Well, I started applying for jobs today, and started thinking. If I work over night shifts, I could get home in time to get the kids up, and off to school, then sleep during the day. Get up when they come home, stay up with them and hubby in the evenings, and go to work.
I think right now, that might be the best plan, because we'd still get to spend time together in the evenings as a family, but I would be home during the day in case the kids needed me at school.
It also got me thinking about pictures. Actually, a post here earlier about the high cost of school photos got me thinking about pictures. I kind of wish I had been thinking this 2 weeks ago, but alas, that didn't happen. I would like to try and take some photos for people, and earn some extra spending cash for Christmas.
Here's my thoughts- I don't have access to a high quality printer, like photo labs do, so I would offer a disc of the photos for people, instead of prints. I could offer prints, I suppose, but it would be cheaper for the person to do it, as I would charge more than the stores charge me to get it done, to make it worth my time.
Without access to a studio, I would be relying on outdoor shots, only. I don't know of any really good indoor public places I could use for photos yet, either.
I'm just not sure, I guess. I'm also wondering about prices. What should I charge? I would offer up 1-2 hours to take the photos, and a disc of all their photos, with close to 200 photographs on the disc to choose from, if not more.
I also can edit photos afterwords for things like removing blemishes, softening the background, giving it selective coloring, or black and white, upping the color quality of the photo, etc. I think I would charge separate for that, though.
I would also post examples of past work, so they know what I have done in the past, both edited, and unedited.
Any thoughts?
If I lived in your area, based on these photos, would you hire me? What would you be willing to pay? And most importantly, am I nuts to even consider it?
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Comments: 18
I do know this though-- others have done it and are very successful but I know its a lot of work. And, I would totally pay someone, you even, to edit photos that I have already taken. Honestly, I see so many beautifully edited photos here on Gather and I am horrible at it--totally botch it up no matter how much I play around with stuff.
I seriously would pay someone to edit and do all that cool stuff with my family pics. I am not joking so let me know what you decide....or even if you decide not to pursue the photo thing but have time and can want to do something like that on the side.
I don't think you are crazy to offer your services. It doesn't hurt to see if you get any takers.
Around here people who are just starting out tend to charge $30-60 for a 2 hour session.
In Grand Ledge there is a trail that runs along the river from the island park to Fitzgaradle there are a ton of great photo opts there. It was about a mile walk or so along the trail.
To start out I would offer cds so that people can print there own photos. Then charge extra for editing. Let me know what you are charging ;) I need to have our family pics taken and would like to do them outside before the baby comes.
I have toyed with the idea also, but have NO idea how to edit the photos and I'm not great with human subjects. I prefer wildlife and other objects.
Good luck :~)
You can view my Lola Bonita Photography website to see some of the sessions I've done and my price list. I haven't updated the website with my most recent photo shoot and some of them are missing but it will give you an idea of what I have set up. *there's a link at the bottom of the page that says 'older posts', click on that to see even more shoots* I don't have a studio either and shoot outside, but I like the look of outside photos better anyway, so it works out.
Like others have said already, the prices vary drastically from place to place so Craigslist is a good place to get pricing ideas. My prices are VERY low compared to many others in my area and since I've gotten a lot more practice, I am ready to increase my rates. Start off low and offer services/perks that other photographers don't offer and people will choose you -- then as your business grows you can increase your rates. :O)
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
I've posted an article about my final decision on the matter. For now, I'm going to offer free photography sessions to friends & family for the fall, to help build up a portfolio, and help people out- this allows them to have some good photos taken, without worrying about the cost.
Then, come Spring, I hope to have a website, and advertising launched.