Venturing out!

[bacaproductions]

So a friend of mine showed the recent baby Valentines day baby shoot that I posted earlier today to a co-worker and now that co-worker wants to hire me to take pix of her child and she says she has friends who have young children who she will refer me too. This is my dilemma. I have not charged anyone for anything up to now and I'm having a problem as to where to start for this. I know I need to put a value/worth on my work but am I good enough to charge??? Do I just charge a flat rate and them individual sizes with a price sheet? Any ideas on where to start, I'm at a loss. Also what labs do you all use. I almost said no to this gal b/c I'm a little nervous. But my hubby says I have to start saying YES! So I did

Thanks for your feedback

[island_girl1]

Linda, I use Mpix and just LOVE them!

Don't charge a flat fee. You could lose money.

8x10's $25-$30
5x7's $15-$20
4x6's I'd say $6
4 wallets $5

Don't forget your non refundable retainer fee/deposit, $50-$75

If this all works out for you, and things take off, you may want to invest in this. http://www.amazon.com/Business-Legal...0&sr=8-2-spell

[tabithamccorkle]

Tina's plan is the same that I recommend and use. And I think that your work is definitely worth charging for. I had the same dilema last year when I started charging and came to the realization....

If you don't think your work is good, then noone else will.

Good luck! I can't wait to hear how things work out.

[bacaproductions]

Thank you ladies, I appreciate your help. The co-worker's little girl go sick so the mommy is waiting for her to get well. I will keep you posted

[celticmama36]

It sounds like things are taking off pretty good for you, Linda. I am so glad! Sorry that I haven't been around. School is eating all of my time grrr.

I have counselled a friend of mine down in Oz on the pricing of her photography by using a method used in the art world...pricing by the square inch to get the base price for the a la carte part of the price list. Then, there are the package prices, showing what is included in the package as well as what those prints would cost if bought outside of the package deal. There is a sitting fee/deposit/retainer for all sessions, one that you would be happy with if they made no order whatsoever.

If you're wanting to encourage package sales, I think this is a good way to go and of course, you're free to offer discounts as you see fit, too. It is good for them to compare pkg price to a la carte because they see right there that the pkg deal is better for them. And you know that it is better for you because you have, for example, the $200 sale vs a $50 sale.

It is working pretty good for my friend down under.