Trying to start a business. What do you think?

I thought about getting another phone line. How much does that cost?

 

For photo shoots, offer a flat "sitting fee" for a certain time period. Say $45, or whatever you want to charge, for one hour at a specified location. As far as prints, most people like to print their own these days. Offer the service of getting them printed but also say something like for $5-$10 more you can have the digital copies. I've seen too many people order 1 print and then just go to a photo copier and make copies. When you're just starting out you have to lower prices, usually lower than what you might want. This way it entices people to give you a try and then as your name gets out there, gradually raise the prices. A good rule of thumb is to double the cost of the print and be sure if you are ordering prints that you add the cost of shipping to EACH print. That way if someone wants only one print you don't get screwed on shipping charges.

For the portfolio, I have a 9"x11", I think, plain black scrapbook with a nice leather cover that I use. The binding is removable so you can add pages later on and it looks nice.

 

Good luck! I do have one suggestion for your card. Put one of your very best photo's on there. I'm a wedding photographer and that's how mine are (among many other of my photographer friends.). That way people can see right away that you have some talent.

 

Thanks. I should be able to get that.

So a flat rate for one hour at one location. Another charge per hour. Another for shipping. Start low. Raise prices gradually.

 

Basically that about sums it up. When I started I did $45 for a family session, I wasn't too critical on time as long as the session was in the same general area. That price also included digital copies and any touch up work afterwards. I also did $25/hr for website photography for a local business owner. That included any touch up work after the fact.

 

Do you mean like have my own domain name and pay a monthly fee?

My Logo can be seen on my 'GALLERY' page. It's the P with the 5 squares. Sort of contemporary...

 

hmm...I like my contemporary look. lol. I see if I can come up with another design too.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.