I'm not talking about engagement sessions, because those are often bundled into wedding package prices. I'm referring to family portrait sessions.

The poll questions are flawed. It should be 0-10, 0-20, 0-30, 0-40, 40+. Or something like that. I charge for travel beyond 40 miles from my ZIP code. So if a client lives 45 miles away, they get charged for 10 miles, 50 cents a mile, plus any road tolls beyond that 40-mile radius.

I rarely shoot further than 30 miles outside my area. I charge a travel fee for distances greater than 25 miles. One of my repeat customers purchased a gift certificate for a coworker who has homes in NYC and Bucks County, PA. The weird thing is that I won't charge a travel fee for a session in NYC even though in the end, it may cost me more time and money to get there and park simply because I think it's beneficial to my business to have clients (and hence referrals) there. I am charging a $65 travel fee if they choose to do the shoot in PA. I know that I will spend nearly that on gas alone these days.

Jess

Damn Jules! Your day-job skills are changing my poll! I fixed it. Thanks.

Anyone from outside of New Jersey care to vote?

I live in a more rural area and get a lot of my clients from within the closest metropolitan area (Minneapolis/St Paul), so I actually don't start charging until I hit 80 miles. Otherwise I think I'd chase away a bunch of clients... I drive almost 40 miles just to hit the edge of the twin cities area.

And the ones that are farther away have been really good friends, so I just work the session into a visit and don't even add on the travel fees. I haven't actually ever charged them... and as a result, don't really have a definitive cost per mile...

julie

Never charge for travel and I go go all over the place.

My sessions are within 20 miles. Like Jules, if the place is 25 miles, they pay for 10 miles... 5 for the way there, and 5 for the way back. I charge $1 a mile after the first 20 (40 round trip). But, to be honest if it is only a few miles different I don't charge. I do charge if it is a 40+ mile trip.

I do not charge travel for engagements or weddings, unless it is more than 1 hour away.