Thank you, Katja for great content. I am just starting my photography business journey in Stockholm, so sharing your experiences from your journey are valuable to me. The business aspect of photography is crucial when starting out and I am so happy to have found your channel.
Thank you Mats for your kind words. I'm happy you are starting out on this path. I have a video coming up in the next couple of weeks kind of covering the basics of starting a photography business. Let me know if there are any other specific topics that might be interesting.
@@katjafeldmeier I guess the first questions are related to identifying my ideal clients and how to find and get my first clients. Also the licensing parts you mentioned in this video is new to me. Coming from a business background of real estate into the creative industry of photography, I need to learn the photography business.
ah great questions, I will definitely cover these in the upcoming video. I also already made a video about 'how to get clients' on my channel. So if you haven't seen it yet, you can check that out: ruclips.net/video/6yV2DopVBPQ/видео.htmlsi=Pu4E2DjZdN4RXHfT Also real estate is potentially a great niche for photography if you already know that business and have some contacts in there. It could be an amazing staring point for you and give you a comtetitive edge.
Honestly, I don't really offer event photography, because I don't really like doing it :) I have done it like twice before and #1 was a pro bono client and for a cause which I just wanted to support so I charged nothing. The second one was a company that I usually do portraits for, and it was like a 2h long small team event with a couple portraits thrown in as well. I would have charged more because I dislike events so much... haha, but I ended up giving them a reduced rate because they are a loyal an important client of mine. It was like 800€ for 30 image usage rights plus they bought some additional photos which was another 200€. But in general I think the hourly rate is not a great model, because it doesn't really include the time spent in postproduction (making selections and editing the photos). It also really depends on the type of client, like if it's a commercial event by the brand Gucci vs. if it's Rachel's 21 birthday bash...if you know what I mean. I would ask for their budget (have your own in mind) and yes also pre-determine the amount of pictures you will be providing and the hours you will be on site + hours spent in post production. Hope that helps :)
@@katjafeldmeier Thanks so much for replying. I shoot one event per year for free because it’s for a good cause. It’s a huge amount of work and while there are some enjoyable parts it’s really hard physically. I have been approached about shooting other events but I don’t know if I want to do them and I know I would have to charge quite a bit to make it worth my time. If I could figure out a pricing guide to give to people I’m sure they would change their minds about hiring me! But I would be willing to do it a few times a year for the right price, I just can’t figure out what that price should be.
Maybe try thinking of a price that would feel good to you. Even if it sounds unreasonably high in your mind at first.Then you will have set a bar for yourself and have something to communicate.
Hi Katie I have a couple question, Do you send the PDF after asking for a Budget? What happens if their budget is to low? and Why is Office/ Location less expensive the In Studio , I ask only because I do the opposite.
If it's a bigger client (a company, a startup etc.) I try to ask for the budget first and then to craft something on that basis. If it's an individual (like for a business photo shoot or for headshots) I usually send the pdf to give them an overview and a benchmark first. But as I have been doing this for a while I kind of have a gut feeling now which one is more suitable for which type of request. What is your usual process like?
Ah forgot to answer your second question: because I have to pay for the studio and usually need an assistant in the studio. Whereas I can usually do the on location jobs on my own and try use primarily available light.
@@katjafeldmeierI’m moving towards a consultative sales model this year because I work in many genres, and I find that this approach works best for me. I start by sending an email with a starting price or price range, depending on how much detail the client provides. I also include a few key questions about the project, such as: What type of images are you looking for? ,How many images do you need? Where do you plan to use the images? What’s your budget? Do you have any photo examples for reference? Clients can respond by email or book a discovery call. Based on their answers, I will either create a detailed estimate, provide tailored recommendations, or simply send pricing, depending on their needs. For example, my headshots are priced à la carte: First look (outfit): $250 , Additional looks: $100 each, Retouched images: $50 each , Unretouched images: $25 each, On-location fee: $100 I also plan to introduce a pro studio fee this year. This way, clients can design their own package to suit their specific needs."
sounds good. if it works for you, it works. I have found that going over these type of questions in a sales call instead of asking them initially by email has brought me better results. I have also found that a lot of clients don't actually know what they want, so very detailed questions tend to overwhelm them easily. So I started asking about the basics and then going into a recommendation/ pitch of what I think would suit their needs best.
Technically correct, but most customers don't understand this and choose the cheapest. Generation Z in marketing departments is used to getting free (low-quality) stuff from friends, cousins, Instagram, free stocks or wherever, but would never pay for licenses or other things. You don't have to pay for images, they're just there, falling from the sky... (ironically)
Yes, you are right. The goal is to not go for those type of customers and be ok with that! Most people don’t want to pay for a designer piece of clothing, most people don’t want to pay 300$ on a Michelin star restaurant, most people don’t want to pay 4k for a seat in business class…but then again some people will and do want to. and those people understand the difference in quality they are paying for. You gotta market yourself, your quality of work in a way that you actually scare away the majority of cheapsters out there and attract the select few who will be great customers to work with. But your excellent value proposition has to be there.
Let's talk openly about pricing. Any thoughts from you guys?
This is actually exactly what I needed to watch right now - thanks!
love to hear that! Thx Danny
Thank you, Katja for great content. I am just starting my photography business journey in Stockholm, so sharing your experiences from your journey are valuable to me. The business aspect of photography is crucial when starting out and I am so happy to have found your channel.
Thank you Mats for your kind words. I'm happy you are starting out on this path. I have a video coming up in the next couple of weeks kind of covering the basics of starting a photography business. Let me know if there are any other specific topics that might be interesting.
@@katjafeldmeier I guess the first questions are related to identifying my ideal clients and how to find and get my first clients. Also the licensing parts you mentioned in this video is new to me. Coming from a business background of real estate into the creative industry of photography, I need to learn the photography business.
ah great questions, I will definitely cover these in the upcoming video. I also already made a video about 'how to get clients' on my channel. So if you haven't seen it yet, you can check that out: ruclips.net/video/6yV2DopVBPQ/видео.htmlsi=Pu4E2DjZdN4RXHfT
Also real estate is potentially a great niche for photography if you already know that business and have some contacts in there. It could be an amazing staring point for you and give you a comtetitive edge.
Excellent and very informative video 😎👌🏿
Great Video with a lot of information
Thank you! I’m really glad it’s useful ✨
I would like to know what you charge for event photography. What is your hourly fee and do you charge additionally for the number of images provided?
Honestly, I don't really offer event photography, because I don't really like doing it :)
I have done it like twice before and #1 was a pro bono client and for a cause which I just wanted to support so I charged nothing.
The second one was a company that I usually do portraits for, and it was like a 2h long small team event with a couple portraits thrown in as well. I would have charged more because I dislike events so much... haha, but I ended up giving them a reduced rate because they are a loyal an important client of mine. It was like 800€ for 30 image usage rights plus they bought some additional photos which was another 200€.
But in general I think the hourly rate is not a great model, because it doesn't really include the time spent in postproduction (making selections and editing the photos). It also really depends on the type of client, like if it's a commercial event by the brand Gucci vs. if it's Rachel's 21 birthday bash...if you know what I mean. I would ask for their budget (have your own in mind) and yes also pre-determine the amount of pictures you will be providing and the hours you will be on site + hours spent in post production.
Hope that helps :)
@@katjafeldmeier Thanks so much for replying. I shoot one event per year for free because it’s for a good cause. It’s a huge amount of work and while there are some enjoyable parts it’s really hard physically. I have been approached about shooting other events but I don’t know if I want to do them and I know I would have to charge quite a bit to make it worth my time. If I could figure out a pricing guide to give to people I’m sure they would change their minds about hiring me! But I would be willing to do it a few times a year for the right price, I just can’t figure out what that price should be.
Maybe try thinking of a price that would feel good to you. Even if it sounds unreasonably high in your mind at first.Then you will have set a bar for yourself and have something to communicate.
Hi Katie I have a couple question, Do you send the PDF after asking for a Budget? What happens if their budget is to low? and Why is Office/ Location less expensive the In Studio , I ask only because I do the opposite.
If it's a bigger client (a company, a startup etc.) I try to ask for the budget first and then to craft something on that basis. If it's an individual (like for a business photo shoot or for headshots) I usually send the pdf to give them an overview and a benchmark first. But as I have been doing this for a while I kind of have a gut feeling now which one is more suitable for which type of request.
What is your usual process like?
Ah forgot to answer your second question: because I have to pay for the studio and usually need an assistant in the studio. Whereas I can usually do the on location jobs on my own and try use primarily available light.
@@katjafeldmeier Make sense now , I have a studio in my House , but Im thinking its time to rent as needed.
@@katjafeldmeierI’m moving towards a consultative sales model this year because I work in many genres, and I find that this approach works best for me. I start by sending an email with a starting price or price range, depending on how much detail the client provides. I also include a few key questions about the project, such as:
What type of images are you looking for? ,How many images do you need?
Where do you plan to use the images? What’s your budget? Do you have any photo examples for reference?
Clients can respond by email or book a discovery call. Based on their answers, I will either create a detailed estimate, provide tailored recommendations, or simply send pricing, depending on their needs. For example, my headshots are priced à la carte: First look (outfit): $250 , Additional looks: $100 each, Retouched images: $50 each , Unretouched images: $25 each, On-location fee: $100 I also plan to introduce a pro studio fee this year. This way, clients can design their own package to suit their specific needs."
sounds good. if it works for you, it works.
I have found that going over these type of questions in a sales call instead of asking them initially by email has brought me better results. I have also found that a lot of clients don't actually know what they want, so very detailed questions tend to overwhelm them easily. So I started asking about the basics and then going into a recommendation/ pitch of what I think would suit their needs best.
Technically correct, but most customers don't understand this and choose the cheapest. Generation Z in marketing departments is used to getting free (low-quality) stuff from friends, cousins, Instagram, free stocks or wherever, but would never pay for licenses or other things. You don't have to pay for images, they're just there, falling from the sky... (ironically)
Yes, you are right. The goal is to not go for those type of customers and be ok with that!
Most people don’t want to pay for a designer piece of clothing, most people don’t want to pay 300$ on a Michelin star restaurant, most people don’t want to pay 4k for a seat in business class…but then again some people will and do want to. and those people understand the difference in quality they are paying for. You gotta market yourself, your quality of work in a way that you actually scare away the majority of cheapsters out there and attract the select few who will be great customers to work with. But your excellent value proposition has to be there.
Really?
really.
I agree with you but you are underpricing yourself.
Thank you! Yeah, I’m changing my prices this year :)