mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

This thread makes me think "I'm selling my soul" every time I plug in and keep airplanes from smacking into each other. I'm not making much more (and even less per hour) than some photographers here.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

are you only billing for an hour but staying at work for 8+ at no charge? That is what many photographers do when they say they charge $25 an hour, they only charge for the hour for the session (the time they photograph) they forget about the time it takes to sort, edit and do everything else that is required to run a successful business and have a successful session. The time worked on a session does not stop when I pack my camera back in the bag, it's actually just starting.

mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

Annie to answer your question. No But if they charged $25/hr for all work. How many hours did they put into an hour session including travel, sorting, editing and everything else? Is that 4 hours, 6hrs , 8hrs worth of work? So they charged somewhere in the range of $100 -$200. Not bad if you ask me. If you charge more and get it, good for you! If you were in my shoes for a 40 hr work week you would understand my previous post better. I don't make the $75-300/hour range that has been mentioned.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

A typical session from start to end can take me 14 to 30 hours. Most people don't realize all that goes into making sure your clients get the best possible service/product. I included a list of things that happen for one session, (but I'm sure I missed something).

If I charged by the hour and only for the time I spent taking photos I would be making a whole $2.50/$3.50 an hour.

oh I forgot to put travel time in my spread sheet.

rough idea

mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

I understand. I'd love to see your work.

mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

So if your prices start at about $2200 per session, thats's $151 per hour.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

I charge $350 for a session fee ($150 goes toward a print credit) and my average print order is over $2,100. (does not include hotel room rental, that's an extra at cost charge) BUT (huge but)that does not mean I make $151/hour. I have expenses that need to be paid to keep my studio up and running.

rent on the studio
utilities
cell phone
gas for company car
equipment upkeep
software updates
website hosting fees
etc, etc, etc... there are a lot of hidden fees in running a business.

I also don't work a typical 9-5 Monday to Friday job, and I don't work 40 hours a week, sometimes I put in more sometimes less (March/Feb are BUSY times for me and I will work 60 hours a week).

Patti Hansen Loc: Grand Rapids, MI

Thanks Annie Girl, I am also new to charging for my photography, this is just the information I have been searching for, Many of the photographers in our area do not post pricing, there sites are more of a " this is what I can do" so I have been completely in the dark about competitive pricing.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

I have no problem posting about my pricing. I think this $50 and slap everything on a disk and call it a day is bad for the industry as well as for the photographer that charges that rate. If I can help someone make the move from that business plan (which will only work for a short time by the way) to becoming a successful self supporting business then I'm all for it!

Someone helped me see the light on the cost of doing business and how I was working myself and my family into the poor house charging $100 a session. I wasn't doing myself or my clients any favours. I was working full time at my "real" job and trying to fit in as many sessions as I could on the weekend (6+) and spending my evenings at the computer editing. I was burning out and burning out fast.

Now I take an average of 4 sessions a week and make more than I did for 3 months solid. Yes my experience, knowledge and quailty improved allowing me to charge more but I am also enjoying photography more again and I have time (and money) for personal photography projects which all circle back to helping me improve.

Patti Hansen Loc: Grand Rapids, MI

Someone helped me see the light on the cost of doing business and how I was working myself and my family into the poor house charging $100 a session. I wasn't doing myself or my clients any favours. I was working full time at my "real" job and trying to fit in as many sessions as I could on the weekend (6+) and spending my evenings at the computer editing. I was burning out and burning out fast.

This is the stage I am at! i plan to make photography my"full time" income in 5 years when i retire. I am looking at studio space, better equipment and setting up a professional environment in that space ion time, you have given me inspiration as well as insight! Thanks!

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I understand your point. As an aside, if you are an air traffic controller, let me say thanks. Chances are we have spoken!

Anyway, the hourly rate is very misleading. It is what we make in a YEAR that matters. $1500 for 10 hours work is indeed $150/hr, but if you only do one session a week, that annual $75,000 get eaten up by all the expenses for: printing, insurance, car/fuel, software updates, a new camera every few years, marketing and advertising, camera and liability insurance, health insurance, and don't forget 25-30% for the IRS.

And for photographers that regularly do multiple sessions a week you can add the salary for an assistant/sales person.

A more realistic approach for many would be 2-3 sessions a week and a sales average of $700-$900. The hourly gets down to $60-80/hr real fast and the workload is 3X as great and many expenses are a much bigger percentage of the sale.

You are far FAR better off financially with a full-time job with benefits.

Of course if you want to take a shot at making that $151/hr. You can quit your job tomorrow and go for it.

Ken W Loc: Long Island Ny

For starters, walk into your auto repair shop and the sign on the wall will read $85 to $90 per hour for labor. That does not include parts or diagnostics. For an 8 hour day that works out to be about $700-. Think about that. Ken

Ken W Loc: Long Island Ny

People need to be paid for skilled labor. The Home Depot mentality is destroying your local economy. Ken

mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

Thanks for the explanation Capt. Yes we've talked on the radio. I think we've talked about this before on a past thread.
I plan on quitting within the year (air traffic). I doubt I'll be making $151 per hour though. lol

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

Actually, you have made a "funny". To whit, "If you have travail, charge more !" Absolutely correct, and you may well have, shooting a 6 and an 8 year old.