What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing:
I do not charge by the hour, but I use that as a baseline for the (edited) photos that we can both aim for. Travel (if need be), location (outdoor/indoor/studio), and so forth will be determining factors, as well. We'll be able to discuss this in detail and I'll try to tailor to your budget accordingly.
Travel Fees:
This will be in effect if the location is more than 15-20 minutes away and/or requires a studio setup. The prices will very, but I am willing to tailor the overall package accordingly.
Late Fees:
I have a 14 minute grace period given to everyone before the shoot. After 15 minutes, however, small fees will be in order. They are as follows:
15+ Minutes Late - $15
30+ Minutes Late - $30
1 Hour Late - $60
Once we're headed towards an hour and a half, the shoot will need to be rescheduled, or further late fees will incur. Anything after an hour may or may not bite into another scheduled shoot, therefore I will be obligated to leave the location of the shoot, and the last fee incurred will still apply before the rescheduling process.
Extra services:
The following are the baselines of other freelancers I know, and their rates. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I'll get both of you in touch.
Videographer - $350 for 1 hour of shooting, 3-5 minute edit, and (potentially) travel included.
Unedited Photo Release Policy:
Unless for a wedding/event, unedited photos are not apart of the standard price/service. A lot of photographers don't give out unedited photos, as it's not a final product. I, however, tend to make exceptions. They are as follows:
#1: They are not to be posted online/to social media. If I'm giving you unedited photos, they are for your own personal viewing, and can be a far cry from my personal work, and I'd like to keep them separate from the public portfolio.
#2: They are not free. I charge per unedited photo, and it's a firm price.
Some exceptions apply (sponsorships, catalog, etc). But, this is the overall gist. If it were up to me, I'd give out unedited photos every shoot. But, given the industry and certain cons, that's not something I can afford to do.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I like to say hello, and ask if you'd like to either shoot this week(end), or next week(end). I'll also ask if there's any other details you'd like to go over. Once we have a day/timeline, location, and an ideal budget/price range in mind, I'll add you to my calendar, and reach out a few days before the shoot to make sure we're still on for the shoot.
Once we shoot, I'll either send you the photos digitally (by text or email via Shootproof). All the photos should be edited within a few days, or 1 week max.
Given today's climate, a deposit may or may not be required prior to shooting.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
If this is your first time looking/hiring a photographer, and you don't have an ideal budget, think of a number that would break the bank, and work your way to a lower number until you can see yourself spending that amount on some photos for the occasion. What number have you come back with? Present that to the photographer, and say that's your firm baseline, and go from there.
