Pricing and Rates
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Local
(Within 35 Miles of 94541)
Zero to one hour portrait session: $300
One to two hour portrait session: $400
Two to three hour portrait session: $500
Three to four hour portrait session: $600
Anything over four hours (full day): $1,200
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Travel
(Driving distance but beyond 35 Miles from 94541)
Half day travel rate (0 to 4 hours): $1,100
Full day travel rate (4+ hours): $2,200
**Rates are subject to change based on each project. Rental fees will be charged on an as-needed basis. Reasonable bio breaks are built into the time allotted for shoots.
Here’s a little backstory on the factors that play into my pricing
Equipment - My current kit has been accumulated over many years and requires maintenance and professional cleaning. My kit includes camera bodies, lenses, flashes, lights, tripods, recorders, microphones, step stools, travel protective cases, etc.
Insurance - In the Bay we all have heard about the uptick in theft recently, so insurance is a must.
Education - I participate in seminars at least quarterly to learn from other photographers. I take courses on different styles of photography and listen to books and tutorials discussing different rules and techniques relating to composition, exposure, usage of props, and how to make models feel comfortable in front of a camera. This takes time and costs money.
Software - Photoshop and Lightroom as well as video editing software, computers, hard drives, SD cards, CF Express cards, card readers, etc.
Transportation - Each time I shoot I travel, which means regular vehicle maintenance such as gas, and also replacements on my car like tires and oil changes. Sometimes there are other costs like tolls and parking fees.
Rental Fees - Sometimes shoots might call for specific things to accomplish the look that I don’t have. Things like telephoto lenses, lights, backdrops, tables, and canopies can be rented to keep costs down as opposed to buying them.
Time spent - A shoot day entails communicating with a client ahead of time, brainstorming, location scouting, packing my equipment, traveling to the shoot location, setting up, shooting, breaking down, getting home, culling (which takes the longest for me because I might deliver 100 shots out of 4,000 shots taken), editing, and managing delivery of the pictures. So it might be 45 minutes actually behind the camera, but I pour my heart into each shoot I do.
Props - Especially for my shy models I like to bring props to give them something to do with their hands. From champagne for graduates to flowers for engaged couples, I find it helps make the shoots more comfortable.
Physical Preparation - In photography it tends to be that the good equipment is heavy. I find when I exercise regularly, it helps me to feel less pain in my arms and back and legs after shooting. If you have shot with me you have probably seen me get into some super low squats and tilt in odd ways to get the angles I’m looking for. I still definitely get those back pains and use heating pads after every time I shoot to help soothe the aches and pains, but lifting heavy weights has helped prepare me for those multi-day shoots.
Marketing - Business cards, flyers, prints, admission to networking events, etc. helps me to meet clients and be able to shoot.
Taxes - Uncle Sam takes anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of everything right off the top.
Bay Area Cost of Living - A girl has to eat, pay a mortgage, etc.