Pricing services is a difficult subject for any creative, and for an event photographer it’s no different. Striking the balance between valuing your expertise and remaining competitive can be challenging, but it’s important to get it right to ensure that you’re compensated fairly while offering value to your clients.
Not sure where to start? Here’s our quick, 5-minute guide on how to price your services as an event photographer.
1: Calculate Your Costs
Before you set your prices, you need to have a clear understanding of your costs.
This includes:
- Equipment, such as cameras, lenses, flashes, memory cards, batteries, and maintenance.
- Editing software subscriptions, such as Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.
- Travel costs like fuel, car maintenance, and possible accommodation.
- Other expenses that come with the daily running of your business, such as insurance, marketing, and website hosting.
2: Know Your Market
Research is crucial. Study your competitors’ prices, but don’t forget to evaluate the quality and range of services they offer. Are you serving a luxury market, the general public, or even a niche? Knowing your target market can be a great help when it comes to working out your pricing structure.
3: Value Your Time
Remember, the hours you spend at an event are just the first step. Consider the time you’ll spend on client meetings, editing and post-processing, and delivering the final product.
4: Offer Different Packages
Offering a variety of packages can be a great way to reach more clients and meet different needs and budgets. Your package prices could increase with the number of final images delivered, or you could offer bespoke, deluxe packages that cater to clients looking for large prints or photo albums.
Each package price should reflect its value, as well as the time, effort, and materials required.
5: Consider Your Experience
If you’re a seasoned photographer with a hefty portfolio and rave reviews, you’ll be able to price your services higher. Newcomers might need to start with competitive pricing to build a clientele but should review and adjust as they gain experience.
6: Keep It Clear
Hidden costs can deter potential clients, so always be upfront with your pricing and what each package entails! If there are additional charges, like travel fees for a faraway destination, make sure you clearly communicate these before agreeing to the event.
7: Review Regularly
Change is inevitable, and the market, your expertise, and costs will shift over time. Regularly review your prices to ensure they continue to reflect of the value you provide and are in line with current market trends.