Photography prices ?

Question

Starting a photography business but need help with setting prices.What is a reasonable price for a 4x6..5x7.. & 8x10?

Answer 1

Don't just pick prices out of the air or use what someone ELSE says to charge. If you have no more control or knowledge of your "business" than that, then you are already in trouble.

You base your prices on what the cost is to you on a material basis, on what your time is valued to you, on what your skill is valued to be, and after all this is taken into account, you have to make a decent profit.

Remember, perception means a lot. Charge cheap prices, and you will be regarded as a cheap amateur. It is actually always better to charge much MORE than what you feel you should. As long as you have the quality to back it up, people will pay for the best.

Of course, just what to charge for prints is only a drop in the bucket to having a successful business, but that is another topic.

steve

Answer 2

I pay under $2.00 for an 8x10 print at my lab.

I charge based on usage and whether I make the print with my own hands or have a lab do a custom print to my specifications.

I have a 16x20 black and white print in my office I paid $1,200 for from a photo artist.

To be competitive and not cause a huge depression in the photographic community in your market, call around and ask for prices from your direct competitors ... that is what SCORE would tell you.

Answer 3

Reasonable?  Or what people charge?

I've seen as much as $75/sheet.  Figure a sheet can do 1 8"x10", 2 5"x7" and 3 4"x6".  So $37.50 for a 5"x7" and $25 for a 4"x6".  I charge $20/sheet.

Figure out where you're going to do your printing and what they'll charge you first.  Part of the fee you charge for prints, remember, is the time you take in processing the pictures, too.  You can always give a discount if they order a lot and you're feeling guilty, but you can't jack the prices up at the last minute if you don't feel you're getting enough.