How much do child photographers charge?? Post Reply

[Sam001]

Hi,
I received a 'free' photography session with this photographer, who I will choose not to name and shame at the moment!. My husband and I, together with our 6 month old daughter, visited her last weekend and the photo session lasted 3 hours! She was absolutely lovely and very professional, however we very shocked when she presented us with a 3-page price list!

ONE photo on a digital file costs £150 and one print 7x5 print costs £35 and we need to buy a minimum of 10 prints.

Are these normal prices in London?! I am a bit scared of going to view the photographs because I am sure that they are going to be beautiful, however I cannot afford to pay so much.

Advice please!?!

[thelittlelegscompany]

I know who this is with as we did EXACTLY the same!! I too thought it was extortion but I am no expert. I took the free one which was teeny tiny and walked away.

[lesleyc]

It was for this very reason that my husband now uses his photography skills to offer parents the opportunity to receive high quality photos of their children without the ridiculous price tags that most local photographers seem to insist on charging. He offers set prices (starting from just £100) where you get the full cd (with high res and low res files -for email etc)- therefore you can make as many copies as you like. If you are interested look at his website for all the info you will need:
http://www.neilcoxphotography.co.uk/

[MrsAmanda]

Grrr, I hate these kind of tactics with a passion. There's been a recent thread about Venture and their ridiculous pricing for pictures. Wedding photographers often do the same, I guess it's how they make their living. I once had one of those 'free' makeover things, and then was pressurised into spending vast amounts on the photos.


My husband also does photography. (He's only semi-pro as also has a 'proper' job to make sure the bills are paid!) He charges for the session, but included in that are a minimum of 15 of the best shots, which he extensively edits. He uses a professional printing service, vastly superior to the high street places, and only charges cost. eg a 7x5" is £2; 10x8" is £6 and and 18x12 is £14. He'll do a 8x12, framed, with custom mounting (most mounts in frames you buy don't fit exactly) for £30. So the obscene amounts charged by some photographers really winds me up and gives the industry a bad name.

[Sam001]

Thanks for feedback!! At least I am not alone in thinking that these prices are outrageous!

I checked out Neil Cox photography website. Mrs Amanda - what are your husband's details?

[MrsAmanda]

Hi, he's not got his own website yet, but you can see some of his work here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acosgrove/ ... 2483/show/

I've just re-read your original post. £35 for one small print is disgusting. All the smoke and mirrors of the 'free' shoot, then charging through the nose for the photos, Grrrrrrrr. And personally I think spending 3hrs on a shoot with a youngster is too long - they get bored, tired, hungry and you don't get the best from them. The photographers might think they're portraying value for money by spending so long, but I think it's counter-productive.

[Jillm]

Hi Sam

I offer a 3 hour photo shoot for £150, this includes a a disc of high res images for you to choose from and print yourself. I'm happy to answer any questions with no obligation to book.

Feel free to browse my website

http://www.jillmclean.co.uk

You can email me directly at jill@jillmclean.co.uk or call on 07988745413

[jonnydonovan]

Hi Sam,

I am a professional portrait photographer - you can see my work at jonnydonovan.com

I offer shoots (a couple of hours is usually more than enough) for £120 in the comfort of you own home, or in my studio if you prefer - which is in SE1. For that you get all the images taken - sent to you on a DVD - with six edited images of your choice - plus the rights to all the images taken.

I am happy to organise prints for clients or they can go ahead and do them themselves. Prices are listed on my website.

Drop me a line or call me on 07702 785 004 if you would like any more information.

Jonny

[mollys]

my friend is a professional photographer, and recently took some amazing pics of my baby son.
Her website is www.mitzidemargary.com
she is well worth a look!

[charliert]

Um, sorry to be yet ANOTHER photographer replying to this...

Firstly, I understand Sam's annoyance. I am up-front about my prices BEFORE clients book me.

We all know friends who can take nice photos, however my counter-argument is, you get what you pay for.
There are photographers at all levels of the market, to suit every budget.

I used to charge very low prices when I started out, but the more I learned about the true cost of running a photography business, the more I realised I needed to charge. I'm still reasonable, some think I am great value, some perhaps cannot afford my prices.

I charge a modest booking fee, then you can buy as little or as much as you like later. No hard-sell!! Obviously I try and take lots of great photos that you'll buy, so I can afford to pay my bills...

I know photographers that earn thousands just from one family portrait session, but they don't pretend otherwise and they cater for clients that can afford them. They also take stunning photos...

You can read a more detailed discussion on my website:
http://charlieroundturner.com/invest-in-the-best/
Or just check out my portfolio and get in touch if you want more info!
http://charlieroundturner.com/2011/01/p ... amilies-2/

[balhamwilbur]

Try this photographer - http://www.mybeautifulfamily.co.uk - I saw one of their photo books (you get a session, the CD of high res images so you can print as many as you like, plus a hardback photo book of your pictures) at a friend's house at it's really gorgeous and creative. I'm planning to book them for a session with my kids this Spring. It's not the cheapest out there, but you get a lot for your money.

[Karin1979]

HI - I paid £100 and was able to take the CD ho,e with about 150 images to choose from ..... the price was good so my son has had 4 shoots in the last 18 months ..

[fatherof6]

to much i think around £100 a hr

[minime]

take your own photos and save that money they are all rip-offs

[MrsAmanda]

"take your own photos and save that money they are all rip-offs"

Couldn't disagree more. Whilst I am more than capable of pointing a camera at my children and pressing the button, I've no idea what I'm doing and how to get the best results. And I've no clue how to use photoshop, either!