Calling all Illinois Event photographers.

brandofamily

I'm new to photo sales and everyone I ask says I need to compare pricing w/ the local rates. But I can not seem to get any info in that vain. I've googled and searched the yellow pages even. But I'm coming up empty.
A link to your site would be fine. That way I could see what the "going rate" is in the Chicago land and suburban areas.
Thanks
Anthony

Shay Stephens

A bunch of hooey!

brandofamily wrote:

...everyone I ask says I need to compare pricing w/ the local rates.

That advice is like the blind leading the blind. How do you know that what the others are charging is even possible to earn a profit? The only way to get a handle on what to charge is to figure out what it costs you to be in business. Add up your costs, fees, equipment, replacements, insurance, payroll, etc, etc. Then add on taxes and profit at the end.

You can figure this all out by doing a decent business plan that is based on real world numbers. Then, once your business goes live, adjust your prices up as you get more info on hidden costs and expenses and how much profit you are actually taking home.

But whatever you do, don't base your prices on what others are charging. Base them on what you need. Anything else is foolish in my opinion.

DavidTO

Figure your rate.

brandofamily

Shay Stephens wrote:

That advice is like the blind leading the blind. How do you know that what the others are charging is even possible to earn a profit? The only way to get a handle on what to charge is to figure out what it costs you to be in business. Add up your costs, fees, equipment, replacements, insurance, payroll, etc, etc. Then add on taxes and profit at the end.

You can figure this all out by doing a decent business plan that is based on real world numbers. Then, once your business goes live, adjust your prices up as you get more info on hidden costs and expenses and how much profit you are actually taking home.

But whatever you do, don't base your prices on what others are charging. Base them on what you need. Anything else is foolish in my opinion.

Thanks. And I did read you sticky and Daivids article (or link to article).
I have a per hour rate set and surprisingly I have had takers at that rate so I comfortable that that part's OK ($100 per hour in case you wondered at all). Where I get stuck is print pricing... I'm not shooting fine art... Sports pics of kids and such. Or dancers at recitals... You can see my per image fees on my site.
I have sold a few in my limited time doing this, and think the fees are OK. But I'm never sure if I'm under valuing my work....
That's the info I'm hoping to find by this post....Per image pricing for basic event shots....

brandofamily

DavidTO wrote:

Figure your rate.

The other thing I'll add too, is that I continue to read posts from event photogs who say they get tons of "lookers" but few "buyers." So I'm wondering... pricing too high? Or work not so good? I think it could be either, but I'd hate for it to be a pricing issue.
I'd also like to see the sites and see how they diplay their goods, so to speak...
I could also do a bit of "networking" if I could link up w/ some photogs in my area...

Shay Stephens

Start experimenting. If you are not selling many prints then it can't hurt to try different prices. Try raising them, perhaps the perceived value of your prints is higher than you are charging. If that does not work, then try lowering the price and see what kind of activity that generates. Over time you should be able to find the sweet spot.

Don't be afraid to change prices daily if you feel the need. Place no artificial limits on when and how much you change the prices.

brandofamily wrote:

The other thing I'll add too, is that I continue to read posts from event photogs who say they get tons of "lookers" but few "buyers." So I'm wondering... pricing too high? Or work not so good? I think it could be either, but I'd hate for it to be a pricing issue.
I'd also like to see the sites and see how they diplay their goods, so to speak...
I could also do a bit of "networking" if I could link up w/ some photogs in my area...