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 (http://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]

Price it at your going rate.

:agree

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 (http://www.Meesoon.Smugmug.com)