How to price your photography as a beginner

[@mendelsphotography]

100% said at the end of the video. So happy I found your channel. There is so much missing on photography education here on youtube and no one talks about it Only certain things. So when someone wants to learn or start there own photography business not always easy

[@TrentErwin]

Thank you 🙏🏼 yes there’s a lot of content missing regarding the business, how to get clients, price, invoice, etc. Planning to bring more content on all of that.

[@mendelsphotography]

@@TrentErwin Great and so happy, So many people will make things and put it behind a paywall well I understand that but at the same time what about those who can't afford it? But it's great to find the few people out there that make photography education out there and free. I grow up with film still fading into the digital age but the younger ones a lot of them don't understand anymore the real concept of photography... or just don't understand like how to start a business... Thanks again. I almost thought you had over 1K subscribers and then realized it was 289 but still your videos are amazing. Plus also 1st person to see mention WordPress for a website option. WordPress is amazing if you know how to use it and can be cheaper in a way (Big Fan of WordPress).

[@narsplace]

It is also important to have a good price in order to improve. Setting a good price initially will allow you to get a good quality lens that will make your customers so pleased that they paid for your service, even though you are new to the business side. PS:Only works if you take good shots already.

[@ViewportPlaythrough]

hi.. how would you convince a potential business partner that prices should be at least as high as you suggest? for context, his thought process about pricing is that other photographers that he sees around the target working location are dropping prices so low that if we offer services on a higher price point, then we wouldnt get any clients. but i am of the mindset that if those clients aint getting our prices, then they simply isnt our target clients at all and thats fine.

[@amosmensah3345]

Wow bro, thanks so much this really helped me better!

[@photobizmethod]

Nice breakdown. People need to see some reality of everything we pay for :)

[@TrentErwin]

Very much so! Thanks for watching 🤙🏼

[@guilladogui8259]

hello a have a question about photo delivery how many edited final photos should i provide ? lets say 2 hours wedding photoshoot ? do you give them all unedited photos or just edited photos ?

[@vincentobi8114]

Amazing work man.

[@TrentErwin]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@daleplatino]

I own an audio video recording studio and all the videos I watch of audio Studios never talk sence like this one. Thanks for the pep talk

[@TrentErwin]

You got it! Thanks for watching

[@EveInTheMachine]

This was really good advice. Just having the confidence is such a big part of it. Quick question - would you say the process is the same for determining a rate film/videography work?

[@TrentErwin]

Film/videography often has a lot more factors: editing time, number of delivered edits, complexity of edit, music licensing, pro voice overs… to name a few. I take these all into consideration when I’m doing discovery with a client.

[@EveInTheMachine]

@@TrentErwin Thank you, those are all really good points!

[@joespn18]

Very informative! Subbed👍

[@TrentErwin]

Thank you for the sub 🙏🏼

[@thekfcdriver264]

Thanks 🔥🙏🏾

[@SkyPathProductions]

Hi, we had a brief chat in one of your other videos. I just bought the Eos r5 and LOVE it!!!! I’m 15 and really want to turn filmmaking into a career. Do you have any suggests besides practice on how to enter the industry and what I should do now that would help me later? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

[@TrentErwin]

Bro, being 15 you’re already way ahead 👏🏻 1. Build a portfolio of diverse work 2. Provide a great experience for clients 3. Find a mentor who can help guide you 4. Learn how to edit efficiently

[@matthewandclank2]

I’ve been doing photography for the last decade. My quality is in the top five out of all the photographers in my town. I’ve always done free shoots because every time ask for any amount of money they go and find a free photographer. Hearing you say I should be charging $150 an hour is absolutely insane to me. I’d be lucky to make $100 for the shoot plus 100 edits. What am I doing wrong?

[@TrentErwin]

What niche of photography are you in? It really depends, because yes some niches are a race to the bottom. But other niches people aren’t going with the free option. Like in corporate world. People want to pay for your style, your deliverables, and your expertise. If the people you’re attracting are going with free options, I’m afraid you’re attracting the wrong audience. You need to put your time and attention toward an audience that sees your value and will pay for it.

[@711gratitude]

Are you also charging an editing fee or does your hourly rate include editing?

[@afro2193]

What do you think about charging per project? Only reason I'm asking this is because I'm a car photographer and if I'm shooting for a dealership is it better if I charge per car or per hour?

[@infochannel1763]

I am a beginner photographer and I am gng for a yoga workshop photography,I click like around 50 pics in 2 hours..how much should I charge now?based on pics or time?

[@TrentErwin]

Not all photos are created equal so it’s going to be hard to convince clients by charging by the amount of photos. Try to charge based on the project and how much of your time goes in

[@JakeWest-1]

I have a question but want to give context before asking the question. So, I have done a bit of traveling and took some really nice pictures, at least I think they are nice anyways. I have started a store on Etsy and now have a few of those photos on my shop for sale. My question goes along with pricing, but also the best medium to place a picture on. I have two photos that will go on canvas, and two that will be placed on acrylic. Which would you recommend or prefer, canvas or acrylic? And, the pricing goes based off cost to make, ship and so forth, so would you say 60% markup to cover cost, shipping would be a good rate? I ask cause I am new to this and want to make sure I am not pricing myself out of the market.

[@TrentErwin]

Hey Jake, I personally would prefer canvas. Although I know a lot of businesses are into acrylic. Depends on the style of photos you have -- more suited for home or for office? And then pricing, I think 50% markup is always a great starting point. So add up all of your costs (to make, ship and list) and then add your markup. I would also look at your competition and see where they are at. As a new seller on Etsy you don't want to be priced higher. You want to get visibility early so be competitive.

[@BrainDeadProductions_]

Thanks, king 👑

[@sahbabby7330]

Great video, For example if u charge $50 an hour and the shoot finish before an hour do u still get the full $50 ? since u got to edit the photo's as well .

[@TrentErwin]

Oh yeah I still get the full rate. If someone books me for an hour then that’s what they’re committed to. Doesn’t matter if I can do my job well and effective in less time.

[@LifeStyleByEchelon]

How do you calculate travel fee if out of town or radius ?

[@TrentErwin]

Half day rate + travel costs

[@keffreystellway7301]

What is the goofy music in the background? 🤨

[@TrentErwin]

Just some Lofi from Epidemic Sound

[@ivan_12345]

4:10 - you're probably joking with this list... nothing for beginners here, they can spend 10 times less -- beginner Canon is Canon 550D or similar for 100-150 usd

[@davidlandrum]

Don’t buy cheap. You’re gonna quickly outgrow it.

[@WtfOmw]

@@davidlandrumthis is where I messed up. I got the Sony a6000 instead of a Sony a6400. The a6000 is amazing but having a flip screen and being able to do 4k is something I really wanted. So now I bought a Sony a6700. I decided I might as well get a camera I know I will be satisfied with for a few years.

[@jhgandy2653]

So you're saying 500$ a wedding? I know photographers who charge 5k a wedding just for the photos not videography

[@TrentErwin]

Ha no I didn’t say charge $500 for a wedding. I’m saying you need to be very understanding of your costs and what goes into production as you set your prices so that you can have a healthy margin

[@Amelia-h2s]

Nobody wants to pay anything I’ve tried 50$ 100$ plus nobody wants to pay anything and they show up in crazy outfits not life there photos it’s almost not worth the trouble been doing it about 7 yrs 😂

[@TrentErwin]

I’m sorry to hear that 😞 three things you should do to get the right clients that pay: 1. Tie your price to the value you’re providing. Price is all about perceived value so increase how valuable you are by explaining it. 2. Maybe you’re in a small market where people spend too little. You might need to go to a larger market. 3. Build a better portfolio. It could be that your portfolio isn’t attracting higher paying clients.

[@realamericannegro977]

Who are your clients?