Photography Pricing and Packages - HELP!

Photography Pricing and Packages - HELP!

I have my first child arriving soon so i started looking for packages that different photographers have for newborn photography. what kind of questions should I ask or other information should i try and get? i have narrowed it down to the style i am looking for from various sites i have visited, but pricing various a lot and it's a daunting task looking at everything. i also have a friend that's a photographer that's everything i am looking for, but she's almost double everyone else even with a discount. is it wise to stick with who i know and i do understand you get what you pay for.

Prices will definately vary from photog to photog in your area. They will charge what they think they're worth.

1. Check their portfolio. They must have one to show you (something other than a website). Or else, skip them.

2. If you want prints or if they offer any, look at the prints they have to show you. That way you see the type of paper they have and the quality of it. Do they use a lab (local lab or someone like Smug Mug, etc) or do they go to CVS, Wal-Mart, etc? If they do their own printing then be very careful. Not alot of photographers calibrate their printers so what you see on the monitor is not what you get from the print. Especially if they use certain types of paper (and there are MANY). Its always good to see samples, IMO.

3. How long is the shoot for? Think about how long they will take to photograph your child. It can be quick but it can also be costly if the child is fussy for whatever reason.

4. How many images are going to be delivered? Some will say an unlimited amount but others will say 50 or 100 (just an example). Will the final images be fully edited or will you have to pick out of those which ones you want edited and how many will they allow you pick?

5. What is the turn around time? This may or may not be important as long as you get them but to some, this is important.

6. Will you receive all the images from the session on a CD/DVD? If not, how long will they store the images in case you want more copies. If you want more copies in 4-5yrs, you want to make sure they have it.

7. If they give you the photos, will they allow you to do whatever you want with them? For example, submit a picture to a baby contest? believe it or not, if you're not the one who created the image then some places ask for a release form from the photographer. Its a liability thing. Some places won't even print the photographs unless you have a form with the photographers sig saying its okay.

8. The other thing I can think about is, meet the photographer before committing to anything. Set up an appointment to talk to them and tell them what you're looking for. See how they come off to you. If you feel comfortable and you think they can deliver what you want, then cool. But DO NOT sign a contract or anything on the first visit. A photographer should never push you to sign one. If so, skip them as well. You should only sign a contract or book someone once you have interviewed a few others. And if they bad mouth another photog, then skip them as well. They aren't worth it.

I'm sure others will chime in on things. But those are the first things that come to mind. I'm thinking as a wedding photographer but some of the concepts would apply to baby photographers too.

As far as your friend. Do you think she's worth that much for her work? Do you think she can deliver what you want? If after interviewing/speaking to other photographers then you can make that decision.

Remember this, how much do you think that image will be worth in 20-30years? You are only 1month, 1yr old, 2yrs old, once in your life time. You can never get that back. So this is one part of photography that may be a bit expensive but that image(s) will last forever. So the price tag should be lower on your list. the quality of the images should be #1. And some may even offer maternity pictures and newborn pics as a package which may be of interest to you.

You want to know an easy way around that (not using logos or certain paper)? They can simply crop the picture to something thats not easily printed at any lab or it would take a lab longer to print. I wouldn't be surprised if they do this if the printing is done onsite. This will deinitely force you to go back for prints and custom frames. Its just one easy way to make money.

OHH..and you may want to try www.wppionline.com. Click on find a photographer. This organization just held their yearly convention in Vegas and I was there. There were so many members who photograph kids and not just weddings. So you may find alot in your area through that site. If they're a member then they must give a damn about their name and rep. because if they're bad, they can easily receive bad reviews. Also check yelp.com to see if your photog is listed on there.

Or you can just say F all of this and just go to JC Penny or Sears for the pictures..lol.

If you want to stay one a budget, go to a local college or a photography school and ask one of the students if they are willing to take pictures. you can negotiate with a very low price but at the same time, get the full raw image files from them for you to print duplicates later in the years, and you can give them permission to use those photos in their portfolio. Sometimes they will even do it for free just to be able to build their portfolio. You can also get creative with the photographer and kinda collaborate and get photos you want as well. Just don't be an arse and they will continue to shoot for you for a very low price. This is how I started in photography several years ago.

This works too. although the photo will look like every other baby photo.

Congrats on your upcoming child!

Lots of good info here - DCSkillz pretty much summed it all up. Just to point out, from personal experience, it may be the child pushing which direction to go with.

With my son, he would freak out with certain photographers, studios that we went to - so your child may direct where you will ultimately go to. Might try bringing your child to those specific studios, photographers for them to warm up to or not. You want the best photographs and poses possible - no need to scare or upset the child and get a so-so result.

never plan to do that. i want the more modern look than traditional store bought pics. thanks for the additional information since i didn't think about a few of them.

almost all the photographers want to do the newborn pics in the first week. i guess it's something do with them still being in the curled position and less fussy, so trying to schedule something now. probably better to stick with the person we know if needed to worry about the interaction.