What would you pay for an all-inclusive photography session?

[Ladybug]

Give me a range. What price would push you in,what price would push you out? There are a lot of inexpensive studio options, and camera technology has exploded and become more affordable. A session would include the time shooting on-site and editing, uploading a range of printing sizes under a private account with mpix (or something of that sort) with unlimited printing rights. I don't want to give editing rights (RAW) photos because I want to market my own style/brand. How do you value it?

[SoonerTexan]

I think it depends on your reputation a lot. I'm willing to pay more for someone who has a proven reputation vs someone brand new. I'd view $150 as a good starting point for someone with your skill but no reputation and I would quickly increase that to $300+ as you built a portfolio. $400-$500 seems to be what a lot of the established photographers are charging in my area for what you want to offer.

Also, it seems many are going back to prints vs files (or making you pay dearly for the files) now. I don't really blame them. Have you thought about mini sessions?

FWIW, I would adore having a session done by you. Your work is incredible.

[MrsK]

Honestly, I look for someone starting out who will give me an edited cd and reproduction rights. I get the kids photographed often and send lots of prints to relatives so I cannot pay a lot per session.

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[Vanquisher]

I'd rather have files than prints too. $150-$250 tops.

[SoonerTexan]

http://www.stacyreeves.com/photographers-pricing-guide/

Check out this pricing guide. This woman is fantastic. She is a highly successful Dallas area photographer who is an amazing businesswoman as well. She and her husband actually moved to Paris and she started a business doing photography for tourists there. Her Instagram feed is droolworthy.

Don't forget about sales tax too. You need to set yourself up as a business and remit the tax to the state every quarter. If you don't charge that on top of the session, you take it out of the set price you offer.

[Ladybug]

Thanks, guys . This is helpful. I consider myself a confident person, but this makes me break out in a cold sweat. I have a year off of work to at least try... I can always close shop and "go back to work". I'm surprised at my self doubt. The prints vs files is a hard thing, ST. I'd love to hear more about your own experience and pearls of wisdom.

[MsSassyBaskets]

Depending on the length of the session and number of final files provided, I could see paying anywhere from $100 (shorter session with fewer final shots) to $300 (full/family session). I can understand photographers charging $500 for a longer session but I don't think I would pay it. I definitely prefer files with printing rights to buying prints. I would never trust a photographer to hold on to the files in case I wanted more prints later (sorry, I know you would be trustworthy but you just can't guarantee that of others).

ETA: this is from a training budget perspective.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Full newborn sessions (including maternity) will run you $1,000 here for someone good. Minis $200-300 and general session (20-25 images) $750.

But it's top top top work (I get it for like Christmas, anniversary, and birthday combined). She speaks at conferences and is very well known.

And that's for digital files (all pricing above).

[MrsK]

Full newborn sessions (including maternity) will run you $1,000 here for someone good. Minis $200-300 and general session (20-25 images) $750.

But it's top top top work (I get it for like Christmas, anniversary, and birthday combined). She speaks at conferences and is very well known.

And that's for digital files (all pricing above).

I pay about $40 for 20 minute mini sessions (which is about all the boys can stand) with 10 edited images on disk with reproduction rights.

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[lovelight]

I was going to say $150 as well. I personally wouldn't pay higher, but we are on a fixed residency budget. MrsK, I a WISH we could find $40 mini sessions around here! Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.


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[oceanchild]

When we were looking recently (and we still haven't made a commitment here), $100-$150 seemed manageable and $250 started getting scary. Which isn't to say we wouldn't pay the $250, it was just about where we started to think twice. We want the digital files, but only getting the edited ones is fine.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

She just jacked her pricing. We probably won't use her again but I've literally been saving my pennies (and truly putting every 2014 gift towards it) for an anniversary shoot (5 years in October!). It is super super pricey but it's pretty much the only thing I care to spend money on.

I haven't bought non maternity clothes since 2011 but I will drop $$ on photos. Doesn't hurt that both my parents love them and will help me pay for them.

I will say though that semi-experienced photogs here are charging 150-200 for minis at a minimum. Apparently the market can bear it.

[Thirteen]

"The" infant photographer here charges $375 for 30 min., 10-12 prints, and no reproduction rights or CD. It's too rich for my blood.

We found someone to do his Baek-il pictures (and a family photo session) for less than $200. 2 hours, multiple wardrobe changes, our preferred location, CD rom, and reproduction rights.


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[alotofyarn]

How long would the session be? I paid $200 for my maternity shoot, which was one hour with two outfits, with edited images in an online gallery to print, download, and share. I'd potentially pay more for a really well-known, reputable photographer.

[diggitydot]

What would you pay for an all-inclusive photography session?

Our photographer charges $100 for 30 minute mini sessions and that includes the ability to choose which pics we want edited, 7-10 fully edited pics, print rights, and everything put on a CD.

A full session with her is 2 hours long, $650, and includes our choices of which ones we want edited, 35-40 fully edited pics, print rights, everything on CD, and several hard prints (including a 14"x11" canvas).

She's actually pretty cheap for our area and does FABULOUS work. I hate having my pic taken, but she helps me hate it slightly less.