Comments on: LIME’s Happy Hour : Episode 11

By: pepin

pepin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:33:57 +0000

Thanks for the info, Phil.

That is truly alarming.

There’s no way to tell what will happen to these artists if the default. It’s either their work loses value or gains value.

I really hope we survive this hard times and pray that the future will be truly better for everybody.

By: Cristóvão

Cristóvão — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:46:02 +0000

Less Videos, More Podcast’s!!!

By: Erik

Erik — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:30:49 +0000

I agree that pricing yourself fairly in relation to the market and your real cost is the ideal way to go. When you’re first starting out though you have to find some way to compete and gain the attention of clients. If you don’t do that with price, what else can you do? You have to get work to add to the portfolio, but how do you get that work while charging an honest rate?

Thanks for all the work you guys are putting into the site. I’ve been reading Bert’s stuff for well over a year and have learned a lot!

Erik

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:22:58 +0000

If you’re having a hard time getting a weekly podcast; maybe you could have guest bloggers/podcasters à la Scott Kelby.

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:57:52 +0000

The Vivitars you mention in the podcast are actually pretty good in the wet too. The rain on one shoot killed a minolta DSLR, 350D and an SB800 while a pair of vivitars kept flashing despite having water in the cavity behind the zoom!

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:50:14 +0000

Speeing of money, it seems that even the big shots are having some trouble these days: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/feb/24/annie-leibovitz-art-pawn

By: CallumW

CallumW — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:24:07 +0000

Hi Marcel
I see on Pieter’s website he offers the same for his 1hr engagement sessions, so that seems like a fair price.
Here in the UK you will normally get a 1hr portrait shoot for £150 with 2-3 prints (depending on the package) and £230 for a 2 hour shoot with 8 prints.

I’ve seen it as low as £89 for an hour for a studio with ALL the prints ready within 2hours, but that to me screams ‘production line’ and no creativity or care in the photo editing (if there is any). As Bert said, if you charge too low then people will be suspicous.

Weddings here start at about £850 for a basic package and add £100-£150 for each optional extra (reception, bride getting ready, extra shooter etc..) Well known experienced shooters start at about £2.5k for a wedding
Most prices are shown less UK VAT.

Contrary to what Pieter and Bert were saying about hobby/part time shooters using photography to add an extra income and so selling your time for less than a full time pro, I’ve found it to be the opposite.
I don’t ‘need’ to drop prices compared to a full time pro as photography isn’t my main income and so I’ll only take a job when the price is right to make it worth my while. I suppose in that respect it’s an advantage to have an alternate income

Thanks,
CallumW

By: Marcel

Marcel — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:24:37 +0000

Hi guys,

Thanks for the podcast! Here in the Netherlands a lot of photographers ask peanuts for there work what really sucks
because since this year I started as a freelancer and when I ask to much the skip the shoot I know its also a little my own fault because I also have done a lot of free (cheap) shoots But I think I made a nice price now for my clients. 150 euro for a studio shoot + 3 retouched photo’s. For every extra (retouched) photo I charge 25 euro. So what do you guys think still to cheap???
I don’t really have a BIG studio its a small home studio with 4 Bowens lights a this moment.

Thanks,
Marcel

By: Sander van Leeuwen

Sander van Leeuwen — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:09:11 +0000

Hi Bert & Peter

I really liked the main segment! For me photography is still a hobby so it helps me to think for the long way.

ciao! have a nice weekend.

By: CallumW

CallumW — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:48:21 +0000

Thanks Guys
I’m looking to go full time away from the day job and the discussion on pricing has been so helpful you wouldn’t believe….. I owe you beers.

I’ve done some private work and used existing pro’s website prices as a guide (and charge 90%), so I know I’m not underselling myself, but your explanation of how to work out your hourly minimum is great.
Especially the advise to contact my bank.
I already have an account manager so why not get him earning his salary :o) You knever know I may even get a job out of it too with the networking

Ive been so busy learning the craft and both this podcast and your marketing ones have covered the two areas that I was stuck on and delaying figuring out.
So so so useful

I’m waiting for the next 5 day workshops to appear as I couldn’t make the April one. If I get into a future one I’ll bring beers (and a 6 pack of diet coke for Pieter ;o) )

CallumW

P.S. You can drop the Vivitars from 1/16 to 1/32 by covering half the flash face. 1/64 by covering 3/4 the face and so on…. ;o)