Do I Price High or Low

jandrewnelson

Do I set my price low to get the job? or High and hope for the best?

I have a potential client in Winder, GA (about three hours away). He wants before and after pictures of 5 models (he's a make up artist) to use on his website + a few head and shoulder shots of himself.

I could use the money, so do I price it low (transportation + a few bucks) or should I price it at what I would like to get (transportation + a few hundred) and hope for the best?

Thanks for the advice and guidance.

Jerry Nelson
www.Meesoon.Smugmug.com

johng

Price it at your going rate. Price it low and that's all your product will be perceived as - cheap. Next time he wants work, he'll want you at a cheap price again.

Cygnus Studios

johng wrote:

Price it at your going rate.

If you do not have a price yet, you really need to sit down and figure out what your time is worth, factor in a percentage of what it will take to replace your gear, what expenses a normal shoot will cost you, what misc expenses occur on most shoots, factor in a percentage of your normal operating expenses. Then finally determine what your market will bear.

Generally asking what should I charge is way too broad. Some photographers work for as little as $8 per hour and some charge thousands of dollars a day.

You are the only person who can determine what your time is worth.
Then your clients will decide if they want to pay that rate.

swintonphoto

Just don't sell yourself short.

bendruckerphoto

Definitely don't go cheap. While your client might not take out your previous invoice and demand the same price, if he sees your price has risen 25% in a year (since you were lowballing), he'll be upset.

jandrewnelson

Thanks everyone for the help!

Jerry
www.Meesoon.Smugmug.com