[jefferies]

In my area many "Boutique Studio"( small upper end locations focused on upper end clients) portrait photographers charge a moderate sitting fee...maybe $100.00 to get the client into the studio and weed out those without any money. They take all kinds of shots aimed at layout of a book or album to be sold at a good profit margin later. They adjust around 40-50 images and bring the client back to view the finished work. The look is usually more unique and the studio is known for that look. Usually 8x10 are in the $200.00 range, large 20x24 in the $600.00 range etc. A nice layout in a book style album could be $400.00 to $1200.00 depending on the album. Of course this is done in a professional looking studio enviroment, not a garage. A retail place or even converted house works and allows you to charge more for your services. I know some list a minimum purchase in addition to the up front sitting fee.From what I see they end up with sales in the $800.00-$2000.00 all the time...and sometimes a lot more.
On the other side you have the volume shooters. They get you in with a $10.00 special and then charge for every thing you can think of. A inkjet print would be $25.00 then a Archival print would be $50.00 plus a coating to protect it $15.00 etc. I am not a salesperson so my selling skills do not fit this enviroment but it seems to work well for many in the business. Some located in the local malls doing this seem to do very well. I have seen receips for over $1000.00 and a handful of what I consider production photos. Bottom line is both types of studios are charging for the Artistic insite and abality to capture the image the client wants to see and keep. They are not charging for copies like Costco or Wallgreens. Of course the hard part is getting the right client into your studio. That is where you make money or waste all of it on advertisement.