What price is fair for digital pictures?
Dec 4, 2018 12:42:23 #
Jfendley wrote:
I have been ask to bring my camera to some wedding... (show quote)
I do the same at various events for family and friends. But this was not the case they came prepared knowing the price of the prints. I just wanted to know what to charge those who just want digital that’s all. In addition our family(my siblings on down are almost 100 strong not including cousins and friends) No ones home will hold us.
Dec 4, 2018 12:46:33 #
rmalarz wrote:
My rates for family is free. Very close friends just have to cover the cost of printing. What this collective group adds to my life is far more valuable.
--Bob
--Bob
Dec 4, 2018 12:48:58 #
lovelylyn wrote:
I set up my backdrop, lights and camera in my suite where we all stayed and I extended the offer in advance. They came color coordinated ready for family Christmas pictures. I’m not trying to sell the pictures I took during our dinner and fellowship time just the pics they sat for. I do small jobs like setting up at events and sell prints on site, head shots and family pictures. I have a small studio in my home. I do this very part time.
You are on your own. While I do shoot family pictures at events, they are catch as catch can. I would not set up a mini studio at a family function. Primarily because family members compare notes. I do not want to hear about cousin Tina's family looking better than Bob's and why couldn't I do the same for Bob???!!! I can't just say tat Bob's family is ugly!
Dec 4, 2018 12:50:01 #
lovelylyn wrote:
I took pictures at our family thanksgiving for those wanting family or individual Christmas pictures. (They turned out great). I didn’t charge a sitting fee just the price of any prints they order. Some have asked to purchase digital copies. I’ve never sold digital files before so not sure what to charge. What is the going rate?
A few things to consider:
Usage rights: Personal use for social media, Personal use for printing, Business one time use (or scope limited use), Business time-limited usage, Business unlimited usage
Resolution: Social Media scale vs. Sized for specific print sizes vs. Full Size
Your time: hourly or day rate plus expenses
Distribution cost: CD? USB flash drive? Email? Text message? Web post?
I would highly advise against giving away any digital files. I would highly advise against selling any raw files. Finished, processed, retouched, color-adjusted images should be JPEGs in sRGB color space.
The hardest thing to do is to separate the VALUE of your work from physical entities (i.e.; prints). Your photography time, post-processing time, equipment costs, and risk of failure all come into play. In a business, you would have to add overhead — taxes, power, Internet, phone, rent, hardware and software, insurance, wages/salaries/benefits, marketing, PPA dues, transportation, etc. etc.
In an age when smartphones are in most folks' pockets or purses, it's imperative that you put a respectable price on your work, especially when a digital file is all a client wants.
When it comes right down to it, I charge $10 for social media scale images (1024 pixels on the long side). I charge $25 for a formatted layout of different sized images, ready to print on 8x10 (3000 pixels on the long side). I charge $20 for a "1-up" full size, properly finished, ready to print image. Prices should include conversion from raw files, pose editing, color adjustment, cropping, retouching, and any other embellishment.
Those prices are for family usage only. I don't charge for a one-off favor for a family member here and there. But in your case, with 100+ folks, I would hope no one expects free images! You were working.
Dec 4, 2018 12:57:04 #
Dec 4, 2018 12:59:01 #
lovelylyn wrote:
I set up my backdrop, lights and camera in my suite where we all stayed and I extended the offer in advance. They came color coordinated ready for family Christmas pictures. I’m not trying to sell the pictures I took during our dinner and fellowship time just the pics they sat for. I do small jobs like setting up at events and sell prints on site, head shots and family pictures. I have a small studio in my home. I do this very part time.
OK. I disagree but that is me. You are finding a number of others tend to disagree too but to each our own opinions. For me personally, the experience I gain while shooting family photos would be payment enough. I wish you luck.
Dennis
Dec 4, 2018 13:01:56 #
lovelylyn wrote:
I took pictures at our family thanksgiving for those wanting family or individual Christmas pictures. (They turned out great). I didn’t charge a sitting fee just the price of any prints they order. Some have asked to purchase digital copies. I’ve never sold digital files before so not sure what to charge. What is the going rate?
As others have stated, family and friends are free. This includes prints I can do myself and CDs I burn and give to family/ friends. It's ridiculously Scrooge-like to charge family.
Dec 4, 2018 13:06:57 #
family is give and take, its understandable that you shouldnt be out of pocket for prints and framing but just digital files ... Families trade gift and services all the time usually termed helping each other out, sometimes you are ahead and sometimes behind. Families do stuff for each other, not limited to recommendations to other people who will pay for the service.
It will have its rewards.
It will have its rewards.
Dec 4, 2018 13:11:10 #
blackest wrote:
<snip>It will have its rewards.
And, as with anything family related, its costs. But the rewards should outweigh them.
Dec 4, 2018 13:23:01 #
rmalarz wrote:
My rates for family is free. Very close friends just have to cover the cost of printing. What this collective group adds to my life is far more valuable.
--Bob
--Bob
Dec 4, 2018 13:40:46 #
No charge for family. If they want digital images, just give them for free. Consider them Christmas gifts. I'd never charge family for family pictures.
Dec 4, 2018 23:06:32 #
I'm lucky if I get a chance to photograph family. My youngest child won't even let me, and we are a scattered bunch. Get togethers are few and far between.
I do gain experience and have some great, rewarding memories captured. Consider yourself blessed.
I do gain experience and have some great, rewarding memories captured. Consider yourself blessed.
Dec 5, 2018 05:41:04 #
Dec 5, 2018 06:29:55 #
I wouldn't charge except for actual costs. I can't afford sending framed prints except to my children, but anyone can order one at cost.. But digital files i would and have provided freely. It's not like anyone will sell them and make money.
Dec 5, 2018 06:34:27 #
lovelylyn wrote:
I took pictures at our family thanksgiving for those wanting family or individual Christmas pictures. (They turned out great). I didn’t charge a sitting fee just the price of any prints they order. Some have asked to purchase digital copies. I’ve never sold digital files before so not sure what to charge. What is the going rate?
In my world, you do not charge family if you take pictures. No matter what they say it should be gifted. Did your parents charge you for food etc?
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