- Aug 31, 2001
- 21,294
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I've been a photography hobbyist for a while now, and although I've never done this professionally, I've been getting some inquiries lately on doing engagement and maternity shoots. Also I just shot a wedding as the primary photographer (usually, I'd take pictures as a guest, and some people have commented that they like my pictures more than the pro pictures)
Since I dont have an actual business, a website, or a portfolio, I am not sure how to price myself. Are people asking me to shoot them thinking that I'd do it for dirt cheap? I'm sure that's the case, but I'd want to make this worth my time. But also I'd like to retain these inquiries as clients and build up my portfolio.
Here are some sample pics I have taken in the past. Based on these pictures, what do you think my skill is worth? I was thinking of pricing myself at $200 for 2 hrs or $350 for the whole day (which would include 2 shoots with a wardrobe change) for a recent family/engagement shoot inquiry (shoot would be in nyc)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/297338_10150268780941841_2750517_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1026253_10151407061766841_761473861_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/300390_10150268782031841_7512849_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/297455_10150268784146841_1593548_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/300617_10150268784396841_1463699_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/295751_10150268781951841_1901738_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/883782_10151292605396841_1639796823_o.jpg
All above were shot either as wedding guests or for free for friends and family. This following picture is from the wedding I just shot recently as the main photog. Since this was a small low budget wedding, and the couple is a friend of mine, I didn't charge them for it. But I don't think I'd want to do events for free anymore. I was drained by the end of the night.
Since I dont have an actual business, a website, or a portfolio, I am not sure how to price myself. Are people asking me to shoot them thinking that I'd do it for dirt cheap? I'm sure that's the case, but I'd want to make this worth my time. But also I'd like to retain these inquiries as clients and build up my portfolio.
Here are some sample pics I have taken in the past. Based on these pictures, what do you think my skill is worth? I was thinking of pricing myself at $200 for 2 hrs or $350 for the whole day (which would include 2 shoots with a wardrobe change) for a recent family/engagement shoot inquiry (shoot would be in nyc)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/297338_10150268780941841_2750517_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1026253_10151407061766841_761473861_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/300390_10150268782031841_7512849_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/297455_10150268784146841_1593548_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/300617_10150268784396841_1463699_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/295751_10150268781951841_1901738_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/883782_10151292605396841_1639796823_o.jpg
All above were shot either as wedding guests or for free for friends and family. This following picture is from the wedding I just shot recently as the main photog. Since this was a small low budget wedding, and the couple is a friend of mine, I didn't charge them for it. But I don't think I'd want to do events for free anymore. I was drained by the end of the night.