Advice for potential rate/releases

[PackLight]

An amature that just wants to make a few bucks so he works cheap, is the same guy we hear some Pro's complaining about all the time that they think mess the market up and take work away from them.

If I wanted to go cheap, I'd say $50 and I'll give you everything hi-res and do whatever you want with it. I honestly don't know what the normal, fair-market rates would be, which is why I asked it here.

I understand, you mentioned hobby rates though and that is why I said that.
Nothing wrong with doing work on the side like this.
Be fair to yourself though, price close to what the market goes. If you price fairly then you can't be the guy they complain about.
$50 sounds cheap unless you see a way it will generate some more cash with prints etc....
Unless your doing it for friends and family then pricing doesn't matter at all.

 

[Drizzt321]

An amature that just wants to make a few bucks so he works cheap, is the same guy we hear some Pro's complaining about all the time that they think mess the market up and take work away from them.

If I wanted to go cheap, I'd say $50 and I'll give you everything hi-res and do whatever you want with it. I honestly don't know what the normal, fair-market rates would be, which is why I asked it here.

I understand, you mentioned hobby rates though and that is why I said that.
Nothing wrong with doing work on the side like this.
Be fair to yourself though, price close to what the market goes. If you price fairly then you can't be the guy they complain about.
$50 sounds cheap unless you see a way it will generate some more cash with prints etc....
Unless your doing it for friends and family then pricing doesn't matter at all.

Heh. Nowhere did I mention _actually_ charging $50, I was saying if I wanted to be that kind of cheap amateur photographer the guys who actually need to make a living from hate, I'd charge that.

 

[PackLight]

An amature that just wants to make a few bucks so he works cheap, is the same guy we hear some Pro's complaining about all the time that they think mess the market up and take work away from them.

If I wanted to go cheap, I'd say $50 and I'll give you everything hi-res and do whatever you want with it. I honestly don't know what the normal, fair-market rates would be, which is why I asked it here.

I understand, you mentioned hobby rates though and that is why I said that.
Nothing wrong with doing work on the side like this.
Be fair to yourself though, price close to what the market goes. If you price fairly then you can't be the guy they complain about.
$50 sounds cheap unless you see a way it will generate some more cash with prints etc....
Unless your doing it for friends and family then pricing doesn't matter at all.

Heh. Nowhere did I mention _actually_ charging $50, I was saying if I wanted to be that kind of cheap amateur photographer the guys who actually need to make a living from hate, I'd charge that.

 

[cayenne]

I think it can be safely generalized that anyone wanting to go pro...will be coming up from doing it purely as a hobby.

And starting off, with no portfolio...and needing to learn the ropes about photography, and these days...a LOT about PP, well, you just can't start out asking a lot of money.

I'm planning to start shooting some local bands here, a friend of mine likes what I've shown him so far...and he's involved with bars around town and local bands...so, I'm going to shoot a lot after the first of the year, basically free...and for drinks.

This will allow me to learn how to shoot lowlight indoors, settings that work...and PP aftewards.
I'll get some free drinks...and the bands will get some good shots. Basically the foot in the door thing.
You gotta learn somewhere...and getting experience and contacts should be good, no?

That being said...as I go along, while I think it would be amazing to be able to quit my "day job" and do photography and videography full time, I dunno if I could pull in what I do with my current day job.

Starting out, I'm gonna be happy to get some extra $$ at some point, to feed my current addiction I've gotten since getting this great camera.

However, I am the type always looking to make a dollar.

I recently watched a week long series a week ago with a wedding (primarily) photographer, Sal Cinciotta. This guy started his wedding photog business basically in 2008...I think he cleared maybe $16K or so that year...something fairly low.
This year, he's gonna gross over $1M...and I can see from the series he gave and how he operates...it is possible.

I need to learn more about actual shooting and learning the camera...but who knows...in a year or so, I'm going to try to model shooting on his business plan.

Anyway, I'm rambling...forgot where I'm going with all of this...
But hey, you gotta start somewhere. Free is usually the starting place....once you get your feet wet, and learn what to do...well, sure, you gotta figure what you're worth.

One thing I got out of the talk by Sal....he found the more money he charged...the more business he got and the move value people place on his work.

A very interesting story. I watched it live for free, but was so intrigued I bought the lecture for $149...it is more than that...but pretty interesting.

The show was here:
http://www.creativelive.com/courses/wedding-photography-business-boot-camp-sal-cincotta

I'm not associated with this guy...but I was inspired on how to view turning this hobby, eventually into a business....and after the first of the year when I get a bit more time...that's the way I'm moving.

C