It's Christmas, call it a gift. It will pay in the long run.
As much as I like making a few bucks off my photography, I do not charge "family", and that goes down the family tree aways. If you feel that you are being taken advantage of I'd leave the camera at home when attending family events. As for these most recent that you questioned: give 'em away...
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 another situation, we would have to know more about the nature of any agreement made at the time of shooting.
This is different. It's
your family. The price should be zero.
They are family! Just email them which ones each wants. Eat the ISP minutes fee and electricity used fee.
cinnamonb wrote:
If it is not family, say a neighbor asks me to do senior pictures or
a family photo, I am charging $40. This price includes giving them
a memory stick with all the unedited pictures on it. If they want
me to edit a few of the good photos, it is an extra $10. This price
is relatively low compared to many "professional" photographers
that I know. One of my photographer friend charges $175 for the
sitting fee. Right now, I do not feel I am worth that kind of money
(yet).
br If it is not family, say a neighbor asks me to... (
show quote)
If you're not worthy of even a minimally professional rate,
then don't charge anything. The lower rates are a form of
self deprecation. Maybe you should pay your neighbors a
fee for modeling for you ! "Half price" means "half baked"
product. Even if you're not fully baked, no reason to use
price to quantify your shortcomings. Seriously, if you want
a nice "thank you" beyond the verbal kind, ask something
that your neighbor would be glad, or even proud, to "pay".
Do they bake a mean cake ? Do you need a dog sitter, or
dog walker ? The informal cashless alternate economy is
a real feel-good way to go !
`
`
Firat of all, I really AM a professional. That means a full
time, "own your own house and two cars" income from
photography. My sister asked me to alter my vacation
schedule to do a job in a very inconvenient location [in
Manhattan, and I live 150 miles upstate] for a cause
that she cares greatly about. I had to put up with some
obstructionists in the staff of venue, etc etc ... IOW, all
the usual hassles. I delivered great variety of about 120
frames, flawless, ready to use in print and online.
She covered all my expenses and I doubt the venue did
that for her :-( Acoarst I charge her ZERO. I don't need
to ask the forum the value of what I delivered cuz it's
no mystery to me. Honest value, expenses aside, would
be $600 .... or double, there's more variables involved
than are worth the space on this page.
What price, professional services ? What is the client
paying for ? Top items are availability and reliability.
Those are THE top items. That defines professional
service. And those 2 things are toadally uninvolved
in shooting for your neighbors etc etc.
`
I have never charged Family, but I may change my thinking on this now that I do more selling of my work. My brother-in-law has a auto repair, he's not free for my car, and an Aunt has a grocery, no free food there. I'm retired from my "day job" and what I sell keep my hobby affordable. I just made some Christmas cards for my Sister and she paid the cost even though I did not ask, but that does not by the lens, lights, backdrops and other studio equipment I need because before I got to old I shot auto racing and did not need inside stuff. I called the four people in our family that own their own business and they seemed to agree that Family is Family and business is business and one should never be a burden on the other.
Family? Be flattered that the wanted them and give free. Do you really want to make a few bucks off them?
User ID wrote:
`
Firat of all, I really AM a professional. That means a full
time, "own your own house and two cars" income from
photography. My sister asked me to alter my vacation
schedule to do a job in a very inconvenient location [in
Manhattan, and I live 150 miles upstate] for a cause
that she cares greatly about. I had to put up with some
obstructionists in the staff of venue, etc etc ... IOW, all
the usual hassles. I delivered great variety of about 120
frames, flawless, ready to use in print and online.
She covered all my expenses and I doubt the venue did
that for her :-( Acoarst I charge her ZERO. I don't need
to ask the forum the value of what I delivered cuz it's
no mystery to me. Honest value, expenses aside, would
be $600 .... or double, there's more variables involved
than are worth the space on this page.
What price, professional services ? What is the client
paying for ? Top items are availability and reliability.
Those are THE top items. That defines professional
service. And those 2 things are toadally uninvolved
in shooting for your neighbors etc etc.
`
` br br br Firat of all, I really AM a... (
show quote)
Your posts are hard to read the way you present them. A paragraph can have multiple sentences. You almost have to work at leaving on or 2 words on one the then begin a new line. Presentation is everything when trying to make a point.
User ID wrote:
`
Firat of all, I really AM a professional. That means a full
time, "own your own house and two cars" income from
photography. My sister asked me to alter my vacation
schedule to do a job in a very inconvenient location [in
Manhattan, and I live 150 miles upstate] for a cause
that she cares greatly about. I had to put up with some
obstructionists in the staff of venue, etc etc ... IOW, all
the usual hassles. I delivered great variety of about 120
frames, flawless, ready to use in print and online.
She covered all my expenses and I doubt the venue did
that for her :-( Acoarst I charge her ZERO. I don't need
to ask the forum the value of what I delivered cuz it's
no mystery to me. Honest value, expenses aside, would
be $600 .... or double, there's more variables involved
than are worth the space on this page.
What price, professional services ? What is the client
paying for ? Top items are availability and reliability.
Those are THE top items. That defines professional
service. And those 2 things are toadally uninvolved
in shooting for your neighbors etc etc.
`
` br br br Firat of all, I really AM a... (
show quote)
Wow....add hero to your title. What is your trade name?
rehess
Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
AzPicLady wrote:
May I ask all of you a question? (I'm not asking this to indicate I'm either for or against the way this conversation is going.) If you ran a store and a member of your family came in to purchase an item. Would you give it to them for free?
Another question: How far does "family" go? Your brother? Your mother? Your kid? Your son's cousin's mother-in-law?
Another question: Does it make a difference if you're giving them something that costs you about $1.50 and a few hours of work (like a disc burned) versus 100 8x10's mounted and matted that would cost a LOT more?
May I ask all of you a question? (I'm not asking ... (
show quote)
I don't charge my family for my computer expertise; my brother-in-law doesn't charge for his knowledge of Oriental languages. Once the photos have been taken, putting them somewhere in the cloud is essentially costless - even less than letting someone take a cup of coffee from the store you own.
You gotta pay for Christmas/Holiday presents! Here's a great idea for presents.
Your holiday gift list just got easier!
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