helps is 10-20% off their order if they buy in first two weeks. (So they don't sit on it)

Aug 04, 2010 at 08:56 PM

TNshooter
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #23 · Senior Pricing Question

jefferies1 wrote:
If you want to make sales Never show your photos from a online order site. You take the image from being something unique and special to just another photo that is worth less money.
.

In my limited experience, you can't just shoot the images, throw them up on a website and expect people to buy them. I purchased a 40 in hdtv, yes it's smaller than I would like but it's what I could afford at the time. But I fully expected it to pay for itself within 3-4 viewings, and guess what? It did. I used to shoot and put them on a website and people had no motivation to pull the trigger. Don't get me wrong, sales is NOT my forte BUT viewing them on a larger scale than someone's personal computer has much more impact and will generate sales. You have to be active about sales and simply posting to a website is way too passive.

good luck,
greg

Edited on Aug 06, 2010 at 07:45 AM · View previous versions

Aug 05, 2010 at 12:11 AM

CMB Photo
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #24 · Senior Pricing Question

TNshooter wrote:
jefferies1 wrote:
If you want to make sales Never show your photos from a online order site. You take the image from being something unique and special to just another photo that is worth less money.
.

In my limited experience, you can't just shoot the images, throw them up on a website and expect people to buy them. I purchased a 40 in hdtv, yes it's smaller than I would like but it's what I could afford at the time. But I fully expected it to pay for itself within 3-4 viewings, and guess what? It did. I used to shoot and put them on a website and people had no motivation to pull the trigger. Don't get me wrong, sales is NOT for forte BUT viewing them on a larger scale than someone's personal computer has much more impact and will generate sales. You have to be active about sales and simply posting to a website is way too passive.

good luck,
greg

so where do you meet with the client? in your studio? your home?

Aug 05, 2010 at 04:35 PM

TNshooter
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #25 · Senior Pricing Question

Our home is our studio and what we have done is turn our dining room into a sample room. We decided that having different sizes and types of prints (standard prints on different paper types, float wraps, gallery wraps, etc.) hanging in our dining room would allow us to not only have "art" on the walls there but also to show clients what they actually look like. We will eventually have different types of groupings as well. Our living room has our family portraits and we host our view and choose in our living room on our big screen. Again, it is an active process. Once the client sees the images in a large format they understand the impact these images will have in their home. One day I plan to have an actual off-site studio but in these tough economic times that is overhead I can't afford. And in spite of the fact that I enjoy working in a studio setting, most people around here are really into location shoots.

Edited on Aug 06, 2010 at 07:46 AM · View previous versions

Aug 05, 2010 at 11:48 PM


FM Forums \| People Photography \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end