How to Package Your Photography Services and Design a Price Sheet

Once you've set your basic rates for your photography services, consider putting together some package deals. Packages can make your sessions more appealing to clients while making things easier on your end (as you'll have a template for your sessions). By grouping and suggesting services, they can also help you make more money.

We've put together some tips below on how to organize your offerings and set up a professional price sheet.

Keep it simple

Keep your price menu as clean and clutter-free as possible. Your goal is to design a sheet that's easy to scan. Your clients should be able to tell the difference between your packages quickly, so focus on large differences over minor, incremental ones.

If there are features or offerings that apply to all of your sessions, list these at the top of your sheet rather than repeating them under each package. Repeating information and presenting them as features for each of your packages will not necessarily make them look more appealing. Only list what's adding real value.

Offer 3 or 4 packages

Most photographers' price sheets include 3-4 packages:

• Package #3 or #4 will be your deluxe package. It's for clients who want to splurge, and includes all the bells and whistles. It's not necessarily what you're trying to sell, but it's designed to make your other packages appear reasonable in comparison.

• Package #2 will be your most appealing option. Itshould draw attention to what's missing from Package #1, and highlight what they can get from Package 2 for just a bit more money.

• Package #1 provides an entry-point for people who are interested in your services, but are not quite ready to spend.

As you're deciding what to include in each package, think about what your clients really want. Don't just list everything you can offer — what do your clients actually need? If you design your packages right, people won't be requesting to swap out features all the time.

You might also find it helpful to have an 'a-la-cart' list on the side of your price sheet, featuring add-ons for each package.

list your most expensive package first

Again, your highest package is designed to make your other options seem reasonable. As your clients read from top to bottom, they will see all the features they're missing out on if they go with the lowest package. This will also make your price sheet easier to read: you'll be taking away options, instead of adding more.

choose your words carefully

Here's a great example of word choose can affect your packaging, from an article on Virtual Photography. Take this list of words:

Shoot / Photograph
Images / Pictures
Collections / Packages

While you might use the word "shoot" more often than "photograph," put yourself in your clients' shoes — which sounds more appealing?

Think about who you're marketing to, and adjust your wording accordingly. If you're a wedding photographer, for example, opt for language that sounds more high-end and elegant.

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Photoshoot Prep Checklist

There are a lot of moving parts to consider when you're coordinating a photoshoot. We put together a list of some things to keep track of.

The Week of the Shoot

• Confirm with everyone involved.

• Send call sheet to crew.

• Prepare mood board and/or shot list, lighting plans, etc.

• Review equipment list. Indicate:

  • equipment you are bringing

  • equipment provided by the studio

  • additional equipment needed

    • Make arrangements for rental equipment if necessary.

• Scout location; know what to expect.

  • Check out food and parking nearby, etc.

The Day Before the Shoot

• Review equipment list and pack gear.

• Charge camera batteries.

• Pack backup equipment.

  • battery

  • memory card

• Check camera settings.

• Format memory card.

• Clean lenses.

• Check directions.

• Review details such as shot list, client requests, etc.

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Creating Your Call Sheet

A call sheet is a document with all of the information that you and your crew will need do know before, during (and even after) a photoshoot — things like contact information, location details, your concept and timeline.

This master sheet is important to have when you’re working with a big crew or producing film, but it’s also really helpful for smaller photoshoots with just a few people involved. By making this part of your toolkit, you can keep yourself organized while impressing clients and making things easy for everyone you’re working with. It’s an easy extra step to take, especially if you have a template.

Some important details a call sheet might include:

• important contact information

• date, day of week, time

• location details — Where are you meeting? Will there be any secondary locations? You might also include a Google Maps link, parking options, etc.

• names of people involved — Let people know what to expect. List the names of your crew, talent, hair/makeup and anyone else who will be part of your project. (You don’t have to include everyone’s contact information — this could get confusing.)

• timeline — What’s your arrival time? When will be you setting up, and when do you want to start shooting? Will there be any breaks? When’s wrap-up? You might also want to include here whether there will be coffee or breakfast provided when you get there, what you will be doing for lunch, etc. Indicate whether certain members of your team can arrive at different times.

• concept — Include a briefing of your concept. You might also want to provide an attachment or link to a more detailed mood board.

• wardrobe — Detail any outfits that models should bring themselves, and whether there’s anything to be avoided.

• special instructions — A section with any other important details that people should know.

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