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charlie and algernon

(13,447 posts) Tue Feb 7, 2012, 10:18 AM Feb 2012

Question for photographers, is this a standard price for a photo shoot package, or WAAAY overpriced?

I just got a groupon email offer for a photo shoot package at 92% off, so I was shocked when I saw that it would STILL cost $59! Of course I know that a photo shoot is going to cost more than $60 without any deals, but when you're taking 92% off, you'd expect the final price to be pretty cheap.

So it turns out that the original price, without the deal is a whopping $760! Here's what you get:

•A 30-minute in-studio or on-location photo shoot (a $200 value)
•One 8"x10" print (a $62 value)
•Two 5"x6" prints (a $36 value)
•Eight wallet prints (a $42 value)
•One disk with a retouched digital image (a $420 value)

Ok, the $200 for an on-location shoot seems reasonable, but FUCK, over $500 for the photos????? What the hell kind of computer disk costs $420??

Or, am I just completely ignorant at what it costs for photography services these days and this is actually a standard price?

4 replies

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Question for photographers, is this a standard price for a photo shoot package, or WAAAY overpriced? (Original Post) charlie and algernon Feb 2012 OP

depends on the talent, prestige and legitimacy of the photographer. Chan790 Feb 2012 #1

it seems like it's just a local group charlie and algernon Feb 2012 #2

...but would you pay $59 for them? Chan790 Feb 2012 #3

I would only pay the $59 because it includes the actual shoot. charlie and algernon Feb 2012 #4

Chan790

(20,176 posts)

1. depends on the talent, prestige and legitimacy of the photographer.

Reply to charlie and algernon (Original post)

Tue Feb 7, 2012, 10:29 AM

Feb 2012

I know fashion shootists who charge $500 for head shots and $2000/hr. for magazine photography. OTOH, you can get a perfectly lovely family photo at Sears for <$100 with many many prints.

That seems reasonable for someone looking for publicity head-shots and the such.

My publicity photo for publications cost me ~$300 all-told (two photos: one headshot and one full-length) from an art-student but I own the image rights and can get reprints whenever I want for the cost of the printing...from a reputable high-quality development lab, not CVS, ~$0.25/copy. Also, I really like the pics.

charlie and algernon

(13,447 posts)

2. it seems like it's just a local group

Reply to Chan790 (Reply #1)

Tue Feb 7, 2012, 10:46 AM

Feb 2012

I checked out the gallery on their website. The photos are good, but nothing special, and certianly nothing that I'd spend $500 for.

Chan790

(20,176 posts)

3. ...but would you pay $59 for them?

Reply to charlie and algernon (Reply #2)

Tue Feb 7, 2012, 11:10 AM

Feb 2012

I sometimes suspect that people pull a "bump and discount" on those LivingSocial and Groupon offers. Bump the price up or introduce a high-priced product they have no intention of selling any at full-price, just to discount it and make the discount % look better.

charlie and algernon

(13,447 posts)

4. I would only pay the $59 because it includes the actual shoot.

Reply to Chan790 (Reply #3)

Tue Feb 7, 2012, 11:25 AM

Feb 2012

I wouldn't pay $59 for the random photos on their site, but to actually go out, have them shoot me, and then print the photos, it's not a bad deal.

I think you make a great point that it's a "bump and discount" thing going on. It gives groupon the opportunity to say you're getting a whopping 92% off, when it's probably more like 40% or something. It's like any "As seen on TV" commercial. You get 35 plastic trinkets for $19.95, from a regular value of $500!!! But wait! I'll double your offer, a $1000 value for $19.95!!!!

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