[Leica] Reality check on pricing

[mcyclwritr at comcast.net (mcyclwritr@comcast.net)]

I got a call from an almost-friend asking if I could shoot her daughter's 
senior portrait. And muy pronto, to boot. "I'd be happy to," I said.

Not knowing details on exact location, number of wardrobe changes, etc., I 
quoted $250, which would include 4x6 proofs but not batches of wallet-size 
photos or custom enlargements. Easily a half day, counting schleppage. 

"Would it be less if you shot fewer pictures?"

'Huh?' thought I.

I explained the cost of proofs was incidental and the half-day I'd put into 
a location shoot, etc., is where the cost would be. 

She said she'd have to check with a local portrait mill to compare pricing. 
I encouraged her to do so. 

By the way, she "just loved" pix I shot at a baby shower, so credible people 
photography is not an issue. Evidently, money is. 

Frankly, I felt I'd have to apologize to my Leica and Canon kits just for 
snatching them out of the safe to earn a near-chump-change $250 fee. 

I know many of you are superb photographers and have earned brand-name 
status, so this probably isn't a fair question (apples and oranges deal), 
but how would you have priced it? 

-Chris Lawson