OMG Senior Pictures $$$$

[csharpwv]

Well said. I am a small town photographer, it is just a hobby, I always tell the people Im photographing (who is usually family, friends, friends family, co worker, etc) that I am NOT out to make a ton of money. The CD that their photos came on are very inexpensive, I do all my portraits outdoors or at a location of their choice, no studio, I enjoy taking their portraits, I DO claim the money I make as I DO keep a reciept book and turn in at tax time. My photographs I feel are very quality, I have never had anyone anything less than pleased with them. I am a teacher and so is DH, this is not a FT job, just do maybe 15-20 sessions per year for people other than my own children for fun, a little extra money, etc.

There is no reason for ppl to be passing judgement on others they know nothing about on here. That is fine if someone charges thousands for photos and if someone does if for a hundred or two. As long as the customer is pleased and it is legal, enjoy!

As posted in my PP - I do the same type of work - for the same type of people - for the same reason. I LOVE doing it - and right now I can't afford to have a studio, pay rent, buy more equipment, etc etc the list goes on.

If you are a full time photographer and you are finding that your 'competition' is the shoot-and-burn crowd then you really need to assess your business model and figure out why you are competing for the same crowd. Someone willing to pay $7,000 for a photographer isn't going to go to a 'shoot-and-burn' photographer unless the quality of your work doesn't equal the price. It's a common business principle - know your target audience. Don't grouse around about what other photographers are doing - or are not doing - set yourself apart.

With the rise of access to technology, and the affordability digital imaging - just about anyone can take a photo that looks half way decent - BUT - if you are looking for artistic work - by an artistic photographer - you should be willing to pay the artist what the photos are worth to you.

You can go to Wal-Mart and get horrible photos taken by someone just hired off the street - or you can find a professional or semi-professional to create artistic photos that are not only expressive of the subject, but also expressive in that the artist's best work.

Everyone wants quality - but few are willing to pay for it. Even fewer appreciate the price - the quality of work - and the artistic expression involved.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I just bought DS's Sr Pics. It was a $65 sitting fee and the pics were 560.01 We had to use the photographer the school selects to get his pic in the annual.

I've seen lots of people who didn't have that requirement get some nice JCP pics with the coupon.....3.99 a sheet and no sitting fee.

Using a local perosn who photgraphs is great too becasue you can go to locations that mean something and it can be much cheaper.

back in my day it was one pose with a drape for the girls and tux for boys. Things have changed

I got my sons first High school yearbook order form. On the back it talks about senior pictures. They are drape for the girls and tux supplied by the photographer for the boys. I was surprised they still do that.

My son has a few more years before he needs his senior pictures so they may change before then.

 

[Abbie]

As posted in my PP - I do the same type of work - for the same type of people - for the same reason. I LOVE doing it - and right now I can't afford to have a studio, pay rent, buy more equipment, etc etc the list goes on.

If you are a full time photographer and you are finding that your 'competition' is the shoot-and-burn crowd then you really need to assess your business model and figure out why you are competing for the same crowd. Someone willing to pay $7,000 for a photographer isn't going to go to a 'shoot-and-burn' photographer unless the quality of your work doesn't equal the price. It's a common business principle - know your target audience. Don't grouse around about what other photographers are doing - or are not doing - set yourself apart.

With the rise of access to technology, and the affordability digital imaging - just about anyone can take a photo that looks half way decent - BUT - if you are looking for artistic work - by an artistic photographer - you should be willing to pay the artist what the photos are worth to you.

You can go to Wal-Mart and get horrible photos taken by someone just hired off the street - or you can find a professional or semi-professional to create artistic photos that are not only expressive of the subject, but also expressive in that the artist's best work.

Everyone wants quality - but few are willing to pay for it. Even fewer appreciate the price - the quality of work - and the artistic expression involved.

You know, I think you have basically said the same thing as the few other professional photographers on this thread but in a much more eloquent and graceful way. Artistry is involved and professional photographers have that element to consider....but just like other forms of artistic expression, it will not appeal to all and everyone has their idea of what they will choose to spend. I can admire beautiful things but it doesn't mean I'm going to make the choice to purchase.

Your point re:the accessibility of digital technology is true. I can take my (relatively) cheap digital camera and produce photos that are to my liking, even though I do not have an artistic bone in my body. As long as it suits my purposes, it's fine, although I recognize it's nowhere near what a professional would consider "quality". I only have to please me.

OP to answer your question, the prices you quoted are well out of the range we see in our area. We are forced to use the photographer (huge chain) that is contracted with our school system for the yearbook shot, otherwise the only expense is the $10 sitting fee. For my senior this year I actually liked his proofs from this photographer so I purchased a package that consisted of an 8x10, 4 5x7, 8 3x5 and two different poses for about $100. They turned out great and were exactly what I wanted for a decent price. It was a good value for me, whereas spending $500-1000 would not have held the same value for price. (Of course dummy me forgot to order wallets so I have to back and do that but that's only about an extra $20.)

 

[disney4us2002]

....

OP to answer your question, the prices you quoted are well out of the range we see in our area. We are forced to use the photographer (huge chain) that is contracted with our school system for the yearbook shot, otherwise the only expense is the $10 sitting fee. For my senior this year I actually liked his proofs from this photographer so I purchased a package that consisted of an 8x10, 4 5x7, 8 3x5 and two different poses for about $100. They turned out great and were exactly what I wanted for a decent price. It was a good value for me, whereas spending $500-1000 would not have held the same value for price. (Of course dummy me forgot to order wallets so I have to back and do that but that's only about an extra $20.)

Wow, also in Maryland here and I thought most of the surrounding area used the same company (Prestige by Lifetouch). The cheapest package with 2 poses on my order form is $309. Figures we liked 4 poses. Just placed our order and total was $480. I believe older son's pictures 4 years ago were around $300. I think it's a racket. There is not a chance that a 30-minute sitting and the cost of producing my pictures cost almost $500. Then with copyright infringement, we can't even make our own copies.

 

[Abbie]

Wow, also in Maryland here and I thought most of the surrounding area used the same company (Prestige by Lifetouch). The cheapest package with 2 poses on my order form is $309. Figures we liked 4 poses. Just placed our order and total was $480. I believe older son's pictures 4 years ago were around $300. I think it's a racket. There is not a chance that a 30-minute sitting and the cost of producing my pictures cost almost $500. Then with copyright infringement, we can't even make our own copies.

I agree. They schedule them in five-minute blocks....just how much "artistry" is going into that?? I never purchased from them for my older two, we just got lucky that DS's turned out well so I bought them. Ours is Victor O'Neill by the way, and they hold the contract for our county (found this out when I called to complain one year about the terrible job they were doing with the sports teams photos! lol)

 

[Wisdomandgrace]

I'm a professional photographer and all this talk makes me a little sad, but I do understand. What people don't realize is the time and effort it take to take grate photos. Not to mention the money. I can keep my cost low because I don't have a studio and I refuse to go into debt by buying the most expensive equipment, but I still have to buy it some equipment. Yes the printing is Cheep but you not just get printing your getting quality and a service that you may not know how to do. If you can do it your self by all means do it. My clients come to me because they don't know how and for the experience, quality and service. I hate it if some one take my DVDs that I took hrs taking time editing them and making them look perfect just so they can ask to just get the DVD so they can get it printed at Wal Mart. Really! Wal Mart prints are horrible and all that work just gets unappreciated. I don't give DVD's out anymore (unless they buy the top package Its only 150) and I'm not expensive. I agree the $3000 is a little excessive. I don't even charge that for Weddings. If I charge that where I lived I would get run out of town. I charged 150 for Senior pack that's including a photo book and a big print package and DVD. I don't have overhead and all my equipment is paid off. That's why I can charge cheaper then other photographers in my area. That's also why photography is expensive they have over head and well the rent needs to get paid for the month and so dose that professional camera they are using. Believe me a point a shoot camera is nothing compared to a DSLR. Night and day difference. I do understand years ago I was the saying the same thing why is it so dang expensive to get my kids photo taken now I know, but I do understand. Long time ago I use to go to wal mart but I hated the quality I got their. I started going to portrait innovations but every time I went there was always a long line in the waiting room with a bunch of other little kids and family it was soooo crowded and there were so in a hurry to get the photos done. So that's when I started on my journey on learning the art and I love it. I took time to take classes and to learn from the top photographers and to learn photo editing and learn to edit like a pro and I learn Photoshop its a big program and it took time to learn it. It all comes with a price, everyone wonders why I don't charge more, its because I was that person that could not afford a big pack. I was the one who always just got the $10 pack but I never got the service or the quality I wanted. A little tid bit from a photographer.

 

[pyrxtc]

First of all, this thread is 2 years old. Please don't dredge up old posts. 2nd, spell check is your friend and if you really area pro photographer then this paragraph would have lost me as your client with it's errors alone. I'm sure lots of other people wouldn't go to you either.

I'm a professional photographer and all this talk makes me a little sad, but I do understand. What people don't realize is the time and effort it take to take grategreat photos. Not to mention the money.incomplete sentence I can keep my costcosts low because I don't have a studio and I refuse to go into debt by buying the most expensive equipment, but I still have to buy it no it required some equipment. Yes should be a comma the printing is Cheepcheap, no capital but you not just get printing your getting quality and a service that you may not know how to do. If you can do it your self yourself by all means do it. My clients come to me because they don't know how how to what ? and for the experience, quality and service. I hate it if some one take takes my DVDs that I took hrs taking time time to do what ? then comma editing them and making them look perfect making the DVD's look perfect ? just so they can ask to just get the DVD so they can get it printed at Wal Mart. Really! should be a question mark when you ask something Wal Mart prints are horrible and all that work just gets unappreciated. I don't give DVD's out anymore (unless they buy the top package Its only 150) and I'm not expensive. I agree the $3000 is a little excessive. I don't even charge that for Weddings lowercase weddings. If I charge that where I lived comma I would get run out of town. I charged 150 $150 with a dollar sign for a senior pack but mostly called a session with prints Senior again lower case senior pack that's including a photo book and a big print package and DVD. I don't have overhead and all my equipment is paid off. That's why I can charge cheaper charge less then than theother photographers in my area. That's also why photography is expensive comma they have over head and well comma or take out the well the rent needs to get paid for the month and so dose does not dose, it's not a dose of medicine that professional camera they are using. Believe me a point a shoot camera is nothing compared to a DSLR. Night and day difference. incomplete sentence, should connect by comma with prior sentence I do understand years ago I was the saying the same thing comma and quotation marks why is it so dang expensive to get my kids photo taken question mark then quotation marks and comma. now I know, but I do understand where you are coming from ?. A Long time ago I use to go to wal mart Walmart but I hated the quality I got their there. I started going to Portrait Innovations but every time I went there, there was always a long line in the waiting room with a bunch of other little kids and family. It was soooo crowded and there were so in in sucha hurry to get the photos done. So that's when I started on my journey on learning the art and I love it.

spacing for two paragraphs to make it easier to read.

I took time to take classes and to learn from the top photographers and to learn photo editing and learn to edit like a pro. and no and I learned Photoshop, its a big program and it took time to learn it. It all comes with a price, everyone wonders why I don't charge more,. not comma It"s because I was that person that could not afford a big pack. I was the one who always just got the $10 pack but I never got the service or the quality I wanted. A little tid bit from a photographer.

I hope that in the future, when you put yourself out there as a professional anything that you double check what your write and what you are saying before posting it on a public forum.

If you are on here for Disney stuff then I welcome you but I just couldn't gt over trying to decipher what you wrote in your large paragraph that should have been divided into at least two of them. I am not trying to be rude to you but as someone who would not dare to call herself a professional photographer, I take it to heart when checking out those who do.

 

[jenseib]

First of all, this thread is 2 years old. Please don't dredge up old posts. 2nd, spell check is your friend and if you really area pro photographer then this paragraph would have lost me as your client with it's errors alone. I'm sure lots of other people wouldn't go to you either.



I hope that in the future, when you put yourself out there as a professional anything that you double check what your write and what you are saying before posting it on a public forum.

If you are on here for Disney stuff then I welcome you but I just couldn't gt over trying to decipher what you wrote in your large paragraph that should have been divided into at least two of them. I am not trying to be rude to you but as someone who would not dare to call herself a professional photographer, I take it to heart when checking out those who do.

Amen!

 

[MrsPete]

Several random thoughts, no organization:

- I've asked my high school seniors over the years, and most of them seem to spend $200-300 on senior portraits. A few spend more, a few spend less, but that seems to be the average. I think this is down over the last 2-3 years. What's really down is wallets; seniors used to exchange these with friends -- that doesn't happen much anymore. It seems that society is turning towards valuing digital pictures on Facebook and other social media more than print pictures. Personally, I think this is a mistake; these are here today, gone tomorrow. You won't have access to those online pictures in 10, 20, 30 years. How many people ever actually print pictures taken on camera phones? Framed pictures or pictures in an album will always be available.

- Unless you're in a private school, a no-cost YEARBOOK ONLY picture option will exist inside your school. This may not give you the option to buy pictures or to see proofs, but JUST being in the yearbook should cost nothing. This option may not be heavily advertised; our photographer certainly doesn't push it because it's not profitable to him. And few students choose the free yearbook-only choice -- the vast majority (or their parents) want some senior pictures.

- It's unfair to compare the cost of pictures you take yourself to pictures taken /printed by a professional photographer. You have to realize that the photographer has a huge investment in equipment, education, overhead -- he or she has to charge enough to make it worthwhile. Also, don't underestimate the time it takes to retouch and fulfill orders. If the photographer spends an hour with you, that hour isn't the sum total of the time it takes to create your portraits. You have to expect to pay this person for his or her time. The OP's prices are way out of line -- you shouldn't have to spend thousands -- but at the same time, you can't expect to get really good pictures for $15.

- Lots of things are available at different price points. For example, you can get a $10 haircut at Super Clips or a $100+ haircut at a fancy salon. Occasionally you might get a fantastic cut for $10 (or an awful cut for $100), but usually the quality will be reflected in the price. Same thing is true with pictures. I can certainly tell the difference between pictures made at JC Penny by a photographer (with a medium-grade camera, fixed lighting, and an unchanging focal point -- things that allow a person with 20 minutes of training to snap the picture) and a top-notch photographer.

- I don't think the average person values really good photography -- if they did, people'd quit showing me substandard pictures taken on camera phones. I can absolutely tell the difference between most "I'm really good with my Cannon Rebel" backyard photographers and those who have had real training.

- To turn the topic emotional, every so often one of our students dies. Know what the family ALWAYS does? They call the school to see if they can order more of the last school picture -- especially if those were senior pictures. Most of us won't lose our children in their teens, but we will all want to look back and remember just how they looked when they were 18 and just stepping out into the world on their own. Good quality printed pictures are absolutely worth the cost, and they don't have to cost thousands.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Check and see if your county has a camera club and see if you can get one of the members to take your photo's. Our local club is on facebook and you can view the photo's each person has taken and then send a message to that person on FB.

 

[jenseib]

This thread is 2 years old!

 

[HM]

What the heck is up with senior pictures?

To start I had to pay $150 to even make the appointment ....$20 of that went as the "sitting fee" (normally $80, but I got a deal) and the balance to be applied to our order. Ok fine, no big deal.


THEN...I had to put down ANOTHER $200 to "check out" the preview book. That does NOT go toward the book, I have to buy portraits and then pay ANOTHER $195 on top of that to buy the book. (the first $200 will be applied to picture order and I will forfeit ALL of the deposits if I don't place an order within 20 days).


As for the package prices....OMG....for the BASIC ONE pose only NO wallets...1 8x10. 2 5x7 and 2 4x6 its $189. If I want the next package up which includes 24 wallets and one more 8x10 (can choose 2 poses for the package) it jumps to $325.


IF I spend $450 I get 3 free pictures to "add" to share on facebook or I can buy the Ultimate package for $1849 in which case I will get the preview book for "free" lol


Are you kidding me? Is this the norm for senior pix? Holy crap, I'm in the wrong profession.


Since we are already $330 invested, I am going to order just some basics for now (we can order more later for another fee) .

We're then going to go out and take some photos on our own. Neither dd nor I were impressed with the majority of the pix, so we're going to see what we can come up with by doing it ourself. Obviously they won't be the same quality, but I can't justify spending that kind of money on pictures.

If we don't like our results, I will just bite the bullet and place another order from the original pictures. (they won't give you the copyright license to order from somewhere else...we're not even allowed to take "cell phone" pictures of the pictures).


So whats the going rate in your area?

Is one of those pictures going to be for the yearbook? Or is this just a service for capturing senior money?

My son graduated last year. The summer before we paid $15 for the sitting at his school auditorium. We chose a photo for the yearbook from the few poses they took. We could have paid for extra changes of clothing and poses, but chose to go with just the basic 'tux' photo. I can't remember what we spent on the actual photos, but it was definitely under $100 and we got an 8 x 10 for our wall and wallets to enclose with is graduation announcements.

ACK....didn't realize how old this thread is. What's up with that today? I've seen a lot of resurrected threads.

 

[ZehnJahren]

This thread is 2 years old!

hahahahaha such despondency! It cracks me up when these threads surface and every other person says "hey, this is years old" and the other people just ignore it and keep typing their responses.

This will go on for a bit, I think. So here's a dancing banana:

 

[Wisdomandgrace]

First of all, this thread is 2 years old. Please don't dredge up old posts. 2nd, spell check is your friend and if you really area pro photographer then this paragraph would have lost me as your client with it's errors alone. I'm sure lots of other people wouldn't go to you either.



I hope that in the future, when you put yourself out there as a professional anything that you double check what your write and what you are saying before posting it on a public forum.

If you are on here for Disney stuff then I welcome you but I just couldn't gt over trying to decipher what you wrote in your large paragraph that should have been divided into at least two of them. I am not trying to be rude to you but as someone who would not dare to call herself a professional photographer, I take it to heart when checking out those who do.

Sadly I'm a terrible speller but just because I cant spell dose not mean I can't do professional photography. Not every one is the same. We are all different and if every one was the same it would be a boring world. I know my own faults and I don't need someone to remind me once again I cant spell. This is not about my spell or grammar this is about photography. My husbands prooff all my letters or my web-sight for misspelled words. Now I would understand if I was a teacher I would have know bisness in that profession. I do think it was rude. Not been able to spell or have great grammar all my life it hurts and people who judge like you did just put me into deep depression when I was younger. My husband finely convinced me that my skill is not in spelling or gramer but I'm a great photographer. Why would you judge me like that? You an adult you should know better. You don't even know me or my background. I was told I had a learning dissablety growing and just found out I'm not stupid because I cant spell found out I'm just right brain. My husband reminds me to remember all I have accomplish with photography. Who cares if you cant spell or if you have poor grammar. No one here really cares. They come to you for photography not for spelling or grammar. So I would appreciate if some dose not comet on my spelling or grammer. ( I KNOW I CANT SPELL)It about photography not spelling. Please don't judge because I'm not like you. By the way I did use spell check and it half the time it don't even know what I'm talking about. I know who I am and I know my weakness and Sorry to say Spelling and grammer is one of them. I did take classes and learn photography It's people like you who judge that hurts and put them into depression. I"M NOT STUPID I'M SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE CALLING ME STUPID BECAUSE I'M DIFFERENT. IT'S RUDE and UNCALLED FOR!!!!!! IF YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO BE RUDE THEN WHY DID YOU SAY IT?

 

[marmalade]

Sadly I'm a terrible speller but just because I cant spell dose not mean I can't do professional photography. Not every one is the same. We are all different and if every one was the same it would be a boring world. I know my own faults and I don't need someone to remind me once again I cant spell. This is not about my spell or grammar this is about photography. My husbands prooff all my letters or my web-sight for misspelled words. Now I would understand if I was a teacher I would have know bisness in that profession. I do think it was rude. Not been able to spell or have great grammar all my life it hurts and people who judge like you did just put me into deep depression when I was younger. My husband finely convinced me that my skill is not in spelling or gramer but I'm a great photographer. Why would you judge me like that? You an adult you should know better. You don't even know me or my background. I was told I had a learning dissablety growing and just found out I'm not stupid because I cant spell found out I'm just right brain. My husband reminds me to remember all I have accomplish with photography. Who cares if you cant spell or if you have poor grammar. No one here really cares. They come to you for photography not for spelling or grammar. So I would appreciate if some dose not comet on my spelling or grammer. ( I KNOW I CANT SPELL)It about photography not spelling. Please don't judge because I'm not like you. By the way I did use spell check and it half the time it don't even know what I'm talking about. I know who I am and I know my weakness and Sorry to say Spelling and grammer is one of them. I did take classes and learn photography It's people like you who judge that hurts and put them into depression. I"M NOT STUPID I'M SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE CALLING ME STUPID BECAUSE I'M DIFFERENT. IT'S RUDE and UNCALLED FOR!!!!!! IF YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO BE RUDE THEN WHY DID YOU SAY IT?

I am sure your photos are beautiful.

 

[jenseib]

Sadly I'm a terrible speller but just because I cant spell dose not mean I can't do professional photography. Not every one is the same. We are all different and if every one was the same it would be a boring world. I know my own faults and I don't need someone to remind me once again I cant spell. This is not about my spell or grammar this is about photography. My husbands prooff all my letters or my web-sight for misspelled words. Now I would understand if I was a teacher I would have know bisness in that profession. I do think it was rude. Not been able to spell or have great grammar all my life it hurts and people who judge like you did just put me into deep depression when I was younger. My husband finely convinced me that my skill is not in spelling or gramer but I'm a great photographer. Why would you judge me like that? You an adult you should know better. You don't even know me or my background. I was told I had a learning dissablety growing and just found out I'm not stupid because I cant spell found out I'm just right brain. My husband reminds me to remember all I have accomplish with photography. Who cares if you cant spell or if you have poor grammar. No one here really cares. They come to you for photography not for spelling or grammar. So I would appreciate if some dose not comet on my spelling or grammer. ( I KNOW I CANT SPELL)It about photography not spelling. Please don't judge because I'm not like you. By the way I did use spell check and it half the time it don't even know what I'm talking about. I know who I am and I know my weakness and Sorry to say Spelling and grammer is one of them. I did take classes and learn photography It's people like you who judge that hurts and put them into depression. I"M NOT STUPID I'M SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE CALLING ME STUPID BECAUSE I'M DIFFERENT. IT'S RUDE and UNCALLED FOR!!!!!! IF YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO BE RUDE THEN WHY DID YOU SAY IT?

I think more so, we are wondering why your first post on dis in on a 2 year old thread?

 

[Wisdomandgrace]

I think more so, we are wondering why your first post on dis in on a 2 year old thread?

I didn't know it was for Disney form, I thought everyone was talking about Senior pic and how expensive if was. I Google Photography talk seeing if I should raise my prices I found this and thought the talk about photography was interesting. I didn't even know It was a old thread didn't pay much attention. Most of the other forums and threads I go on have continuing discussions and don't expire. I seen this one has so I will move on.

 

[Stacy9402]

l

 

[pyrxtc]

I didn't know it was for Disney form, I thought everyone was talking about Senior pic and how expensive if was. I Google Photography talk seeing if I should raise my prices I found this and thought the talk about photography was interesting. I didn't even know It was a old thread didn't pay much attention. Most of the other forums and threads I go on have continuing discussions and don't expire. I seen this one has so I will move on.

I wasn't being rude or calling you stupid, just reminding you that your post will forever be online when anyone looks for you and you don't want something like that to come up.

When you Google search you can specify time periods. If you are checking about what others are charging to know what you should charge then you should specify a time period because you don't want to find something 10 years old and go by there prices. Also, you should adjust your prices based on the area you live in and what those photographers are charging and how your pictures compare to theirs. A random search on the internet can't help you with that.

There are some great photography discussion boards that could help you find a price that is right for you.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

My senior pictures 14 years ago cost I think something like $450. That was for a formal pose for the yearbook and a casual pose that my Mom fell in love with. I didn't even change outfits and they were all done inside so no change of scenery either. They did come out absolutely beautiful though.