How much would you charge??

[darrinspencer]

I was contacted today by a real estate agent who wants me to take some headshots for her. She wants to use them for her real estate business like business cards, magnets on the side of of cars, etc. I am just taking the headshot but how much does one charge for that? Any adivce or help is appreciated.

[SureFire]

I charge $150 for everything. It's a 15 minute sitting and they walk out with the digital file and release.

[Ed Shapiro]

Hi Darrin!

Real estate agents are basically self employed and work out of brokerage office. When the first start out, the can be rather "frugal" about their expenditures because the have to pay for their own advertising needs, but their professional image is important to them and they need good portraits.

As they become more successful they do come to realize that their photography is more important than they may have thought before, especially the ladies. Many times, I find that they have been using a photograph that they don't really like- some actually used a passport type photograph to keep the expenses down and now it is time for a really good shot.

As with all my sitting, I have them in for a pre-sitting consultation and advise them on clothing styles, necklines and color as well as makeup and hairstyle.

I will usually do a more comprehensive sitting and as a result, sell more images. Business portraits, nowadays, have to make the subject look businesslike and approachable so a nice smile is in order for some of the poses. I also do other expressions and a number of poses- the full face view, and right and let 2/3 face views. This way, when doing ads and creating advertising materials the client will have not only a full face view but some where he or she is looking right to left and left to right. The works well when ad copy is used so that the subject can face in toward the copy.

You can offer different "packages" at various rates- mine start at $275.00 When the clients are super satisfied with their images, I get a lot of print sales that they request for personal use and gifts.

I also find out of more people at the brokerage office need photographs or update their images. I will offer special deals if 10 or more agents or the whole office comes in. They sometimes do full page newspaper spreads showing all the agents and most of the time theses spreads look like a dog's breakfast because there is no uniformity in head sizes, quality and backgrounds- try to get a project going.

Some agents want to advertise "big time" - the have me do some location work where the are standing in front of an impressive home with a FOR SALE or SOLD sign in the background- One guy posed with his new pick-up truck in shirt sleeves because he wanted to project a down to earth image. It's good to throw some ideas around and make suggestions.

I am always looking for more business and future return business. Even if your first order is a small one, once you plant "seeds" in people's' minders they oftentimes come back at a later date and allow you to create a more comprehensive job.

Good luck with that sitting! Ed

[Harry]

Ed says frugal, but he's being nice. My wife has worked at an agency for the last 15 years and knows every agent in town. They aren't frugal, they're cheap Ba$tard$. I have been approached by all kinds of them for jobs ranging from headshots to photographing properties, inside and out. Trouble is, they want it all for nothing. If you quote a decent price and you're happy with it, and you actually get paid, great. I'm just venting, there's that word again, It really depends a lot on the area you are located in, good luck.

[Pony]

I hope you don't mind if I take a slight detour here.Not only will this agent receive a photograph but she will be promoting her business with your work.I recommend getting your copyright or name-whatever size depending on the product-as part of the agreement.That way when she promotes herself,she promotes you.Let the advertising be reciprocal.

[kgphoto]

The best idea here is to make the session more than "just a headshot" Get the headshot of course, but as long as they are there, take a few more different type of images, work them up and show them to the salesperson when they return.

I used to offer Passport picture siting for $50.00! When they asked why not $15.00 out the door, like everyone else, I said, we offer more than one shot so they get the best expression, but since I have to use a whole roll of file, I also have 6-8 other opportunities to make shot for the g/f, b/f, mom, etc.

I council them on proper clothing to show well in b/w. I use better lights and can change backgrounds for the other portraits. Prints (incl the passport photos) are extra. I used to charge just $15 for the two passport pictures (2x2's) and they could order any others. Sold several 16x20's as well as a lot of 8x10's and 5x7's.

Now I would give them a digital file that only prints to a business card type image. I would only give larger if they pay for a larger usage fee. That keeps the initial cost down, but allows me adequate compensation for the use if they want to post it later.

Offering a group discount to shoot the whole office is a great idea! Standardized images, all small files and then offer to do "custom" unique images for those that want it or extra prints in different outfits for other use.