WHEN SHOULD YOU CHARGE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?
Whether you’re a brand new photographer or you’ve been shooting for a while, it can be hard to decide when you should be charging and when you shouldn’t. Today I’m going to share with you how I decide when to charge.
When You Should Be Charging
Nine times out of ten I will charge for my services. Running a successful business requires profit. If someone approaches you asking about your services you should always send your rates. Also, you should take into account if you are ‘losing money’ to shoot. If you are paying for props or using more gas than usual to get to a location, think about those things. One of the main factors that goes into deciding to charge is thinking about how you will feel after the shoot is done. If you think you will feel regretful or even like you’ve been taken advantage of, then you need to charge!
When it is Okay Not to Charge
Like I said before, nine times out of ten I will charge for my services. There are surprisingly few instances when it is okay to work for free, but one of the main things I keep and eye out for is if/how the shoot will benefit me or my business. Technically, you should never work for “free”, but instead, look for opportunities to work for trade. If you can fill a gap in your portfolio or if you can gain new clients from the shoot, I would consider this a “trade.” There is a certain type of photoshoot known as TFP or ‘trade for print’. I can write an entire post on this topic if you would like to know more – let me know!
Next time you have a photoshoot, keep these tips in mind when you decide if you will be charging – and how much. Share this post with a friend if it helped you or you think it can help them. Also, be sure to follow this blog so you can get notified whenever I post. Thank you so much for reading!