A few weekends ago, I did some work for someone to return a favor. After I took the photos, a person who was at the event contacted me and said they were also interested in ordering some photos. She gave me the file names, I added the total up, and replied to her email.
The next morning, I woke up to a message from the original contact, telling me that she felt I was charging too much per file, and that they had recently had another photographer who supplied 1400 photos for a group price of $150 on a CD, or five photos for $20.
What?! $.10 per file? The first thing I can't help but think to myself when I see this is "amateur." If this photographer knew the value of their work, they certainly wouldn't feel that their time is only worth $.10. I'm also confused as to how anyone could possible take 1400 photos in an hour and a half.
It took me a while to think of how to respond to the message. I had never been faced with this problem before. I've done work similar to this, but charged, roughly, 50% more. If the clients were ever unhappy with the price, it had never reached my ears.
I replied to the email basically saying that I could drop the price some, but not a lot. I explained that while determining prices, I had to take into consideration the amount of time it took me to drive to the location, the amount of time it took me to take the photos, the amount of time it took me to get back home, and the amount of time it took me to edit all of the photos. I also said that I would never be able to make a living off of what the other photographer sold those photos for. I'd be interested to see some of those photos. Maybe they're only worth $.10?
I make it a point to try to work with my clients as much as I can, but I would never be able to make a living off of the price the other photographer charged. It's also hard to adjust my prices because I wasn't paid to show up. The only potential profit I would be receiving would be through selling files. When I'm paid a set amount to do a specific job and files are included in that price, it's much, much easier to negotiate with price.
For instance, I recently did some work for someone and gave them an estimate with 15 files included. The client asked me if there was any way she could get the price lower. I asked the client how many photos they thought they would need, and what their budget was. After they told me, we agreed on half of the price that I originally gave them, but instead of 15 photos included in the price, they would only get four, and each additional file was four times as much as the original estimate. I didn't have to do as much editing, I still got paid, and the client got the amount of photos they needed; a win-win.
So why should you never undervalue your work?
First of all, if you have any respect for yourself, or your profession, and you're truly a "professional," you'll take into account the amount of time it takes to get to the location, the amount of time you're taking photos, the amount of time it takes you to get back, the amount of time it takes to edit the photos, and the amount of time went into contacting your client. Making quality photographs isn't easy, and takes time; your prices should reflect this. Keep in mind, that if this is your only income, this is your job, and you should be getting paid what you would be getting paid in any other post-college profession.
Secondly, out of respect for your fellow photographers. The photographer who sold their photos for $.10 a piece basically valued every other photographer's work that the clients they work for come in contact with at the same price, which, again, is extremely low.
So how did I handle this situation? I offered to lower my prices as much as I could, but still make somewhat of a profit. I haven't received any orders yet, but I'm okay with that. I stood my ground, and I might not make money from this job, but I wasn't expecting to in the first place. I originally went for the original contact to return a favor. Also, every client I work with is potentially even more clients. I rely heavily on word-of-mouth to get my name out there. If I drop my prices for a number of clients, and then they spread the word to their friends about me, what do you think their friends will expect me to charge?
If you're ever having trouble deciding how much to charge, here are things you should use to help determine prices.
You have to take into consideration that your equipment will have to be replaced, eventually.
You have to determine how much you would like to earn per hour. Take into account how much time you'll spend traveling, how much time will be spent taking the photos, how much time it takes to edit the photos, and how much time it takes to set up the session with the client.
You can also call around and see how much other professionals are being paid. For example, if you're taking photos of a sporting event, try to find out how much the officials are being paid.
No comments:
Post a Comment