Ameture photography what to charge???

**jccnewbie** · 12-07-2009, 05:56 PM

OK, so I am totally an ameture at photography but I love it and would like to start getting paid for it. I have a good camera, semi pro not slr. I do not claim to be a pro by any means, but I want to at least get some experience under my belt and save the money I make doing this for higher end equipment. I have taken a class in photoshop and I can work with that pretty well as far as light editing goes. I put out an ad and a lady want's me to do a photo booth for her wedding. She has a backdrop but no lighting which is ok because I have a good flash and a hot shoe. I'm just not sure what I should charge her. any ideas?

She also already noted that she was going to rent a photo booth but 500.00 was out of her range.

**drdeath613** · 12-07-2009, 06:00 PM

go half 250 with enuff word of mouth u could make some good cash but always charge a low amount just to get people talking about u if the subject comes up

**jccnewbie** · 12-07-2009, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by drdeath613

go half 250 with enuff word of mouth u could make some good cash but always charge a low amount just to get people talking about u if the subject comes up

That sounds like a good idea, but what time frame should I limit that to? I don't want to stand there for 10 hours taking snapshots....

I was thinking 250 minimum for two hours, then 100/hr after that.

**drdeath613** · 12-07-2009, 08:11 PM

id say 3 hours and 50 every hour after

remember ur new to the game u have to be willing to go that extra mile and ur word of mouth a good % of ur income

at least till u got a good portfolio

i say 3 hours cause that will give them wedding time and after party pictures

**marcus300** · 12-08-2009, 02:12 AM

Well done, post some of your pics in my Photo booth thread..

How did you find Photoshop to work with for a editing tool??

**lovbyts** · 12-08-2009, 02:36 AM

I like the Japanese photo booths, up skirt.... hehehehe

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by marcus300;49***93

Well done, post some of your pics in my Photo booth thread..

How did you find Photoshop to work with for a editing tool??

Photoshop is an amazing tool if you know how to use it. I bought a book on it that really isn't much help unless you are in advertising. The class I took helped me understand how to work in layers. Once you understand how it all works together photoshop is an extremely powerful tool to edit your pics in just about any way that you want. When I am stuck on something, all I do is google what I'm trying to do and there is always someone who has posted a video on how to do it. There are a lot of different editing programs that I have tried, but Photoshop works with the novice to the most advanced.

I will post some more pics in your photo booth thread, but I have to resize them first.

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 09:50 AM

Newest info from the customer. Now there is a new realm to think about, how much to charge to print her photos...... I guess that would depend on how many she wants.

dinner at 630 and reception program ends at 9ish with free and easy after that. Maybe dancing and more photobooth. So im estimating that the we can end around 10ish 1030? How much would be the charge for just photos alone and with printing? Im really hoping that your rates are something within my budget.Thanks!

**marcus300** · 12-08-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by jccnewbie

Photoshop is an amazing tool if you know how to use it. I bought a book on it that really isn't much help unless you are in advertising. The class I took helped me understand how to work in layers. Once you understand how it all works together photoshop is an extremely powerful tool to edit your pics in just about any way that you want. When I am stuck on something, all I do is google what I'm trying to do and there is always someone who has posted a video on how to do it. There are a lot of different editing programs that I have tried, but Photoshop works with the novice to the most advanced.

I will post some more pics in your photo booth thread, but I have to resize them first.

Ive been learning the Photoshop Elements 8 program, not bought it yet but its looks great and ive been looking at the new imac computer and their iphoto is a great little editing tool which is free with any lastest imac.. cant ait to see your pics.

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by marcus300

Ive been learning the Photoshop Elements 8 program, not bought it yet but its looks great and ive been looking at the new imac computer and their iphoto is a great little editing tool which is free with any lastest imac.. cant ait to see your pics.

I have heard great reviews on elements 8. Let me know how that works out for you.

**marcus300** · 12-08-2009, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by jccnewbie

I have heard great reviews on elements 8. Let me know how that works out for you.

still unsure which one to get the full blown version or elements, i think what i need it for i will be going with elements, there are loads of tutorials on youtube which are great, ive subscribed to loads.

**drdeath613** · 12-08-2009, 10:08 AM

lol the only problems i for see are when u do it by the pic u could be there all day taking pics for her to only pick 3

id tell her 10 pics min for 100 bucks and 5 bucks each there after i mean u dont wanna make a new married couple broke lol but limit it to 50 pics
cause once again u dont wanna take 200 pics for her to pics for her to pick 20

lil tips for u make she u get her and her father walking down the carpet
make sure u get father and daughters dance and husband and wifes first dance and kiss

lol i dont know how many times someone has missed one of those

**drdeath613** · 12-08-2009, 10:10 AM

lol get both u can always download them off of torrent and find the serials or patchs to make it work 100%

lol ill never buy a program again lol long live torrentz.com

**marcus300** · 12-08-2009, 10:13 AM

Ive known many guys catch virus's from there,

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by marcus300

Ive known many guys catch virus's from there,

I have a legit copy of CS3 if you are intersted. I have a neighbor in graphic design and her company gives all kids of free programs. I have never tried to send the ZIP files in an email but I could try if you like.

**Mooseman33** · 12-08-2009, 11:03 AM

u are going to get so much pvssy doing this at a wedding...

u lucky dog...

**DSM4Life** · 12-08-2009, 11:08 AM

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Mooseman33

u are going to get so much pvssy doing this at a wedding...

u lucky dog...

Well I'm married so I won't be so lucky. It always sucks when womn come on to me and I know I can't do anything.

**Mooseman33** · 12-08-2009, 11:22 AM

but u will be at a wedding...
rule states if ur at a wedding alone, u can bang all the pvssy u want.

its the rules man...

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mooseman33

but u will be at a wedding...
rule states if ur at a wedding alone, u can bang all the pvssy u want.

its the rules man...

LOL, I will have to put that in fine print in my contract.

**drdeath613** · 12-08-2009, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

lol ne1 notice hes got a small package

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by drdeath613

lol ne1 notice hes got a small package

It seems like you were the only one looking at his package......

**drdeath613** · 12-08-2009, 12:05 PM

lol no i was just the first to say somthing lol

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 12:07 PM

OK, you got me.

**jccnewbie** · 12-08-2009, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by drdeath613

lol the only problems i for see are when u do it by the pic u could be there all day taking pics for her to only pick 3

id tell her 10 pics min for 100 bucks and 5 bucks each there after i mean u dont wanna make a new married couple broke lol but limit it to 50 pics
cause once again u dont wanna take 200 pics for her to pics for her to pick 20

lil tips for u make she u get her and her father walking down the carpet
make sure u get father and daughters dance and husband and wifes first dance and kiss

lol i dont know how many times someone has missed one of those

I am not actually being a wedding photographer but I'm just taking portraits for the photo booth. Just some people posing themselves in front of a backdrop. In the time that she wants me there I could easily take well over 300 pics. If they want me to have the photos printed, pricing will depend on how many, what size and what quality of paper they want them printed on. I will have to check local rates and just add a markup for the time it takes me.