Investing in yourself – the cost of a photo shoot and why my shoots are NOT expensive

I’ve been going back and forth about if I should post this or not but after talking it over with a friend I think I should.  My blog should be a place to express myself and post things I can’t put on my website www.inezlewis.com.

I just raised my rates and speaking of rates in general – it’s my least favorite thing to talk about.  Why?  In a perfect world I could shoot anyone I thought interesting or beautiful.  I would spend all my time creating and trying to make others happy.  Okay, so you know where this is going…  We live in a world far from perfect.  People think because most photographers now shoot in digital that there are virtually no cost involved since there is no film to buy and develop.  NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have over $10k in equipment, a studio to pay for every month, all the normal living expenses, cost to upgrade computer software and hardware, new equipment to buy, training classes to take, monthly fees for advertising and cost for having an assistant, shipping materials, gas, etc, etc…

Now with all that said, let me break down the cost of my most expensive package listed for a model portfolio shoot as of 10/13/08

$800 = 3 looks, makeup and hair, stylist, approx 150 photos with 6 retouches

So how does this $800 breakdown?

$200 makeup and hair

$200 stylists

$100 assistant

what does that leave me?  $300

What do I do for $300?

come up or collaborate for the shoot concepts for each look

buy any materials I made need like a seamless background or new light bulb

shoot and be in studio for approx 5 hours

go home and do color corrections, convert to jpgs, post online gallery for about 3 hours

after you make your selections or I do it for you, retouch 6 photos for 3 to 5 hours

On average, I am spending a minimum of 11 hours on your shoot.  That breaks down to about $27 per hour before material expenses and taxes.  Yes I do have to pay federal income tax on the $300.

Some people think $800 is expensive for a model portfolio shoot.  I have to disagree.  I think it’s a deal.  If all involved do their job, you get photos that will potentially bring you lots of jobs which equal money and fame.  We all must invest in ourselves to make it, especially in the entertainment industry.  Nothing is free, especially not my time.

After seeing this breakdown I hope some of you that didn’t understand before now do see, I’m not getting rich off of a $800 shoot.  I’m barely getting enough.  I want a new camera and new lights.  These things help me make better photos.  My rates will go up soon so book now and save.

Photos done recently of Los Angeles DJ Phys Ed.

Tags: Actor Headshoots, inez lewis, Inez Lewis Photography, inezlewis.com, los angeles model photographer, los angeles photographer, model portfolio, photo shoot rates, plus model portfolio