I started getting paid for photography 2 years ago and here are my tips to go with Ted's. 1. Be or very good at a certain type of photography, or reasonably good and very reliable. 2. It's easier to earn money if you work for companies et cetera (for example, I make pictures for the publications of the city I live in and for the publications of the local university: two very reliant clients. 3. Have a big pair of balls and believe in yourself. If someone is looking for photographers just apply for it and send them an example of your best work. Often, other people's perception of your work is more positive than your own. I was still a photography student when I started applying for fun and it actually worked. 4. It's better to be a tad too expensive than much too cheap. You can always negotiate down, not up.
The Art of Photography Thank you Ted. I would also like to add that I didn't start out as a full time photographer. I was a journalist/copywriter first and I gradually did more and more photography as I got better at it. Being flexible and having a couple of different things to support yourself with always helps as well. If one fails momentarily, you have some other stuff to count on. Still didn't say what kind of money you need to be asking people. Rule number one is: if they say yes immediately, you asked too little (sadly I got this from experience. :p).
Having spent years in the business world, photography aside, I'm surprised by the number of people that really have no idea hat their costs are. Insurance, gas, shipping/mailing, training, ink, batteries, etc all adds up. As with any business a photographer should know exactly what it costs to produce an end item...whether that is a print, a DVD of retouched images or an hour of session work,
I ran a successful photography business for 30 years. Starting out I charged slightly less than the big guns in town. Over the years I raised my prices to as much as them and then more. I had some very large commercial accounts and they never once objected to my pricing. Why would they if they reliably got what they wanted and needed? I did my own processing and printing so everything was always delivered on time. It's easy to set pricing if you know your market and your potential clientele. Do your research.
Nope. Which is why I am in business doing something that pays more money. My job means I can meet all my bills, and do exactly the sorts of photography I do in my spare time for love. I don't have to market myself, which I would have to do if I was a photographer. I hate marketing myself when I am not working. I am a very different person at work to the person I am at home. I don't want to photograph what my employers tell me to. Amateur is a dirty word amongst many photographers, and there is no good reason for it to be. I am proud to be an amateur. I work for love.
I can give you an exception, though. - I have someone in my family who is an artist, he paints, abstract stuff, a nobody really, you wouldn't know his name nor would you be able to really find his work. But he's a really bold person and he's just like "Well, I want this and this, so I'll just ask for it.". Same with the price-tags on his paintings. - And surely, paintings take a lot more effort than a single photo and a print, a lot of hours can go into it like other hand-crafted pieces, but he puts some hefty price-tags on even the smallest canvases. I wouldn't pay that if I had the money, though taste is subjective of course. - Still, he sells them and it's his main income, and all he does is stand on a market once or twice a week. The thing is, he seems to somehow get the attention of people. For example, he's quite a smooth talker, but also a very real talker. So he'll kind of get into people's heads and tell them to have a good look at what they want and they'll often come around and make a purchase or actually come back later. - Besides that there's also rich people who need something for their office or some such thing. Often they want large pieces, which of course cost more. So he's basically just winging it and winning it as well. - Not that I recommend this, but it's not always true that you have to be a well-known artist or have a name to draw in clients or big money. Sometimes you just have to play it smart or aggressive even, and just pretend... A lot of legendary people in anything, from art to music to acting and producing, have just pretended to know what they're doing and gaining experience and success that way. And trust me, many of those people will admit it in interviews as well. Almost every time they'll literally go like "I didn't know what I was doing.". - So, there ya go... Again, an exception. I think he's just lucky to have found a niche and a spot in the world to make a living from, and it's just his way of getting by, not to make a huge business, just to live.
Being perceived as a great or nice or the cheapest (insert title) may drive business to your door but is not the answer for longevity. 1 figure out your fixed (operational)and direct(product) costs 2 are your customers, high end or low end buyers 3 position yourself in the high end or low end market 4 your competitors, what are they doing or not doing. Compete directly or do what they’re not. 5 profit, how much is enough. Got a trust fund or a wealthy significant other, no rent or mortgage, or do you live the bohemian lifestyle,can all be advantages. 6 if you listen to the advice of anyone in the field your interested in. Find out if they’re actually making a living! Not a perceived living. Before taking any advice.
Ted, as always, I really appreciate your insights and opening of dialog on topics like pricing our work. As you were listing costs it struck me that you left off a key cost. I believe that we need to count our time (labor) in the cost column. Profit is what is left after covering all of the costs, including paying yourself, as you would an assistant or model that you may hire. This then brings up the question of "what is my time worth?" One place to start is what are others willing to pay for your time. For this, simply look at the last pay check you got, doing whatever work that was. That employer thought your time was worth something, so should you.
My dad had a small graphics business for many years. He was particular about the jobs he took for the money he saw in doing it. Very rare that he took a job that didn't fit the money needs. As a service tech our first hour of service was 55.00 trip fee and 65.00/hr labor. Truck, travel, managers, phone personel, etc.
You need to define a market - a group of service providers, and the consumer decides if the performance of the lowest cost service is acceptable, or needs to pay more for higher image quality or better service performance.
Very informative video. Talking money always seems so hard. I've only been into my photography hobby for less than a year, but this is an important subject for growth down the road!
unrelated viewer feedback: This new method of mentioning your sponsors works better than the other where you inserted the pre-made plugs. It just flows better this way with the audio/video not changing at all. With the older method, I found myself occasionally skipping through them, but with this free-flowing approach it's very digestible. Thank you for all the great content, Ted and Judy.
I think Judy is saying "Sleep on It!" And I agree with David Meyer when he says your pricing should also take in account the "usage rights and licensing". Many newcomers get fooled in their first contracts. Very nice video Ted. These are subjects that need to be talked about.
Hi Ted. I love the channel, the content, and your style. I always learn something. And the production value seems to go up and up. Many thanks for all that you do.
During my sophomore year of college, I had the opportunity to work at a major concert series with my camera. My neighbor at the time was head of the stagehands union. While setting up for a major Rod Stewart stadium show, he found he was short a few men on the crew, and contacted to see if I'd be willing to work the concert and get paid union wages. It didn't take me long to say yes and I headed to the stadium with a couple of Leica's in hand. As promised; after helping set up the stage, I was given free reign to photograph the concert from the stage. My work drew the attention of the local Warner Brothers PR rep, and I was soon offered a job covering rock concerts in the great lakes region. The gig only lasted a few months, but the experience was priceless. Typical of many photo jobs back in the 70s, one gig led to another. Soon I was a stringer for UPI; which proved to be the jumping off point to a career as a photojournalist. That first big break can come from the most unlikely directions, but you have to be open to the possibilities and willing to take a few chances. Getting established plays a huge roll in how you'll eventually be taken serious in pricing negotiations. When I made the jump to commercial work, I was already an established name in the community. At that point earnning a respectable fee had become a simpler negotiation. Stringers and photojournlist aren't the big money shooters, but they can open some pretty big doors if your open to them.
Important to remember that pricing too "cheap" is also a turn off for many customers, whether or not your portfolio is amazing. Part of perception and price I guess.
When you first start in business you are often coming from earning a low enough income yourself so you price to what you think at the time will be sufficient. What you don't realise is the cost of doing business is higher than you think and you need to pump money back into your business to stay competitive. As a result most people start out too cheap which is a mistake, it's not sustainable. Your pricing structure determines your client demographic. If you are the cheap guy then you fall into the category of bargain hunting clients who probably won't value your service compared to other cheap guys who you could be way better than. Don't market yourself based on price, market based on quality and offering something unique. You can't copy a business and expect the same results. They did it before you and already got established. Focus on presenting yourself as the cool new guy with the slick website and trendy work. Price accordingly and the business will come. Just don't underestimate the amount of money it takes to get there!
There is one thing that doesn't get mentioned too often when it comes to pricing. That is usage rights and licensing. Many photographers leave this aspect out and hurt their own business.
David Meyer Hi David. Do you mean hurting you own business by not charging different rates based on rights and licensing? Or by not specifying what the usage rights are at the time of sale?
Bryan Shay Hi Bryan. Both things are important and I meant both. But even if it's a test / trade shoot and no money changes hands, paperwork (this including usage rights and licences) should be signed.
David Meyer You are right. I am very ignorant about the subject. I’ve watched a ton of online classes and have not heard anyone discuss it that I recall. I’ll have to search it out. Thx for the reminder.
Thanks, that was good. I am freelance photographer and a lot of my income comes from selling art at shows. A lot of other artists are not open to sharing their struggles or successful knowledge
My first sale of my artistic street portrait sold for $250.00 ,I did a lot of free photography covering events ,news stories,plus I had my works both digital paintings and photography in Jared museum shows therefore my price immediately went up and continues to raise ,I only been doing this a year and a half ,I am gaining a great reputation fast,news papers front page ect.,what a first year I m hsving
Your advice for the uninitiated was to "GUESS" what to charge....WTF...One doesn't need to reinvent the wheel here...ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) is a great place to start...for Stock and images produced on spec that will eventually generate income based on USAGE...the program "PhotoQuote" will spit out a price to the penny based on usage parameters such as quantity reproduced, geographic distribution, number of contextual languages the image is embedded in, period of time the license is granted for as well as covering all possible uses regarding which media...print, electronic etc, etc.
Thank you for this. I just started getting customers to photograph and I was unsure of what to charge them. This is the best video I've seen so far and you speak very well, sir.
Thank you so much!! I'm one of those people who seems to put a lot of "discounts" on things. Now I'm not afraid to put a big price on things. Oh and could you be able to sell photos in high school?
Below I am showing am example of how I figure all of my cost to come up with an hourly cost which is certainly not the end all be all. However, if you are a follower of Sue Bryce and watch her videos, especially the Creative Live vids, Sue like so many other photogs are all over the board on how to figure what to charge and how to establish it. Below you will see a list of most of my equipement and expenses, which is broken down into an hourly cost. You will also see that there is 15% added to most items. For example the cost of a camera body goes way down in just a few years. So by added 15% of your purchase, this allows to to purchase a new body that maybe higher or afford you replacement cost should you drop, break or damage something. At the end you see a subtotal along with a total where my profit of 25% is added to come up with $170.75 an hour. If you shoot a weddings and it takes you 12 hrs. of shooting and 12 hours of editing, you times the $170.75 x 24 = $4098 and that would be what you charge your client or what your package price would be. This ensures that ALL of you costs are being covered without ripping people off! So how many weddings would you have to do to pay everything off? Simple, take the 24 hrs (12 shooting and 12 editing and album creation) and divide that by 2080 and that is 87 events. But allow me to be clear, that while you are not going to use every single item on the list at every wedding or shoot, by doing it this way, it becomes merely 2080 billable hrs. that you have made enough money to cover everything on this list like me. Lastly, as you can see, I have a ton of stuff and it adds up to $170.75. If you listen to Sue or (other photogs on what to charge) in other video, she says she charges $500 an hour. Do you see the difference? Don''t engage in price gouging or profiteering like her by increasing prices and doing less as she stated in this video. Be realistic with your pricing! How do I increase then? Well I hire you at say $100 an hour, bill you out at $200 an hour / 2080 = $0.0961 or $0.10 an hour as you would a sub or an employee. I just repeat and add more people and instead of doing Sue's 2 a week for a year (2 x 52 = 104 events), I am now able to do 4 a week. i.e. 208 x 24 hrs (12 shooting & 12 editing & album creation) = 4992 billable hours x $170.75 = $852,384.00 annually. This is how you grow a business and ensure that you are profitable! I pay you a great wage and doubling that, in a year (2080 hrs) now I can afford to hire another to shooter and repeat! Stop thinking and saying "I'm an artist!" You're profession is a photographer, someone who takes images and instead you are a business person! Start thinking like a business person! Bodies Batteries & Grips Nikon D5 - $6,496.95 x 15% = 974.54 + $6496.95 = $7471.49 / 2080 = $3.59 an hour. MK-D5000 Battery Grip - $67.96 x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour. Nikon D850 - $3,296.95 x 15% = $494.54 + $3,296.95 = $3,791.49 / 2080 = $1.82 an hour. Nikon D800 - $2,999.95 x 15% = $449.99 + $2,999.95 = $3,449.94 / 2080 = $1.66 an hour.
MB-D18 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D850 - $67.96 x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour. Nikon D750 - $1,396.95 x 15% = $209.54 + $1,396.95 = $1,606.49 / 2080 = $0.77 an hour. MB-D16 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D750 - $59.46 x 15% = $8.92 + $59.46 = $68.38 / 2080 = $0.03 an hour. Nikon D7200 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour. Nikon D7100 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour. Neewer MB-D15 Battery Grip Replacement for Nikon D7100 - $29.99 x 15% = $4.50 + $29.99 =$34.49 / 2080 = $0.02 an hour. EN-EL15a Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery - $54.95 x 6 = $329.70 x 15% = $49.50 + $329.70 = $379.20 / 2080 = $0.18 an hour. NIKON MH-67P Battery Charger - $49.99 x 3 = $149.97 x 15% = $22.50 + $149.97 = $172.47 / 2080 = $0.08 an hour. Lenses Nikon / NIKKOR - 24MM F/1.8G AF-S ED - $749.95 x 15% = $112.49 + $749.95 = $862.44 / 2080 = $0.41 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 35mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,696.95 x 15% = $254.54 + $1,696.95 = $1,951.49 / 2080 = $0.93 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 50mm F/1.8G AF-S - $216.95 x 15% = $32.54 + $216.95 = $249.49 / 2080 = $0.11 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 85mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,549.00 x 15% = $232.35 + $1,549.00 = $1,781.35 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 24-70mm F/2.8G AF-S - $1,449.00 x 15% = $217.35 + $1,449.00 = $1,666.35 / 2080 = $0.80 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 70-200mm F/2.8G AF-S ED VR II - $2,496.95 x 15% = $374.54 + $2,496.95 = $2,871.49 / 2080 = $1.38 an hour . Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8G Di VC G2 - $1,199.00 x 15% = $179.85 + $1,199.00 = $1,378.85 / 2080 = $0.66 an hour. Speed Lights Nikon SB 910 Speedlight Flash - TTL - 34m - $724.00 x 6 = $4344.00 x 15% = $651.60 + $4344.00 = $4995.60 / 2080 = $2.40 an hour. Strobes PROFOTO B1X TO-GO KIT - $2,095.00 x 6 = $12570.00 x 15% = $1885.50 + $12570.00 = $14455.50 / 2080 = $6.95 an hour . Reflectors Neewer 43-inch/5-in-1 Multi-Disc Reflector -$19.99 x 15% = $3.00 + $19.99 = $22.99 / 2080 = $0.01 an hour . Other PocketWizard PlusX Transceiver - $89.00 x 8 = $712.00 x 15% = $106.80 + $712.00 = $818.80 / 2080 = $0.39 an hour. Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 - $1499.00 x 15% = $224.85 + $1499.00 = $1723.85 / 2080 = $0.82 an hour. Mavic 2 Pro - $1499.00 x 15% = $224.85 + $1499.00 = $1723.85 / 2080 = $0.82 an hour. Associates Model - 4 hr shoot @ $100 an hour = $400 x 35 (shoots per year) = $14000.00 x 15% = $2100.00 + 14000.00 = $16100.00 / 2080 = $7.74 an hour . MUA - 1 hr per shoot @ $100. 00 an hour x 35 (shoots per year) = $3500.00 x 15% = $525.00 + $3500.00 = $4025.00 / 2080 = $1.93 an hour . Photographers - $150,000.00 annually gross / 2080 = $72.11 an hour . Retirement - $2000.00 x 12 = $24,000.00 (annually) / 2080 = $11.53 an hour. Insurance - auto - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour insurance - medical - $300.00 x 12 = $3600.00 / 2080 = $1.73 an hour Studio & Equipment Rent - $1200 x 12 = $14,400.00 x 15% = $2160.00 + $14400.00 = $16560.00 / 2080 = $7.96 an hour. Insurance - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour Utilities (average variable monthly expense) Water & Sewer $55.00 x 12 = $660.00 x 15% = $99.00 + 660.00 = $759.00 / 2080 = $0.36 an hour. Electric $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour. Natural Gas $75.00 x 12 = $900.00 x 15% = $135.00 + $900.00 = $1035.00 / 2080 = $0.50 an hour. Phone - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour. Cable - $80.00 x 12 = $960.00 x 15% = $144.00 + $960.00 = $1104.00 / 2080 = $0.53 an hour. Trash - 50.00 x 12 = $600.00 x 15% = $90.00 + $600.00 = $690.00 / 2080 = $0.33 an hour Computer & Equipment - $2000 x 2 = $4000 x 15% = $600.00 +$4000.00 = $4600.00 = $2.21 an hour. Adobe CC - $9.99 x 12 = $119.88 x 15% = $17.98 + $119.88 = $137.86 / 2080 = $ an hour. Sub Total Overhead listed above $136.60 an hour Profit - 25% x $136.60 = $34.15 + $136.60 = $170.75
the wide shot is with the more expensive camera? or just with a sharper lenses!? Also please don't take this the wrong way. I've been a fan and watching your show for a while. I noticed theres a color shift in this video. Are you using Auto W/B or you have it locked in? Great content! Thanks for sharing!
Eire, unlike the U.S. has absolutely no value on the photographic image. All photographs are free and you can copy an image to your hearts content and use it as you will. I have seen my images in local publications without any payment or credit to me as the photographer. I know this may be off topic but I do feel it is related.
One master photographer told me ones that if you price our prints too low the buyer are gonna think you dont care about your work. So its a nut to crack when it comes to setting the price. At my last exhibition i sat the price after calculating theese factors..Cost and print edition. It turned out to be a little to high for the buyers but at the other hand, i got to show my work. I think people doing photography or art in general are too bus with breaking trough "tomorrow". Dont forget to have fun and that you are doing what you love. And dont forget Kenna who printed 10 years for a well known photographer before he even got his name recognized. Be patient!
For me- i have a weird view on doing an exhibition on my work: A. It seems too narcissistic to my eyes. "Who am I to celebrate my work and make other people come watch it?" People don't really give a shit about your photography...maybe unless you fake it, and you're enthusiastic, so others play along. Even if I have good enough photos, I don't feel I could hang one of them in my own apt. Too weird. Too egocentric. www.flickr.com/photos/eladbari/ B. My images aren't "weird enough" so they could be entitled for an exhibition. It always felt to me like your work HAS to be super weird..unclear...dark...hinting...- to be considered an exhibition-worthy. If it's "just pretty", then what will all the artsy fartsy people talk about inbetween themselves? :] seriously.
Im a bit late on this one, but I'm guessing the expensive camera is a Leica which is into the thousands of pounds/dollers and the cheap camera is one that i think you mention a bit is a fijifilm, retailing at 200 to 300 pounds/dollers.
I'm quite blessed my sister a makeup artist my cousin nail stylist my friend owns a shop and my uncle makes website for a living. I'm just great at networking I'm a no-name no one knows me, but because I have these 4 things setting something up will be a lot cheaper for me for say someone else because of mate/family rates. So i think you should build up a network of people is super important.
i have a japanese friend who told me he doesnt understand why having a friend/family member in a certain profession- enables you [us] to ask them to work for us in a lower rate, cause we know them. He said, it should be the opposite: "You are my brother / good friend/ family member- I love & respect you, and so I want to pay you MORE than you usually charge. It took me a second, and then I realized, this could be a logical reality indeed. Imagine what if your Aunt came to you and asked you to work on a snore-boring project for her that you don't want to, for free/50% off?
A 17 min video giving a photography 101 college answer , covering ....... well, everything you can think of :) Great job by the way , ........ , I commend you !! Here is my "basic" answer to a "basic" question : (1st) ~ My observation after hearing the questions : You may be a beginner & have not been practicing this business endeavor passionately for long. That said, you are new, unknown, have less expense and just trying to get started or beginning to get your name and product out there !! (2nd) ~ Continue your photography passion, building skills 1st, and rank making money, 2nd. If you can really do that you can start profiting at many levels by several methods. a.) Accepting money for your work when someone asks if you would part w/ it, by asking what they might pay for it. I would take what ever the 1st person offers and go up from there !! :) If they insist you set a price, ...... , set it low. At cost ? A minimum profit ? Or , if you can really put money second, ......... , at a small loss to get it out there . For this person , the happier you make them , will spread the word and send much business your way. :) b.) Set up a booth in a week-end fair or flea market and set your prices in the beginning at cost or at a minimum profit. Remember, you own the camera, printer and software already. Don't try to make those money's back immediately but try to pay for your paper, ink, etc.... c.) If you have courage and are outgoing, you could approach a gathering place of business (i.e. restaurants, coffee shop, etc...), pitch your idea to sell from there on certain dates, offer a % of profits or commission and charge a minimum profit in the beginning. Remember : Most businesses fail in the 1st year b/c : a.) passion in a field or craft does not always correlate into money. b.) greed : people charge too much c.) people don't invest enough into their passion, reinvest into their business or continue to hone their skills. You've got the passion anyway , it would be better to take it slow , maybe even loose a little to get your work out & your name affiliated w/ your passion and skills, than to be greedy and have ............ EVEN ONE PERSON W/ A BAD REVIEW ABOUT YOUR WORK, SKILL LEVEL OR PRICE !!! Now ......... my advice on price "basics" :) My preferred photo's are 13x19 and a pack of 20 sheets cost me $28.+. I decided to charge $40. per print to start. This would cover most of the cost of my photo or print paper, ink, maybe a folder for customer carry. I've moved up from there over 4 yrs. I found that people w/ more money actually promote your business through word of mouth where as people w/ less money do not. Always have pride in your work and always , always look for more money as time goes on. Learn not to settle for less b/c of your situation but, decide to let something go for cheap as a gift :) My skills are better and I've found that I sell to a wealthier class of people now. I still let some go cheaply, but, I love photography and don't do it for my livelihood. I charge 3 to 5 times my print price if they are framed. Unless you can buy the glass, mattes and frame them yourself, you would not imagine the cost of having them framed. One last thing : If you do start to make money and the # of your customers grow, by word of mouth or repeat business, you are well on your way to making it a successful business. :) As this happens you will learn, quickly, which people can afford what prices and how to monetize your skills by listening to what your client's needs are. You will also become more fluent in promoting yourself. Soon you will be receiving extravagant amounts of money for your name, skill and subject matter b/c of the clients you choose to cater to. Very soon you will also be spending less time w/ people whom would not satisfy your requirement. If I made this video it would have taken me under 3 min :) Hope this helps,Sincerely .......................
Great vid, but there's one base left to cover (imho) Perceived value vs. inflation vs cost of doing business. A lot of Uncle Bobs with good equipment out there, shooting images well above par and for lunch money or less, have depreciated the perceived value of a good photograph. Sad, but fact. And there's your cost of doing business. In order to stay alive/ afloat, you'd have to make, for arguments sake, $300 every working day. So you can't sell a portrait shoot for less than a hundred bucks or you'll go belly up. Now: Is your photography good enough that the client will cough up the cash with a tears in his eyes when he/ she sees the print? Perhaps, or maybe not. Also, are you a good sales and business person? There are a lot of great photographers out there who couldn't sell sunscreen lotion in a desert, and went belly up. Also, there are bad photographers who have a long lineage of used car salespersons, they can sell anything. They survived. Just my 2 cents.
5:09 I forget who they were, but you've shown some sexy printers, that was a great video, thank you and I hope people continue in what I suspect is a very hard market.
Who is Dan Winters? For what companies has he shot campaigs? Most pro photographers charge way to little. I've found that estimating the absolute most your market will bear, then doubling it is about right. First thing it does is that the price will drive away customers you don't want. The second is that the perception is that you only shoot for elite clients who can afford the very best. If you can't deliver the top quality work your prices imply, maybe you should find another line of work!
Hey Ted, First and foremost, love your videos. They're of great help so many thanks. Now, did you ever find a new place? Heard you had to move due to noise/new construction in and/or around your neighborhood.
OK my question is how much for the actual print ? I have spent say 20$ on the print 35 $ on the framing/ matting . So Im guessing cost 55$ and then to add on say 20/ 30 to the total about that amount would be possibly correct ball park area . starting price . At 1st while no one knows who I am just yet . So your assessment on that feed back please ? Thoughts please !
Hey there Ricardo, I don't know a lot about photography yet but I know a lot about business. Basically your cost is way too high. So you spent 55 on cost which means you spent time printing a photo choosing a frame and framing the print. To cover this cost you'd at least want to charge a percentage on your products as you're onselling them. So lets go something nice like 25% , so then we're up to $73.35. Now you want to say, how long did I spend on this photo? If you took the time to get a special frame and print it and you only did one copy I'm guessing you spent a good hour at the least messing around with this. So lets go a small wage as you said you're just getting started. A minimum of 25 an hour sounds good to me, that means including travel time shopping framing let alone getting out your camera snapping the shot if it's quick and easy and probably if you forgot about editing you might be looking at 3 hours? So I'd say you want to charge $150 So in conclusion if we want to make money; Cost + reasonable percentage (Retail stores can add on 40 percent or higher) Time Charged at Preferred Hourly Rate + Possible Call Out Fee Value = Is it a shot that someone will buy or is it a shot of great value Now starting out as you say no one knows who you are and I know I wouldn't pay that... Unless it did present as great value. So in general i'd decrease cost; Make small prints & buy plain frames - also this way not spending the big bucks and making more photos you can sell to a bigger audience. Lets decrease time next; Choose things you can get multiple shots of, change the angle the light or the background. Then print multiple pictures. Upping the value; The only thing I can say here is don't produce unfinished unedited work. That way no one can ever fault what you do. Or at least this is what people keep saying to me :P Anyway sorry I got sick of half answers and you'd probably lose money just paying for fuel at 75 bucks these days. I don't know if this helps at all but good luck! By the way another important note is that say you sold 50 photos this year then wanted to upgrade your gear at 30 bucks a pop in your pocket you've only made 1500 so there's not gonna be much left over.
Thank you Ted for all video you are sharing, they are really interesting (and understandable for a non native speaker :)). Below some people talk about rights and licensing, I'm not sure to understand what does it mean. In France we talk about the author rights and the model rights (people or building or... on the photo) but I'm not sure to understand licensing.
I really wanted to know the answer here, but I couldn't get through the whole video. Slow down, know your message, express your message, make it concise. This is just some criticism, take it or leave it. Best of luck for the future.
This isn't difficult as everyone is making it out to be. Take retail value and multiply by 10, that's ur per image fee, don't provide digital images of any kind unless the ppl are willing to pay the exact same rate. All digital images should be water marked and coded so they cannot be reprint. Never sign over the printing rights and require a paper signed saying the images will not be distributed or used to make money. I.e. as stock photography or in fashion. You should charge rental fees for all equipment used and studio usage fees, that would be your monthly rent divided by the number of clients divided by the days you are in business.
@Kevin- Wow! Let me ask you a question. When you were a child, were your parents always taking your toys away from you? Maybe you parents got divorced and the one parent took you from the other. Or perhaps you experienced some major hardship in life like losing a job and you lost everything? Have you heard the story in the and in other books about the Master who gather 3 of his servants and told them he was going away and gave each of them some talents. Two of them invested and were able to increase their talents whereas the third took his one talent and buried it to protect it and keep other from stealing it. When the Master returned he ended up taking that talent from him and giving to the other servants.You are that servant and too tight fisted with a scarcity and lack of mentality. Read the books Think and Grow Rich as well as The Science of Getting RIch Your the type of photog I tend to expose and the reason for my book I'm writing on how to deal with photographers. There are laws on price gouging and profiteering and I don't recommend your tactics with pricing. If you are a photog shooting RAW in Manual and you give your clients high res jpeg's and you watermark them then you are raping them and asking them to pay you additional rates or fees to advertise for you. Look up the word watermark. It is used to identify the original which would be the raw format file and not the high res jpeg to are conning your paying clients with. Therefore Kevin a watermarke is nothing more than an advertising mark... right? Never sign over printing rights? How absurd! I don't want to deal with clients coming back to me later on for prints. I give the a DVD or thumb drive of ALL of the edited raw files or jpegs and they can take anywhere and get printing in any quantity or size they want. I'm a photographer not a photo processing place! Besides they already paid me so why do I want to engage in price gouging and profiteering? So after you bend them over the barrel and rape them repeatedly, you want the to sigh a waiver that only you can make money or distribute the images. Can you fathom why so many photogs have a tough time making money? It is the crap and puke that you and other like you put out there and promote. In fashion I am a fashion designer and I give raw file and unedited images as well as tons of free products and services away annually. Have you ever heard the old adage of you get what you give? How about the Law of Attraction? Or, what goes around, comes around? May from the bible, ask and you shall receive? I guess not! Hide behind your copyrights but understand that in Ohio, we have consumer law for a reason. You cannot have a one sided contact or business transaction in favor or the supplier. That falls under the uniform code across the country. What you stated is bad advice!
The facts are simple. Costs are just for information. You learn that the hard way. If your costs are £1000 per shoot and there is someone at the same skill level as you doing it for £500. Then He gets the job - simples. The fact is that pricing is a sliding scale from a to b. The question is what is a and what is b? And what strategy do I use to advance myself from a to b. It is that simple. Big tip - strategies are Marketing, cost reduction, speed of processing. etc. Hope this helps folks. Sorry this video here is very much a waste of time.
I asked the same question few episodes back! Hoped to hear my name when I saw the title, but not this time - haha, close! :) good to hear your thoughts on it anyway, thanks! Marek
Hey can you help me out? So I'm just starting out as a photographer; I just really do pictures and little stuff like that but in a couple weeks my sister is having her bridal shower and the other bridesmaids asked me to take pictures for night and be the official photographer for that night and I was just wondering like what would you recommend the price range be like how much I should charge them because I am A beginner and I am you know just starting to get out there and because this is like family and friends I don't want to charge too much but I also don't want to be thrown in the gutter with like just getting $20 because that happened to me once I feel like I can do something amazing. But they will just give me 20 30 bucks and that would be the end of that. I mean how do you think I should go with that?
thats absolutely not about perception, the cheap cell phone has less ram is not water resistant has a shitty camera etc etc, so yoiu pay for what you need not how you perceive, now unless the photographer himself has some amazing percepton thus quality there is no reason for him to price his time more than the customer himself, now because most of them are starving they have to take advantage of the customer because they might never get another one.
Abraham David Start photography with either a compact system camera, or a Entry level DSLR. And start with the kit lens they come with, and then for your first lens to buy should be a 50 1.8 it is an amazing lens that all systems create. I started with my phone, then I got my first DSLR the Canon 1200D then I got a 70D and now I have my 7D mark 2 with several lenses. Not going to say my age but I am close to yours so keep believing and you can do what you want. :)
Dude you are just rambling on and on and on without saying anything substantial. I am giving you 17 mins of my life mate. I want pen to paper. Like they say. Talk is cheap.
I started getting paid for photography 2 years ago and here are my tips to go with Ted's.
1. Be or very good at a certain type of photography, or reasonably good and very reliable.
2. It's easier to earn money if you work for companies et cetera (for example, I make pictures for the publications of the city I live in and for the publications of the local university: two very reliant clients.
3. Have a big pair of balls and believe in yourself. If someone is looking for photographers just apply for it and send them an example of your best work. Often, other people's perception of your work is more positive than your own. I was still a photography student when I started applying for fun and it actually worked.
4. It's better to be a tad too expensive than much too cheap. You can always negotiate down, not up.
Johnnythefirst excellent points!
The Art of Photography Thank you Ted. I would also like to add that I didn't start out as a full time photographer. I was a journalist/copywriter first and I gradually did more and more photography as I got better at it. Being flexible and having a couple of different things to support yourself with always helps as well. If one fails momentarily, you have some other stuff to count on.
Still didn't say what kind of money you need to be asking people. Rule number one is: if they say yes immediately, you asked too little (sadly I got this from experience. :p).
+Johnnythefirst thanks
especially: be dependable. Show up and show up on time and prepared to work.
+Timothy Yes, also a big factor. Forgot to mention it. :)
Having spent years in the business world, photography aside, I'm surprised by the number of people that really have no idea hat their costs are. Insurance, gas, shipping/mailing, training, ink, batteries, etc all adds up. As with any business a photographer should know exactly what it costs to produce an end item...whether that is a print, a DVD of retouched images or an hour of session work,
Mike Morgan even flushing the toilet costs us some cash
I ran a successful photography business for 30 years. Starting out I charged slightly less than the big guns in town. Over the years I raised my prices to as much as them and then more. I had some very large commercial accounts and they never once objected to my pricing. Why would they if they reliably got what they wanted and needed? I did my own processing and printing so everything was always delivered on time. It's easy to set pricing if you know your market and your potential clientele. Do your research.
We are supposed to be making money?
Oh dear...
That's a valid point! Why does it have to be about money? Can't we just take photographs for love?
Chris Davies WTF, can we just pay our bills with love?
Nope. Which is why I am in business doing something that pays more money.
My job means I can meet all my bills, and do exactly the sorts of photography I do in my spare time for love. I don't have to market myself, which I would have to do if I was a photographer. I hate marketing myself when I am not working. I am a very different person at work to the person I am at home.
I don't want to photograph what my employers tell me to.
Amateur is a dirty word amongst many photographers, and there is no good reason for it to be. I am proud to be an amateur. I work for love.
John we pay our bills with the money we made from our jobs. We have our hobbies for love.
I can give you an exception, though. - I have someone in my family who is an artist, he paints, abstract stuff, a nobody really, you wouldn't know his name nor would you be able to really find his work. But he's a really bold person and he's just like "Well, I want this and this, so I'll just ask for it.". Same with the price-tags on his paintings. - And surely, paintings take a lot more effort than a single photo and a print, a lot of hours can go into it like other hand-crafted pieces, but he puts some hefty price-tags on even the smallest canvases. I wouldn't pay that if I had the money, though taste is subjective of course. - Still, he sells them and it's his main income, and all he does is stand on a market once or twice a week.
The thing is, he seems to somehow get the attention of people. For example, he's quite a smooth talker, but also a very real talker. So he'll kind of get into people's heads and tell them to have a good look at what they want and they'll often come around and make a purchase or actually come back later. - Besides that there's also rich people who need something for their office or some such thing. Often they want large pieces, which of course cost more. So he's basically just winging it and winning it as well. - Not that I recommend this, but it's not always true that you have to be a well-known artist or have a name to draw in clients or big money. Sometimes you just have to play it smart or aggressive even, and just pretend...
A lot of legendary people in anything, from art to music to acting and producing, have just pretended to know what they're doing and gaining experience and success that way. And trust me, many of those people will admit it in interviews as well. Almost every time they'll literally go like "I didn't know what I was doing.". - So, there ya go... Again, an exception. I think he's just lucky to have found a niche and a spot in the world to make a living from, and it's just his way of getting by, not to make a huge business, just to live.
Being perceived as a great or nice or the cheapest (insert title) may drive business to your door but is not the answer for longevity.
1 figure out your fixed (operational)and direct(product) costs
2 are your customers, high end or low end buyers
3 position yourself in the high end or low end market
4 your competitors, what are they doing or not doing. Compete directly or do what they’re not.
5 profit, how much is enough. Got a trust fund or a wealthy significant other, no rent or mortgage, or do you live the bohemian lifestyle,can all be advantages.
6 if you listen to the advice of anyone in the field your interested in. Find out if they’re actually making a living! Not a perceived living. Before taking any advice.
Ted, as always, I really appreciate your insights and opening of dialog on topics like pricing our work. As you were listing costs it struck me that you left off a key cost. I believe that we need to count our time (labor) in the cost column. Profit is what is left after covering all of the costs, including paying yourself, as you would an assistant or model that you may hire. This then brings up the question of "what is my time worth?" One place to start is what are others willing to pay for your time. For this, simply look at the last pay check you got, doing whatever work that was. That employer thought your time was worth something, so should you.
My dad had a small graphics business for many years. He was particular about the jobs he took for the money he saw in doing it. Very rare that he took a job that didn't fit the money needs. As a service tech our first hour of service was 55.00 trip fee and 65.00/hr labor. Truck, travel, managers, phone personel, etc.
You need to define a market - a group of service providers, and the consumer decides if the performance of the lowest cost service is acceptable, or needs to pay more for higher image quality or better service performance.
I like this setting (table & chair). I think you should use it more often.
Really like the way you break things down and explain stuff. Thanks for this video ted. Much appreciated.
Very informative video. Talking money always seems so hard. I've only been into my photography hobby for less than a year, but this is an important subject for growth down the road!
unrelated viewer feedback: This new method of mentioning your sponsors works better than the other where you inserted the pre-made plugs. It just flows better this way with the audio/video not changing at all. With the older method, I found myself occasionally skipping through them, but with this free-flowing approach it's very digestible. Thank you for all the great content, Ted and Judy.
I think Judy is saying "Sleep on It!"
And I agree with David Meyer when he says your pricing should also take in account the "usage rights and licensing". Many newcomers get fooled in their first contracts.
Very nice video Ted. These are subjects that need to be talked about.
Hi Ted. I love the channel, the content, and your style. I always learn something. And the production value seems to go up and up. Many thanks for all that you do.
During my sophomore year of college, I had the opportunity to work at a major concert series with my camera. My neighbor at the time was head of the stagehands union. While setting up for a major Rod Stewart stadium show, he found he was short a few men on the crew, and contacted to see if I'd be willing to work the concert and get paid union wages. It didn't take me long to say yes and I headed to the stadium with a couple of Leica's in hand. As promised; after helping set up the stage, I was given free reign to photograph the concert from the stage. My work drew the attention of the local Warner Brothers PR rep, and I was soon offered a job covering rock concerts in the great lakes region. The gig only lasted a few months, but the experience was priceless. Typical of many photo jobs back in the 70s, one gig led to another. Soon I was a stringer for UPI; which proved to be the jumping off point to a career as a photojournalist. That first big break can come from the most unlikely directions, but you have to be open to the possibilities and willing to take a few chances. Getting established plays a huge roll in how you'll eventually be taken serious in pricing negotiations. When I made the jump to commercial work, I was already an established name in the community. At that point earnning a respectable fee had become a simpler negotiation. Stringers and photojournlist aren't the big money shooters, but they can open some pretty big doors if your open to them.
Jon Krantz dats wussupp baby
Important to remember that pricing too "cheap" is also a turn off for many customers, whether or not your portfolio is amazing. Part of perception and price I guess.
When you first start in business you are often coming from earning a low enough income yourself so you price to what you think at the time will be sufficient. What you don't realise is the cost of doing business is higher than you think and you need to pump money back into your business to stay competitive. As a result most people start out too cheap which is a mistake, it's not sustainable.
Your pricing structure determines your client demographic. If you are the cheap guy then you fall into the category of bargain hunting clients who probably won't value your service compared to other cheap guys who you could be way better than.
Don't market yourself based on price, market based on quality and offering something unique. You can't copy a business and expect the same results. They did it before you and already got established. Focus on presenting yourself as the cool new guy with the slick website and trendy work. Price accordingly and the business will come. Just don't underestimate the amount of money it takes to get there!
There is one thing that doesn't get mentioned too often when it comes to pricing. That is usage rights and licensing. Many photographers leave this aspect out and hurt their own business.
David Meyer Hi David. Do you mean hurting you own business by not charging different rates based on rights and licensing? Or by not specifying what the usage rights are at the time of sale?
Bryan Shay Hi Bryan. Both things are important and I meant both. But even if it's a test / trade shoot and no money changes hands, paperwork (this including usage rights and licences) should be signed.
+David Meyer can you explain y
David Meyer You are right. I am very ignorant about the subject. I’ve watched a ton of online classes and have not heard anyone discuss it that I recall. I’ll have to search it out. Thx for the reminder.
Thanks, that was good. I am freelance photographer and a lot of my income comes from selling art at shows. A lot of other artists are not open to sharing their struggles or successful knowledge
My first sale of my artistic street portrait sold for $250.00 ,I did a lot of free photography covering events ,news stories,plus I had my works both digital paintings and photography in Jared museum shows therefore my price immediately went up and continues to raise ,I only been doing this a year and a half ,I am gaining a great reputation fast,news papers front page ect.,what a first year I m hsving
Thank you for explaing some of the concepts of pricing.
Your advice for the uninitiated was to "GUESS" what to charge....WTF...One doesn't need to reinvent the wheel here...ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) is a great place to start...for Stock and images produced on spec that will eventually generate income based on USAGE...the program "PhotoQuote" will spit out a price to the penny based on usage parameters such as quantity reproduced, geographic distribution, number of contextual languages the image is embedded in, period of time the license is granted for as well as covering all possible uses regarding which media...print, electronic etc, etc.
You would do a good journalist or politician as well . And that's a compliment. Thank you for this great content !
thanks ted, I always enjoy watching your videos. also, I love the new design. keep up the good work!
Thank you for this. I just started getting customers to photograph and I was unsure of what to charge them. This is the best video I've seen so far and you speak very well, sir.
Absolutely love your show, and enjoy each video you upload. Keep the great work going and best of lucks on all your endeavours
Love your channel and the content you are producing.
Thanks so much Ted. You have clarified the air of this difficult subject. Much appreciated.
Thank you so much!! I'm one of those people who seems to put a lot of "discounts" on things. Now I'm not afraid to put a big price on things. Oh and could you be able to sell photos in high school?
Judy, Judy, Judy, LOL. Love your set and the antique lamp. Thanks for doing this video, it has some great advice and will be helpful.
Excellent and very important advice. I must admit I gave my full attention to every word... Thank you very much Mr Forbes...
Another great video, Ted. THANK YOU.
The main camera that's further away is way more expensive
I was feeling that too
No one would setup a super expensive camera as their B cam and a cheap camera as their A cam
Why am I just discovering you in October 2018. God bless you for all your efforts.
Hmm..Is that a Fuji GW680(690) I see on the right of the lamp?
Below I am showing am example of how I figure all of my cost to come up with an hourly cost which is certainly not the end all be all. However, if you are a follower of Sue Bryce and watch her videos, especially the Creative Live vids, Sue like so many other photogs are all over the board on how to figure what to charge and how to establish it. Below you will see a list of most of my equipement and expenses, which is broken down into an hourly cost. You will also see that there is 15% added to most items. For example the cost of a camera body goes way down in just a few years. So by added 15% of your purchase, this allows to to purchase a new body that maybe higher or afford you replacement cost should you drop, break or damage something. At the end you see a subtotal along with a total where my profit of 25% is added to come up with $170.75 an hour. If you shoot a weddings and it takes you 12 hrs. of shooting and 12 hours of editing, you times the $170.75 x 24 = $4098 and that would be what you charge your client or what your package price would be. This ensures that ALL of you costs are being covered without ripping people off! So how many weddings would you have to do to pay everything off? Simple, take the 24 hrs (12 shooting and 12 editing and album creation) and divide that by 2080 and that is 87 events. But allow me to be clear, that while you are not going to use every single item on the list at every wedding or shoot, by doing it this way, it becomes merely 2080 billable hrs. that you have made enough money to cover everything on this list like me. Lastly, as you can see, I have a ton of stuff and it adds up to $170.75. If you listen to Sue or (other photogs on what to charge) in other video, she says she charges $500 an hour. Do you see the difference? Don''t engage in price gouging or profiteering like her by increasing prices and doing less as she stated in this video. Be realistic with your pricing! How do I increase then? Well I hire you at say $100 an hour, bill you out at $200 an hour / 2080 = $0.0961 or $0.10 an hour as you would a sub or an employee. I just repeat and add more people and instead of doing Sue's 2 a week for a year (2 x 52 = 104 events), I am now able to do 4 a week. i.e. 208 x 24 hrs (12 shooting & 12 editing & album creation) = 4992 billable hours x $170.75 = $852,384.00 annually. This is how you grow a business and ensure that you are profitable! I pay you a great wage and doubling that, in a year (2080 hrs) now I can afford to hire another to shooter and repeat! Stop thinking and saying "I'm an artist!" You're profession is a photographer, someone who takes images and instead you are a business person! Start thinking like a business person!
Bodies Batteries & Grips
Nikon D5 - $6,496.95 x 15% = 974.54 + $6496.95 = $7471.49 / 2080 = $3.59 an hour.
MK-D5000 Battery Grip - $67.96
x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour.
Nikon D850 - $3,296.95 x 15% = $494.54 + $3,296.95 = $3,791.49 / 2080 = $1.82 an hour.
Nikon D800 - $2,999.95 x 15% = $449.99 + $2,999.95 = $3,449.94 / 2080 = $1.66 an hour.
MB-D18 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D850 - $67.96 x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour.
Nikon D750 - $1,396.95 x 15% = $209.54 + $1,396.95 = $1,606.49 / 2080 = $0.77 an hour.
MB-D16 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D750 - $59.46 x 15% = $8.92 + $59.46 = $68.38 / 2080 = $0.03 an hour.
Nikon D7200 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour.
Nikon D7100 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour.
Neewer MB-D15 Battery Grip Replacement for Nikon D7100 - $29.99
x 15% = $4.50 + $29.99
=$34.49 / 2080 = $0.02 an hour.
EN-EL15a Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery - $54.95 x 6 = $329.70
x 15% = $49.50 + $329.70 = $379.20 / 2080 = $0.18 an hour.
NIKON MH-67P Battery Charger - $49.99 x 3
= $149.97
x 15% = $22.50 + $149.97 = $172.47 / 2080 = $0.08 an hour.
Lenses
Nikon / NIKKOR - 24MM F/1.8G AF-S ED - $749.95 x 15% = $112.49 + $749.95 = $862.44 / 2080 = $0.41 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 35mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,696.95 x 15% = $254.54 + $1,696.95 = $1,951.49 / 2080 = $0.93 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 50mm F/1.8G AF-S - $216.95 x 15% = $32.54 + $216.95 = $249.49 / 2080 = $0.11 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 85mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,549.00 x 15% = $232.35 + $1,549.00 = $1,781.35 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 24-70mm F/2.8G AF-S - $1,449.00 x 15% = $217.35 + $1,449.00 = $1,666.35 / 2080 = $0.80 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 70-200mm F/2.8G AF-S ED VR II - $2,496.95 x 15% = $374.54 + $2,496.95 = $2,871.49 / 2080 = $1.38 an hour
.
Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8G Di VC G2 - $1,199.00 x 15% = $179.85 + $1,199.00 = $1,378.85 / 2080 = $0.66
an hour.
Speed Lights
Nikon SB 910 Speedlight Flash - TTL - 34m - $724.00 x 6
= $4344.00 x 15% = $651.60 + $4344.00 = $4995.60 / 2080 = $2.40 an hour.
Strobes
PROFOTO B1X TO-GO KIT - $2,095.00 x 6 = $12570.00 x 15% = $1885.50 + $12570.00 = $14455.50 / 2080 = $6.95 an hour
.
Reflectors
Neewer 43-inch/5-in-1 Multi-Disc Reflector -$19.99 x 15% = $3.00 + $19.99 = $22.99 / 2080 = $0.01 an hour
.
Other
PocketWizard PlusX
Transceiver - $89.00 x 8 = $712.00 x 15% = $106.80 + $712.00 = $818.80 / 2080 =
$0.39 an hour.
Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 - $1499.00
x 15% = $224.85 + $1499.00 = $1723.85 / 2080 = $0.82 an hour.
Mavic 2 Pro - $1499.00
x 15% = $224.85 + $1499.00 = $1723.85 / 2080 = $0.82 an hour.
Associates
Model - 4 hr shoot @ $100 an hour = $400 x 35 (shoots per year) = $14000.00 x 15% = $2100.00 + 14000.00 = $16100.00 / 2080 = $7.74 an hour
.
MUA - 1 hr per shoot @ $100. 00 an hour x 35 (shoots per year) = $3500.00 x 15% = $525.00 + $3500.00 = $4025.00 / 2080 = $1.93 an hour
.
Photographers - $150,000.00 annually gross / 2080 = $72.11 an hour
.
Retirement - $2000.00 x 12 = $24,000.00 (annually) / 2080 = $11.53 an hour.
Insurance - auto - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour
insurance - medical - $300.00 x 12 = $3600.00 / 2080 = $1.73 an hour
Studio & Equipment
Rent - $1200 x 12 = $14,400.00 x 15% = $2160.00 + $14400.00 = $16560.00 / 2080 = $7.96 an hour.
Insurance - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour
Utilities (average variable monthly expense)
Water & Sewer $55.00 x 12 = $660.00 x 15% = $99.00 + 660.00 = $759.00 / 2080 = $0.36 an hour.
Electric $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour.
Natural Gas $75.00 x 12 = $900.00 x 15% = $135.00 + $900.00 = $1035.00 / 2080 = $0.50 an hour.
Phone - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour.
Cable - $80.00 x 12 = $960.00 x 15% = $144.00 + $960.00 = $1104.00 / 2080 = $0.53 an hour.
Trash - 50.00 x 12 = $600.00 x 15% = $90.00 + $600.00 = $690.00 / 2080 = $0.33 an hour
Computer & Equipment - $2000 x 2 = $4000 x 15% = $600.00 +$4000.00 = $4600.00 = $2.21 an hour.
Adobe CC - $9.99 x 12 = $119.88 x 15% = $17.98 + $119.88 = $137.86 / 2080 = $ an hour.
Sub Total Overhead listed above $136.60 an hour
Profit - 25% x $136.60 = $34.15 + $136.60 = $170.75
the wide shot is with the more expensive camera? or just with a sharper lenses!?
Also please don't take this the wrong way. I've been a fan and watching your show for a while. I noticed theres a color shift in this video. Are you using Auto W/B or you have it locked in?
Great content! Thanks for sharing!
Great tropic as usual and thanks Ted !
Wonderful video. Enjoyed it very much.
Morning! Question: How can I get my pics put in galleries in different countries? My country is as cultured as a bag of potatoes:-/
Thank you for that!!!!!
This was a great in-depth answer. Thank you so much.
Eire, unlike the U.S. has absolutely no value on the photographic image. All photographs are free and you can copy an image to your hearts content and use it as you will. I have seen my images in local publications without any payment or credit to me as the photographer. I know this may be off topic but I do feel it is related.
One master photographer told me ones that if you price our prints too low the buyer are gonna think you dont care about your work. So its a nut to crack when it comes to setting the price. At my last exhibition i sat the price after calculating theese factors..Cost and print edition. It turned out to be a little to high for the buyers but at the other hand, i got to show my work.
I think people doing photography or art in general are too bus with breaking trough "tomorrow". Dont forget to have fun and that you are doing what you love.
And dont forget Kenna who printed 10 years for a well known photographer before he even got his name recognized.
Be patient!
For me- i have a weird view on doing an exhibition on my work:
A. It seems too narcissistic to my eyes. "Who am I to celebrate my work and make other people come watch it?"
People don't really give a shit about your photography...maybe unless you fake it, and you're enthusiastic, so others play along.
Even if I have good enough photos, I don't feel I could hang one of them in my own apt. Too weird. Too egocentric.
www.flickr.com/photos/eladbari/
B. My images aren't "weird enough" so they could be entitled for an exhibition.
It always felt to me like your work HAS to be super weird..unclear...dark...hinting...- to be considered an exhibition-worthy.
If it's "just pretty", then what will all the artsy fartsy people talk about inbetween themselves? :] seriously.
The Art of Photography THANK YOU for this video.
your really good at talking, nice clean video!
Im a bit late on this one, but I'm guessing the expensive camera is a Leica which is into the thousands of pounds/dollers and the cheap camera is one that i think you mention a bit is a fijifilm, retailing at 200 to 300 pounds/dollers.
I'm quite blessed my sister a makeup artist my cousin nail stylist my friend owns a shop and my uncle makes website for a living.
I'm just great at networking I'm a no-name no one knows me, but because I have these 4 things setting something up will be a lot cheaper for me for say someone else because of mate/family rates.
So i think you should build up a network of people is super important.
i have a japanese friend who told me he doesnt understand why having a friend/family member in a certain profession- enables you [us] to ask them to work for us in a lower rate, cause we know them. He said, it should be the opposite: "You are my brother / good friend/ family member- I love & respect you, and so I want to pay you MORE than you usually charge.
It took me a second, and then I realized, this could be a logical reality indeed.
Imagine what if your Aunt came to you and asked you to work on a snore-boring project for her that you don't want to, for free/50% off?
good advice, thanks ted! i struggle with this as well.
The ASMP has excellent established day /job rates that their members use. May be available via search
A 17 min video giving a photography 101 college answer , covering ....... well, everything you can think of :) Great job by the way , ........ , I commend you !!
Here is my "basic" answer to a "basic" question :
(1st) ~ My observation after hearing the questions :
You may be a beginner & have not been practicing this business endeavor passionately for long. That said, you are new, unknown, have less expense and just trying to get started or beginning to get your name and product out there !!
(2nd) ~ Continue your photography passion, building skills 1st, and rank making money, 2nd. If you can really do that you can start profiting at many levels by several methods.
a.) Accepting money for your work when someone asks if you would part w/ it, by asking what they might pay for it. I would take what ever the 1st person offers and go up from there !! :) If they insist you set a price, ...... , set it low. At cost ? A minimum profit ? Or , if you can really put money second, ......... , at a small loss to get it out there . For this person , the happier you make them , will spread the word and send much business your way. :)
b.) Set up a booth in a week-end fair or flea market and set your prices in the beginning at cost or at a minimum profit. Remember, you own the camera, printer and software already. Don't try to make those money's back immediately but try to pay for your paper, ink, etc....
c.) If you have courage and are outgoing, you could approach a gathering place of business (i.e. restaurants, coffee shop, etc...), pitch your idea to sell from there on certain dates, offer a % of profits or commission and charge a minimum profit in the beginning.
Remember :
Most businesses fail in the 1st year b/c :
a.) passion in a field or craft does not always correlate into money.
b.) greed : people charge too much
c.) people don't invest enough into their passion, reinvest into their business or continue to hone their skills.
You've got the passion anyway , it would be better to take it slow , maybe even loose a little to get your work out & your name affiliated w/ your passion and skills, than to be greedy and have ............ EVEN ONE PERSON W/ A BAD REVIEW ABOUT YOUR WORK, SKILL LEVEL OR PRICE !!!
Now ......... my advice on price "basics" :) My preferred photo's are 13x19 and a pack of 20 sheets cost me $28.+. I decided to charge $40. per print to start. This would cover most of the cost of my photo or print paper, ink, maybe a folder for customer carry. I've moved up from there over 4 yrs. I found that people w/ more money actually promote your business through word of mouth where as people w/ less money do not. Always have pride in your work and always , always look for more money as time goes on. Learn not to settle for less b/c of your situation but, decide to let something go for cheap as a gift :)
My skills are better and I've found that I sell to a wealthier class of people now. I still let some go cheaply, but, I love photography and don't do it for my livelihood.
I charge 3 to 5 times my print price if they are framed. Unless you can buy the glass, mattes and frame them yourself, you would not imagine the cost of having them framed.
One last thing : If you do start to make money and the # of your customers grow, by word of mouth or repeat business, you are well on your way to making it a successful business. :) As this happens you will learn, quickly, which people can afford what prices and how to monetize your skills by listening to what your client's needs are. You will also become more fluent in promoting yourself. Soon you will be receiving extravagant amounts of money for your name, skill and subject matter b/c of the clients you choose to cater to. Very soon you will also be spending less time w/ people whom would not satisfy your requirement.
If I made this video it would have taken me under 3 min :)
Hope this helps,Sincerely .......................
Great video! Very helpful, thank you!
Great advice. Very touchy subject.
Great vid, but there's one base left to cover (imho)
Perceived value vs. inflation vs cost of doing business.
A lot of Uncle Bobs with good equipment out there, shooting images well above par and for lunch money or less, have depreciated the perceived value of a good photograph. Sad, but fact.
And there's your cost of doing business. In order to stay alive/ afloat, you'd have to make, for arguments sake, $300 every working day.
So you can't sell a portrait shoot for less than a hundred bucks or you'll go belly up.
Now: Is your photography good enough that the client will cough up the cash with a tears in his eyes when he/ she sees the print?
Perhaps, or maybe not.
Also, are you a good sales and business person? There are a lot of great photographers out there who couldn't sell sunscreen lotion in a desert, and went belly up. Also, there are bad photographers who have a long lineage of used car salespersons, they can sell anything. They survived.
Just my 2 cents.
Awesome
5:09 I forget who they were, but you've shown some sexy printers, that was a great video, thank you and I hope people continue in what I suspect is a very hard market.
Video: You can do THIS with an INSTAGRAM photo?!?!
Thank you for making this video.
Who is Dan Winters? For what companies has he shot campaigs?
Most pro photographers charge way to little. I've found that estimating the absolute most your market will bear, then doubling it is about right. First thing it does is that the price will drive away customers you don't want. The second is that the perception is that you only shoot for elite clients who can afford the very best. If you can't deliver the top quality work your prices imply, maybe you should find another line of work!
Hey Ted,
First and foremost, love your videos. They're of great help so many thanks.
Now, did you ever find a new place? Heard you had to move due to noise/new construction in and/or around your neighborhood.
Eriko Andre Working on it. Should have something to announce soon!
The Art of Photography If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know. I know first hand the headache moving can be.
OK my question is how much for the actual print ?
I have spent say 20$ on the print 35 $ on the framing/ matting . So Im guessing cost 55$ and then to add on say 20/ 30 to the total about that amount would be possibly correct ball park area . starting price . At 1st while no one knows who I am just yet . So your assessment on that feed back please ? Thoughts please !
Hey there Ricardo, I don't know a lot about photography yet but I know a lot about business. Basically your cost is way too high. So you spent 55 on cost which means you spent time printing a photo choosing a frame and framing the print. To cover this cost you'd at least want to charge a percentage on your products as you're onselling them. So lets go something nice like 25% , so then we're up to $73.35. Now you want to say, how long did I spend on this photo? If you took the time to get a special frame and print it and you only did one copy I'm guessing you spent a good hour at the least messing around with this. So lets go a small wage as you said you're just getting started. A minimum of 25 an hour sounds good to me, that means including travel time shopping framing let alone getting out your camera snapping the shot if it's quick and easy and probably if you forgot about editing you might be looking at 3 hours?
So I'd say you want to charge $150
So in conclusion if we want to make money;
Cost + reasonable percentage (Retail stores can add on 40 percent or higher)
Time Charged at Preferred Hourly Rate + Possible Call Out Fee
Value = Is it a shot that someone will buy or is it a shot of great value
Now starting out as you say no one knows who you are and I know I wouldn't pay that...
Unless it did present as great value.
So in general i'd decrease cost;
Make small prints & buy plain frames - also this way not spending the big bucks and making more photos you can sell to a bigger audience.
Lets decrease time next;
Choose things you can get multiple shots of, change the angle the light or the background. Then print multiple pictures.
Upping the value;
The only thing I can say here is don't produce unfinished unedited work. That way no one can ever fault what you do. Or at least this is what people keep saying to me :P
Anyway sorry I got sick of half answers and you'd probably lose money just paying for fuel at 75 bucks these days. I don't know if this helps at all but good luck!
By the way another important note is that say you sold 50 photos this year then wanted to upgrade your gear at 30 bucks a pop in your pocket you've only made 1500 so there's not gonna be much left over.
Chief Gameslow Hey thank you for your great advice .
And will be reading what you wrote 2 or 3 times thank you !!!
How much would a beginners gear cost roughly. Also I love your show and
you have given me great advice
Thank you Ted for all video you are sharing, they are really interesting (and understandable for a non native speaker :)). Below some people talk about rights and licensing, I'm not sure to understand what does it mean. In France we talk about the author rights and the model rights (people or building or... on the photo) but I'm not sure to understand licensing.
A5100 for close up and A7S for wide?
Great video! Thanks!
I really wanted to know the answer here, but I couldn't get through the whole video.
Slow down, know your message, express your message, make it concise.
This is just some criticism, take it or leave it. Best of luck for the future.
George Brandon He's on some ADHD medication, for sure.
What camera do you use for your RUclips videos? Great channel, by the way!
the close up camera is the more expensive one :)
Naa wide shot
repentandfaith I
I agree
What if you don't have a background yet?
This isn't difficult as everyone is making it out to be. Take retail value and multiply by 10, that's ur per image fee, don't provide digital images of any kind unless the ppl are willing to pay the exact same rate. All digital images should be water marked and coded so they cannot be reprint. Never sign over the printing rights and require a paper signed saying the images will not be distributed or used to make money. I.e. as stock photography or in fashion. You should charge rental fees for all equipment used and studio usage fees, that would be your monthly rent divided by the number of clients divided by the days you are in business.
@Kevin- Wow! Let me ask you a question. When you were a child, were your parents always taking your toys away from you? Maybe you parents got divorced and the one parent took you from the other. Or perhaps you experienced some major hardship in life like losing a job and you lost everything? Have you heard the story in the and in other books about the Master who gather 3 of his servants and told them he was going away and gave each of them some talents. Two of them invested and were able to increase their talents whereas the third took his one talent and buried it to protect it and keep other from stealing it. When the Master returned he ended up taking that talent from him and giving to the other servants.You are that servant and too tight fisted with a scarcity and lack of mentality. Read the books Think and Grow Rich as well as The Science of Getting RIch
Your the type of photog I tend to expose and the reason for my book I'm writing on how to deal with photographers. There are laws on price gouging and profiteering and I don't recommend your tactics with pricing. If you are a photog shooting RAW in Manual and you give your clients high res jpeg's and you watermark them then you are raping them and asking them to pay you additional rates or fees to advertise for you. Look up the word watermark. It is used to identify the original which would be the raw format file and not the high res jpeg to are conning your paying clients with. Therefore Kevin a watermarke is nothing more than an advertising mark... right? Never sign over printing rights? How absurd! I don't want to deal with clients coming back to me later on for prints. I give the a DVD or thumb drive of ALL of the edited raw files or jpegs and they can take anywhere and get printing in any quantity or size they want. I'm a photographer not a photo processing place! Besides they already paid me so why do I want to engage in price gouging and profiteering? So after you bend them over the barrel and rape them repeatedly, you want the to sigh a waiver that only you can make money or distribute the images. Can you fathom why so many photogs have a tough time making money? It is the crap and puke that you and other like you put out there and promote. In fashion I am a fashion designer and I give raw file and unedited images as well as tons of free products and services away annually. Have you ever heard the old adage of you get what you give? How about the Law of Attraction? Or, what goes around, comes around? May from the bible, ask and you shall receive? I guess not! Hide behind your copyrights but understand that in Ohio, we have consumer law for a reason. You cannot have a one sided contact or business transaction in favor or the supplier. That falls under the uniform code across the country. What you stated is bad advice!
How to sell your photos online??
I would like to know how to charge when my clients ask for only the softcopy of the photos?
Muy Bueno como siempre!!!
Mi Querida Cocina .com Tu sabes cocina r?
Mi Querida Cocina .com eres caliente ( i think thats how you say your hot )
The facts are simple. Costs are just for information. You learn that the hard way. If your costs are £1000 per shoot and there is someone at the same skill level as you doing it for £500. Then He gets the job - simples. The fact is that pricing is a sliding scale from a to b. The question is what is a and what is b? And what strategy do I use to advance myself from a to b. It is that simple. Big tip - strategies are
Marketing, cost reduction, speed of processing. etc.
Hope this helps folks.
Sorry this video here is very much a waste of time.
I asked the same question few episodes back! Hoped to hear my name when I saw the title, but not this time - haha, close! :) good to hear your thoughts on it anyway, thanks!
Marek
the close up shots are the expensive camera...
Ironic, perhaps. Some of the most expensive computers run Linux and probably nothing else. Android is Linux with a pretty face.
If you only have a phone camera, but a unique photographic object, then your phone's recording is worth immeasurable.
The more zoomed in camera is the cheap one?
Hey can you help me out? So I'm just starting out as a photographer; I just really do pictures and little stuff like that but in a couple weeks my sister is having her bridal shower and the other bridesmaids asked me to take pictures for night and be the official photographer for that night and I was just wondering like what would you recommend the price range be like how much I should charge them because I am A beginner and I am you know just starting to get out there and because this is like family and friends I don't want to charge too much but I also don't want to be thrown in the gutter with like just getting $20 because that happened to me once I feel like I can do something amazing. But they will just give me 20 30 bucks and that would be the end of that. I mean how do you think I should go with that?
thats absolutely not about perception, the cheap cell phone has less ram is not water resistant has a shitty camera etc etc, so yoiu pay for what you need not how you perceive, now unless the photographer himself has some amazing percepton thus quality there is no reason for him to price his time more than the customer himself, now because most of them are starving they have to take advantage of the customer because they might never get another one.
I know it's not the subject of the video, but I'm curious. Is the narrower footage from the expensive camera?
I'd say it's the wider shot
What camera are you using here?
What's the music at the end?
is it a good idea to start photography at a young age say 12-14 year's
You can start when you want.
What type of camera should a beginner like me should use
Like a poloroid or something else
Or lens
Abraham David
Start photography with either a compact system camera, or a Entry level DSLR. And start with the kit lens they come with, and then for your first lens to buy should be a 50 1.8 it is an amazing lens that all systems create. I started with my phone, then I got my first DSLR the Canon 1200D then I got a 70D and now I have my 7D mark 2 with several lenses. Not going to say my age but I am close to yours so keep believing and you can do what you want. :)
You didn't answer
N
So the correct answer is $20. Always.
21 21 21 💤
Do you is professional photograph?
I'm brazilian !
Guilherme Vaz your coo'
Dude you are just rambling on and on and on without saying anything substantial. I am giving you 17 mins of my life mate. I want pen to paper.
Like they say. Talk is cheap.