I couldn't find the old business forum so I figure this might be an okay place to post the following question:

How do you arrive at your rate for engagement sessions?
What do you include?

Thanks a bunch.

Dave

My engagement sessions start at $300 and include up to two hours and/or two locations. A CD of all images is $600, or they can order off Pictage.

My engagement sessions are priced the same as my portrait sessons.

I do include an e-session in with my wedding packages though, and still I have couples book me for their engagement if they don't have their actual wedding date scheduled, they simply pay the regular session fee and order prints separately.

Leann

we charge $150.00 for 1 1/2 Hrs
I give them a proof book with online proofing for 90days
We include them with our weddings but we dont tell the brides till the time of booking.
the reason for this is when we had them in our packages every other bride would try to get a discount for not using the e-session we no we just use it as a "gift" for going with us.
sf

Thats funny! A lot of people try talking me out of the engagement session also. (Must be all the west mi people who are budget gurus!) I always let them know why I want to do it (explain how I want to get to know them a little before their wedding day, see how they are infront of the camera, ect...) and tell them if they REALLY want to, they don't HAVE to do it. But, I can't take anything off thier package if they choose not to do it.

How much do you need to charge to cover your costs and successfully run your business? Write down all the factors, such as mileage, equipment rentals (if any), post-production time, shoot time, drive time, products, packaging, shipping, the online gallery, etc. If you're not used to calculating your hourly wage, then figure out what your gross yearly salary should be, divide that down to 40 hours a week, and that will give you your hourly. NOW you can accurately determine a rate for an e-shoot! Good luck!

Mine are worked into all of my packages. If a couple wanted to hire me to do one for them it would be 300 and no CD. They could pay 300 more if they wanted a disc.

Thanks you all for taking the time to answer. Much appreciated.