How much would you expect to pay for a photograph?

ursula · 06-20-2012, 02:35 PM

I've never been married, and never had to have my photo professionally taken for anything else (aside from yearbooks), so I don't know what is a normal price. I am looking to have a portrait done. I looked around online for local photographers and found one I like, but it says portrait services start at $350!

Is that typical? Not many advertise their prices on their websites, so I really don't have a clue. I just need one photo taken; I didn't think it could be more than $100.

Like.Australia · 06-20-2012, 02:38 PM

The guy I used to work for charged $500 for a "session," which included one 8x10. Other prints were more. He was totally overpriced though, IMO. I can't remember what my parents paid for my senior pictures, but our wedding photographer didn't even cost that much!

I would imagine that places like Sears and Target will do it for you for cheap if you just need a very basic head shot.

Nej · 06-20-2012, 02:41 PM

Most good photographers will be about that much but their services usually include discs of copes, retouching etc.

You can probably find cheaper but chances are you get what you pay for.

Sent from my iPhone - blame autocorrect for everything strange

luvmylocs · 06-20-2012, 02:52 PM

it can really vary. are you looking for a headshot (for professional purposes) a full body fun shot just for you or what? i've noticed with facebook and such that a lot of people have gotten into photography and actually are pretty good, especially for the more casual (non-event) type pictures people like to take just to have. you might be able to scan your friends and see if they've used anyone they recommend for cheap. also i live in a major city and livingsocial and groupon will occassionally do deals with photographers. now that senior pics and prom are over you might be able to get a deal if business is slow, of course i think it's wedding season.

again depending on what it's for you might even be able to use a nice digital camera, do a little research on photography blogs and partner up with a friend who can take your pic and come out for next to nothing. if you need a print shutterfly and those types of sites do deals and have a lot of nice enhancement features you could easily use. photo editing software is kind of spendy for just one pic but you might even find someone on craigslist or something that would retouch a photo for cheap.

i like taking professional pics every few years. i'm due for some new ones but want to wait until my hair is a little longer.

The New Black · 06-20-2012, 02:59 PM

I don't know about potrait photogs so much. But the ones I've worked with charge $450 or so for a half-day session. And half-day was the mininum.

I know a couple of photographers, who'd probably give you a much better deal though. But I don't know if you're in the same area as me.

Maybe you can contact the local university photography departments and see if they can rec some talented students who'd be willing to shoot you for a good price. I'd also contact local camera shops, modeling agencies, art schools and the like. Even newspapers who have photogs on staff might be able to rec someone.

RedCatWaves · 06-20-2012, 03:27 PM

You could probably go to JC Penney or Sears Portraits for much less if all you need is a simple headshot. They'll give you a choice of several views for a reasonable cost...probably under $50. Look for coupons online before you go.

ursula · 06-20-2012, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I'm reluctant to go to Target, Sears, et al because I feel like those might look cheesy. I want to get a good quality, artistic sort of picture for an author's photo. It's unlikely to appear on the book but it will appear on the press' website, in catalogs, and maybe in advertisements. I don't know yet if the press will pay for it, but I doubt it; some of the other author photos they have are really crappy. But I'm vain, and I hate all pictures of me, and I want a nice photo attached to my book, dammit!

I think I might take luvmylocs's suggestion and try buying a good camera and asking my sister to take pictures of me in some natural light in a park or something. Maybe a really professional picture will look like I'm trying too hard, compared to the other crappy ones used by my publisher.

luvmylocs · 06-20-2012, 03:51 PM

given what you said it's for i TOTALLY think you could do it with a little help. check out these links for posing tips. these are just a few websites with info i found when googling. also, be mindful of your makeup and attire since the pic will live on forever

headshot posing

female posing tips for headshots

posing shoulders

here's one more on business headshots but these might be a little too serious for you. still some good overall professional headshot tips

even if you go with a company/professional these tips might be helpful! there are books on the topic too but this might be all the kind of info you need. good luck!

mrspoppers · 06-20-2012, 06:32 PM

$350 sounds high. It must have included different poses and maybe some prints? I just coordinated head shots for 6 new salesmen at work. They went to a photography studio that's higher end than Sears and JCP. I paid $150 each, plus tax. That included one digital portrait. Prints would be extra.

I suggest looking for a deal on Groupon.

RedCatWaves · 06-20-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ursula

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I'm reluctant to go to Target, Sears, et al because I feel like those might look cheesy. I want to get a good quality, artistic sort of picture for an author's photo. It's unlikely to appear on the book but it will appear on the press' website, in catalogs, and maybe in advertisements. I don't know yet if the press will pay for it, but I doubt it; some of the other author photos they have are really crappy. But I'm vain, and I hate all pictures of me, and I want a nice photo attached to my book, dammit!

I think I might take luvmylocs's suggestion and try buying a good camera and asking my sister to take pictures of me in some natural light in a park or something. Maybe a really professional picture will look like I'm trying too hard, compared to the other crappy ones used by my publisher.

Oh, you deserve a good picture.

Definitely try some on your own. Remember...light from below, and shoot from above.

sleepymeko · 06-20-2012, 07:07 PM

$350 is actually a good deal. They sometimes charge more than that. What's the quality of the photos? Can you post their work?

Good photographers usually charge $550+

Photos are expensive but it's worth spending the extra doe on GOOD photos.

sleepymeko · 06-20-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ursula

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I'm reluctant to go to Target, Sears, et al because I feel like those might look cheesy. I want to get a good quality, artistic sort of picture for an author's photo. It's unlikely to appear on the book but it will appear on the press' website, in catalogs, and maybe in advertisements. I don't know yet if the press will pay for it, but I doubt it; some of the other author photos they have are really crappy. But I'm vain, and I hate all pictures of me, and I want a nice photo attached to my book, dammit!

I think I might take luvmylocs's suggestion and try buying a good camera and asking my sister to take pictures of me in some natural light in a park or something. Maybe a really professional picture will look like I'm trying too hard, compared to the other crappy ones used by my publisher.

As someone that does photography for a hobby and having friends in the photography business, $100 is very cheap and a GOOD photographer will not charge as little as that. With photos, you get what you pay for. That is, OFC if you have some friends who do photog. That's how I get things done for free. Shop around and look at their pics. Look at how they use photoshop too because sometimes photog. abuse it. GL

As for doing it yourself, I think personally... Unless you have a DSLR the photos are not going to look that good. And those are expensive (more than the $300).

ursula · 06-21-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedCatWaves

Oh, you deserve a good picture.

Definitely try some on your own. Remember...light from below, and shoot from above.

Aw, thanks! I think so, too! I'm going to experiment this weekend.

NetG · 06-21-2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ursula

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I'm reluctant to go to Target, Sears, et al because I feel like those might look cheesy. I want to get a good quality, artistic sort of picture for an author's photo. It's unlikely to appear on the book but it will appear on the press' website, in catalogs, and maybe in advertisements. I don't know yet if the press will pay for it, but I doubt it; some of the other author photos they have are really crappy. But I'm vain, and I hate all pictures of me, and I want a nice photo attached to my book, dammit!

I think I might take luvmylocs's suggestion and try buying a good camera and asking my sister to take pictures of me in some natural light in a park or something. Maybe a really professional picture will look like I'm trying too hard, compared to the other crappy ones used by my publisher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepymeko

As someone that does photography for a hobby and having friends in the photography business, $100 is very cheap and a GOOD photographer will not charge as little as that. With photos, you get what you pay for. That is, OFC if you have some friends who do photog. That's how I get things done for free. Shop around and look at their pics. Look at how they use photoshop too because sometimes photog. abuse it. GL

As for doing it yourself, I think personally... Unless you have a DSLR the photos are not going to look that good. And those are expensive (more than the $300).

Yep - the photos will cost a whole lot less than the camera and quality you need for good photos. If you have a friend w/ a dSLR (most people know several these days) who has some skill and talent, they can probably get good shots in trade for dinner or something. But for a pro I'd think you'd be paying more, too, unless you go to Sears or somewhere.

Too much light, not enough light and backlit can all be fun and look less posed if you want more natural looking but still flattering, at least if taken with a good camera on the right settings.

luvmylocs · 06-22-2012, 12:34 PM

a friend of mine used a dslr camera against a solid wall in the apt complex where i teach classes (it's like a stucco wall). it produced the nicest and most simple profession pic that i still use for my linkedin profile. no professional touchups but the camera quality was good. also consider the natural lighting out that day for a pic if you decide to do something on your own or with someone with a good camera.

the other thing is if you go to sears or target or whatever i think it's costly to get your digital pics. they will pull you in with one cheaper print but you really want the digital images for your site so keep that in mind when you look.

sleepymeko · 06-22-2012, 06:12 PM

A solid background is always very nice. Also, consider what kind of tones you would like. I personally prefer blue tones (and I noticed Canons do tend to produce this more often than Nikon).

For clear or crisp photos, remember the place the subject facing the light source, or else you'll get a bunch of shadows (which you may or may not like). But not DIRECTLY into the sun or else you're going to get some harsh shadows.

Or you can place subject with the light source somewhat to the side, but still facing the subject. Here is a simple photo I snapped of my friend:

The light is coming from the left, but still lightens up her face. If it was behind her, her face would be darkened.

Same girl, but with inside lighting (and not a lot of light minus ceiling lamps)

Notice how much darker her face looks.

Standard ISO is 400 on most cameras so the BEST type of weather for great photos is a cloudy day. Just enough sunlight and enough shadow for a clear and crisp subject.

These were taken on a cloudy day:

This is an SLR

So, if you're going to do it yourself make sure you pick the right conditions for the best results! Also, you're not going to get good quality or sharp photos if you do not use a DSLR. Keep this in mind!

Like.Australia · 06-22-2012, 06:25 PM

Oh, for a press photo, I would definitely go with a professional (not a JCPenney, Target, etc). Or, as someone else suggested, see if a local college has an art program where you can hire a student with good equipment for less money. A professional will not only take a lot of shots and help you choose one, but they know what poses, lighting, etc will make you look your best.