How much should a photographer charge?

Well, first off don't give them a CD, at least not one with image quality good enough to print from. Meaning, nothing over 320x240 @ 72dpi. On your prints, go through a pro lab that will foil stamp or otherwise place your studio name on them - not only does it give a more professional look but it also prevents unscrupulous people from stealing your profits. Work with local retailers to let them know you're working in town and that you're aware that copyright laws exist. Believe me, they're much more likely to follow the rules if they think/know someone is watching them.

I personally don't charge a sitting fee, but rather an hourly rate of $25. Find a good lab and find out how much their prints run, I personally use Miller's (millerslab.com) and/or their affiliate Mpix. Base your print fees off your cost. Offer packages based on what most people want. Start reasonably small and cheap and go up from there. Mine range from $125 for a basic package to $1500 - and that's for portraits. If someone books and preselects/prepays a package I usually discount or waive the sitting fee. My basic package only includes 8 wallets 2 5x7's and an 8x10, so I spend maybe $15 on prints, the rest is profit...so why charge an additional $25-50 just for breathing? Let's face it, if Sears is offering to shoot for free and sell you a few sheets for $15, why would they come pay you $25-50 or more PLUS prints, if they're currently happy with Sears? Especially since you're still somewhat of an unknown.

In a small market be prepared and willing to go over the top in quality and service. No big-box store prints or other cutrate services. Every session I shoot gets a proof book that they get to keep. It costs me about $20 to get it done, but it keeps people happy and makes them feel they're getting something extra.

Once you build business, you can start to charge more of course. Just don't slap the horses rear before you mount up.

I have to wonder if this is just some funny person making a joke or yanking a crank? If you are serious, I would suggest you visit a stock site like Getty, istock, or Corbis and see if any of their offered images look remotely like yours in quality and execution. The work of novice photographers from P&S cameras will not sell, unless you have a photo of Elvis returned from the dead, or aliens landing in Times Square. You can put any price tag on your snapshots that you want. Whether people will pay is an altogether different matter. If you have posted your best (or even representative) snaps, then no one will pay anything at all. Not trying to be cruel, but facts is facts. You are doing the right thing by taking classes. When you have more knowledge and skill, you will be better placed to begin trying to sell your work. Good luck.

i just started a photo business this summer. i found the top photographers in my town and used that as a starting point for picing. i also include a disc with 2 folders, high resolution and web size images.

My packages have no prints included. as lthis long as you are good, you can charge a good amount. i charge 300 for a 2 hour senior session which includes a disc of 100 images. 1000 for an entire wedding including engagement shoot. 125 for 1 hour family session. i also offer printing services through a professional lab and in a letter with the disc, i include a local photo printer which i know matches my monitor. including a disc is good because they can share your pics online which gives you more business, plus most of the time the pics will end up in a drawer and only a few may be displayed. this way they can really appreciat your work.

Well, for example, I currently charge $30 session fee, plus $100 for 1 8x10, 4 5x7's, 8 4x6's or 4x5's and 17 wallets. On my CD's I charge $100, unless they spend over $400 on prints and such than I give it free.

give them lots of options with price so that they can mix and match thing like dont just have packages that costs like $60 and up. have some cheap ones and some higher ones that obviously will come with more pictures. make sure that you are making a profit and have enough money to live off of too :D ... hope i helped :D

There are books on the topic that may help you:

http://www.amazon.com/Pricing-Photography-Complete...

http://www.amazon.com/ASMP-Professional-Business-P...

But you may have to tune what they say to what your market will bear, and to your experience level. Good luck with your biz.