As a newborn photographer, one of your most important decisions is how much to charge for your services.
Setting the right pricing can be challenging, as you want to balance the value of your time and expertise with the affordability for your clients.
In this blog post, we will explore some key factors to consider when determining your pricing for newborn photography, so you can confidently set fair and sustainable rates for your business.
How Much To Charge For Newborn Photography?
The cost of newborn photography can vary greatly depending on factors such as location, photographer experience, and type of session.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 per hour for a newborn photography session (source: Fash). The total cost for a session can range from $300 to $1,500 (source: Photoeaze).
This cost usually includes a certain number of edited digital images and the photographer’s time and talent. Some photographers may charge extra for things like prints, albums, or additional digital images.
The cost of a newborn photo session may also be affected by factors such as the location of the shoot and the number of locations used.
Factors to Consider
When it comes to newborn photography, there are several factors that photographers must consider when determining their pricing. These factors include:
Time and Effort Invested
A newborn photography session can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. To ensure that the photo shoot goes smoothly, you should give yourself enough time to prepare, set up, and edit the photos.
Furthermore, newborns require special care and patience because they may need frequent breaks for feeding, diaper changes, and soothing.
You may also need to spend additional time communicating with clients, preparing contracts, and delivering final images.
Equipment and Props
Creating stunning newborn images requires special equipment and props.
To create a safe and comfortable environment for newborns and achieve the desired aesthetic, you may need high-quality cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, backdrops, wraps, blankets, hats, headbands, and other props.
Skill and Expertise
As a newborn photographer, your expertise and skill are invaluable. In addition to technical knowledge, capturing stunning newborn pictures requires patience, an eye for detail, and gentle handling.
Consider your years of experience, artistic vision, and unique style when determining your prices.
Market Demand
The demand for newborn photography varies depending on your location and the preferences of your target market.
Depending on your location, you can charge a higher price for newborn photography if you operate in an extremely competitive market. You may need to adjust your prices if the market is saturated or the demand is low.
Location and Travel Expenses
The location of your business can also affect your pricing. Your expenses may be higher if you live in a metropolitan area with a high cost of living, and you may need to charge higher prices to maintain profitability.
Additionally, if you offer on-location newborn photography services and need to travel to clients’ homes, you may need to consider travel expenses like gas, mileage, and accommodations.
Researching the Market
When it comes to setting prices for newborn photography, researching the market is essential.
Finding out what other photographers in your area charge will help you determine what clients are willing to pay and how to price your services competitively.
Here are some steps we take when researching the market:
- Check out local photographers’ websites: One of the easiest ways to research the market is to look at other photographers’ websites. We look at their pricing pages to see what they charge for newborn photography sessions and what is included in those sessions.
- Ask for recommendations: We also ask friends and family members if they know of any photographers specializing in newborn photography. By doing this, we can find out what photographers are in high demand and how much they charge.
- Look at online directories: There are many online directories that list photographers in different areas. These directories help us find photographers in our area and determine how much their services cost.
Once we have gathered information on what other photographers charge for newborn photography, we use this information to set our own prices.
We aim to price our services competitively while ensuring we are compensated fairly for our time and expertise.
Pricing Models
Once you clearly understand the factors that influence your costs and value, you can consider different pricing models for your newborn photography business.
Here are some common pricing models to consider:
Session Fee and Prints
In this pricing model, you charge a session fee to cover your time, talent, and expertise for the photo shoot. The fee is separate from the cost of prints or digital images, which the client can purchase separately after viewing the proofs.
With this model, clients can choose between prints and digital images based on their budget and preferences, which offers flexibility in pricing and upselling opportunities.
Packages and Bundles
Another popular pricing model is to offer packages or bundles that include a set number of prints, digital images, or other products or services at a bundled price. In this way, clients will receive value while ensuring a minimum income level for each session.
To meet the needs and budgets of your clients, you can create different packages at different price points.
Digital Downloads
Many clients these days are looking for digital images they can share on social media or print themselves. When pricing your digital images, consider the resolution and quality of the images and the number of images included.
Consider offering different pricing tiers for different resolutions or file types, such as high-resolution JPEGs or RAW files.
You can also offer discounts for clients who purchase a certain number of digital images.
Additional Services
In addition to your core photography services, you can also offer prints, canvases, albums, retouching, or custom framing, all of which can be charged extra.
This can add an additional revenue stream and provide customization options to your clients.
Final Thought
Your experience, location, and overhead costs all play a role in pricing your newborn photography services.
Despite tempting to undercharge clients, you should remember that your time and expertise are valuable. Setting fair and sustainable rates allows you to build a successful business.
Keep your pricing up-to-date and communicate it clearly to avoid misunderstandings. You can find the sweet spot between affordability and profitability in your newborn photography business with the right approach.
FAQs – How Much To Charge For Newborn Photography?
Should I charge by the hour or for the entire session?
It’s common for newborn photographers to charge for the entire session rather than by the hour. This allows for more flexibility in your workflow and ensures that clients aren’t rushed during the shoot.
How much should I charge for digital images?
The price of digital images can vary depending on the number of images included and the quality of the files. On average, photographers charge anywhere from $50 to $200 for a set of digital images.
Should I offer packages or a la carte pricing?
This depends on your business model and the preferences of your clients. Offering packages can make it easier for clients to understand what they’re getting for their money, while a la carte pricing allows for more flexibility.
How do I factor in my equipment costs when setting prices?
It’s important to factor in your equipment costs when setting prices for newborn photography. This includes the cost of your camera, lenses, lighting equipment, and any other accessories you use during the shoot.
How often should I review and adjust my pricing?
It’s a good idea to review and adjust your pricing on a regular basis, such as every six months or once a year. This allows you to stay competitive and ensure that your rates are sustainable for your business.
