Wait, I get to charge for taking pictures?
Do I charge for my work, and how much? This is a question asked by all when they first get started. When do we charge right away? What if someone asks me to do something to promote myself and my work? Should I work for free?
These are all great questions and need to be answered. While doing freebies is the norm for many artists, most do the free work to get their names out there, gain experience, and have a body of work to place in a portfolio. This is true whenever you go into another style of work you're unfamiliar with.
There's no set timeline for when you should start charging for your work. In my experience, it's more about your confidence level. For those who may not feel fully confident, it's important to push aside those insecurities and take that first step at some point.
My first gig was at a wedding, and I do not suggest doing that. Be a second shooter for a wedding photographer before you start with that because it is a stressful event! But my fee was only about $500/$600, and this was in 1989.
Ultimately, the decision of when to start charging for your work is a deeply personal one. It's important to always keep in mind that as you invest more time into your photography, it may start to encroach on your 'regular job' if you have a 9 to 5.
Confidence level is obviously subjective. It's up to you whether you can get to a point where you can deliver what the client wants. Be mindful, though, that not everyone 'gets' our vision. You have to have a body of work to show as samples of what you can deliver!
"Am I professional enough to charge?" If you charge, you are technically a professional, as someone who receives compensation for what they do is a professional.
I am a model photographer. I do it more often than other work, but that is not to say that I don't have a body of work to show off my family portraits, wedding photos, school portraits, food photos, etc. Grow your work, and if you'd like to do this as a 'job,' then figure out your niche, find out what's needed most in your community, and chase it!
