Question for photographers out there...

[Nashville]

My SIL has been job hunting for 8 months now with no luck. She's living with her parents and getting financial help from them but she has young children so I can't even imagine how hard it must be. My husband and I are feeling the financial crunch as well, but we're both employed and living on our own. There's no "extra" money but we're ok for now.

Basically, we've never had professional pictures taken of our daughter or any family portraits done because they are so expensive, and it's hard to get everyone together and get them done because we're on such insane schedules.

We're taking a family vacation cross country next month to visit everyone. SIL used to work as a photographer. It's her profession as well as a hobby, so she is well equipped with cameras, film etc. and she takes BEAUTIFUL pictures.

I'm thinking while we are there I'd love to set up a time to have her take family portraits, and of course we'd pay her for her time and equipment. I have an idea of what the Sears/Picture People rates are, but what is a good amount to pay her for a private outdoors portrait session? I really want to pay her not only what's fair, but what a professional photographer would charge. This is of course if she's willing to do it. Any idea?

 

[kenny]

I'd guess a photographer working at Sears gets paid very very little.
Sears keeps a lot of the fee.

I'd call some independent pros in their city and ask their rates to come out on location.
Also, it may not seem important but rights are key.
If you want unlimited rights to use the pics at full resolution a photographer will charge more since that means they will never ever make another penny off you in the future.

This may be surprisingly expensive.
Also it would be tacky to offer less (because you are family) than what a real client would pay.
It will put her on the spot.

 

[vc10um]

Just as a point-of-reference, my Kansas City-based wedding photographer also does portrait sessions with families, kids, dogs, horses, etc. Her session fee is $150, for 1-2 hours of shooting (depending on how cooperative the subjects are) and you can get the package with the session and all edited, high-resolution files on DVD for $300.

 

[Nashville]

Just as a point-of-reference, my Kansas City-based wedding photographer also does portrait sessions with families, kids, dogs, horses, etc. Her session fee is $150, for 1-2 hours of shooting (depending on how cooperative the subjects are) and you can get the package with the session and all edited, high-resolution files on DVD for $300.

Thanks, we were thinking $200-$400 for an hour or two. I'm sure she'll offer to do it for free, but we absolutely want to pay her what's right.

 

[Nashville]

I'd guess a photographer working at Sears gets paid very very little.
Sears keeps a lot of the fee.

I'd call some independent pros in their city and ask their rates to come out on location.
Also, it may not seem important but rights are key.
If you want unlimited rights to use the pics at full resolution a photographer will charge more since that means they will never ever make another penny off you in the future.

This may be surprisingly expensive.
Also it would be tacky to offer less (because you are family) than what a real client would pay.
It will put her on the spot.

Right, which is why I'm asking.

 

[Shoopy]

We paid $250 for my daugther's photos in a park. We were there I think for about 3 hours. These are friends of mine but I believe that is what he charges all his clients (the only difference is that I'm getting the CD with all of the pics...he's not offering that anymore to his clients).