With the economy doing so bad, and stocks tumbling down the toilet, dont be afraid to find out what the photographers charge, and then offer them HALF their asking rate.

Their prices are not carved in stone. BARGAIN ! haggle !

dont be afraid to walk away !

a fair price for a half day shoot incl retouching and makeup is like $ 450. many photographers are asking for over a thousand for a half day shoot.

if the economy was doing well, the haggling wont work as there would be lots more people willing to pay full price.. so take advantage of the current economic situation.

I might even think taking bids from 3 of your top photog picks would be something good to do.

when business is slow, photogs are more willing to negotiate.

after all, so much of their fee is pure profit anyway.

Perhaps things are different in the big markets but my business is not slowing at all. It's actually growing, even during these times. Many of my clients are unaffected by the stock market because they don't have stock portfolios as they are young actors just getting going. I have no problem getting my asking price although they were not too high to begin with.

The fact that my own well diversified long term investments are taking a beating right this minute has nothing to do with me raising or lowering my prices. What about you guys in the big markets?

There's a great saying that holds true in any economic climate,

You can have cheap.
You can have it fast.
You can have it good.

Pick any two....


Lawrence

Interesting points, Lawrence.

Right now we're in the middle of the biggest financial debacle in recent history.

But like everything else, "this too shall pass." Things will change and the economy will improve. Only the strong survive. But the ones we call "professional" are considered 'professional' because they think and act like professionals. They are also known by another description -- working actors. This never changes.

While price is always a factor when selecting a photographer, it is certainly not the most important consideration. Usually the best ones cost the most. There are exceptions to the rule of course, but as a general standard this is true. You won't find many top celebrity photographers charging bargain basement rates.

When I look for "the best" of anything, I always look for these three things: Quality and service, backed up with solid industry reputation.

Instead of looking for "the cheapest photographer you can find," you need to put your hard-earned money where it will do your career the most good, whatever the current state of your finances.

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I think I half agree with SAGAFTRAAEA, and fully with everyone else. I think if you look at economic crises verses what happens in the entertainment industry throughout the history of this country you'll find that, film especially, does better and everyone else works more. Just look at this summer's box office. Look at 2001 and look at 1987. The past two weeks have been the busiest ones I can remember. When I talk with clients and Actor friends, they too are having the same experience.

However Sag also said $450 is a reasonable half day price. And in LA, anything much more than that with everything included would only be with a select few "name" photographers, and sort of belongs in the scam category that all young actors are warned about. No matter what the economy is like, that is a fair price; for LA.

I tend to think that a photographer's business is more linked to the overall economy then to how the movie industry is doing because the vast majority of people who get headshots done are not working actors.

Just like something like 80% of SAG member make no money acting, the percentage of people who get headshots who actually get jobs has to be amazingly low.

And I'll bet fewer people are coming to town to act in this economy.

quote:

And I'll bet fewer people are coming to town to act in this economy.

If that's the case, I shall embrace the recession!

Another thought.

We are providing an invaluable service to actors. They require high quality professional headshots to market themselves in the most effective way possible. This doesn't change simply because the economy is faltering. The value of what we provide doesn't change either. Are actors simply going to start using snapshots from webcams for their resumes? Will they decide to go with the cheap unskilled photographer who offers a bargain? Maybe once, but if the quality isn't there it's unlikely that they will do it again. Adding insult to injury they will now have to spend more money having a new image done by a competent professional. Most will quickly learn it's better and cheaper to choose quality the first time and only pay once.

Remember, fair pricing is usually a smart business decision in any market. The natural forces of competition will keep the bell curve where it should be. Reality always prevails eventually. It's just a matter of time...

Lawrence

quote:

Originally posted by Lawrence Smith:
Another thought.

We are providing an invaluable service to actors. They require high quality professional headshots to market themselves in the most effective way possible. This doesn't change simply because the economy is faltering. The value of what we provide doesn't change either. Are actors simply going to start using snapshots from webcams for their resumes? Will they decide to go with the cheap unskilled photographer who offers a bargain? Maybe once, but if the quality isn't there it's unlikely that they will do it again. Lawrence

In my case, it becomes a matter of the current economic situation forcing me to hold off on getting new headshots and simply keep using ones that are a couple years old.(no need for webcam photos or cheap shots from your buddy) When times are tight, and bills need to be paid, it's tougher to take chances on spending money on things that "might" help move your career in the right direction. This would apply to workshops, mailings, classes, etc.

I would agree with SAGAFTRA's original point-which is that the current economy is so bad for all the players in this business that many will cut you a break on price. A while ago I audited a class at a very well known acting school, and later told them I would consider taking classes when my financial situation improved. Well, it hasn't, and yet still they've been hounding me, saying they'll offer crazy discounts.

In other words, be on the lookout for bargains you may not have seen otherwise.

quote:

Originally posted by LADelight:

In my case, it becomes a matter of the current economic situation forcing me to hold off on getting new headshots and simply keep using ones that are a couple years old.(no need for webcam photos or cheap shots from your buddy) When times are tight, and bills need to be paid, it's tougher to take chances on spending money on things that "might" help move your career in the right direction. This would apply to workshops, mailings, classes, etc.

I would agree with SAGAFTRA's original point-which is that the current economy is so bad for all the players in this business that many will cut you a break on price. A while ago I audited a class at a very well known acting school, and later told them I would consider taking classes when my financial situation improved. Well, it hasn't, and yet still they've been hounding me, saying they'll offer crazy discounts.

In other words, be on the lookout for bargains you may not have seen otherwise.

I have to agree that it never hurts to ask for a discount when purchasing most anything. I do it all the time. My original post to this thread was really trying to get a sense of what was happening in the big markets. It trickles to us out in the sticks eventually...

Lawrence

quote:

Originally posted by SAGAFTRAAEA:
With the economy doing so bad, and stocks tumbling down the toilet, dont be afraid to find out what the photographers charge, and then offer them HALF their asking rate.

Their prices are not carved in stone. BARGAIN ! haggle !

dont be afraid to walk away !

a fair price for a half day shoot incl retouching and makeup is like $ 450. many photographers are asking for over a thousand for a half day shoot.

I don't know about half price but I always try to work with someone who needs headshots. If I give someone a discount and they like my work, they'll tell other people about me and I get more work.

quote:

Originally posted by LADelight:

I would agree with SAGAFTRA's original point-which is that the current economy is so bad for all the players in this business that many will cut you a break on price. A while ago I audited a class at a very well known acting school, and later told them I would consider taking classes when my financial situation improved. Well, it hasn't, and yet still they've been hounding me, saying they'll offer crazy discounts.

In other words, be on the lookout for bargains you may not have seen otherwise.

And that school would be?

I'm looking for a new scene study class!