FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing for Smiles 4 Miles is hopefully fairly simple! :) **** PLEASE NOTE THE PRICING SYSTEM BELOW IS IN GENERAL - accommodations can be made and each situation is different. It is best to review your event with me for a final price.**** Birthday Parties: $6 per child for paint only / $9 per child for paint/tattoos plus $30 service fee ($85 minimum for all parties) (please note that I can paint 10-20 faces within one hour) Each party and situation is specific, it's best that you contact us with details of your event so we can offer an accurate rate - no one price fits all and we want to work with you! We'd be available for the duration of the party as I don't charge by the hour and stay by the hour to ensure that each child has been happily painted and tattooed. This helps put what can usually turn out to be a stressful and rushed event at ease. The artist can stop while other party events need to take place and the artist will offer 'line stickers' to the children so they don't lose their spot in line. My aim is to make YOUR party enjoyable for YOU TOO!!!! *Please note - once everyone has received a tattoo and painting, I will begin to pack up. I will stay as long as it takes to ensure all are tattooed and painted, but will leave when I am through. Corporate Events/Festivals: PER HOUR: $135 for the first hour / $50 each additional hour (1 hour minimum) This is best suited for corporate events, reunions and large parties, where there is no specific head count of those interested in our services. There will be a flat $35 service fee for the painters travel expense, material and services. There is a 1 hour minimum for per hour events, with the 1st hour being $135 (which includes the service/travel fee) and each additional hour being $50. For large events or events in excess of 4 hours, we offer special discounts and the $35 service fee will be waived - contact us to review. This type of billing structure will ensure that the painter will be there for the duration of the event and services will be available to all who are interested.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
Recently I have been lucky enough to paint with a nation-wide show called Discover the Dinosaurs. This show is a TON of fun. About once a year the traveling show will come to nearby cities like Baltimore, DC, VA and myself and 2-3 other professional painters will paint all day long over the course of the 3 day show. This is a LOT of work for us painters as it is nonstop from the time we sit down until the end of the show - but so worth it!
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
How much WORK goes into it. Most face painters/body artists will have a similar complaint - clients remarking a the cost of our services. So much goes into this business, when you hire a professional you are hiring someone who has spent countless hours researching and studying techniques. And there are many to learn and master to become a 'professional' quality painter. Not to mention the cost of education - from seminars, videos, books, paint and material - while we all have a talent, it has to be cultivated, we have to work at it. The material - there is paint at your local craft store that anyone can put on your child, but craft store paint is for crafting. The paint a professional painter uses is FDA approved, cosmetic grade makeup. Many of which contain essential oils and there are even gluten free and vegan brands. the cost of advertising, display material - long gone are the days of a local high school student painting smile faces with acrylic paint - this is a real business, a legitimate way of making a living for so many artists, and our canvas are your most prized possession - your children. Be smart with who you hire and feel confident when you hire a professional, the price reflects the hard work, the quality materials and the professional skill that you and your children deserve.