How Do I Start Charging for My Work?

Jun 18

You’ve been shooting for friends. Maybe for events. Maybe for the love of it.
But now you’re asking the question:
“How do I start charging?”

The truth? There’s no universal roadmap. But there are principles that can help you transition from free work to paid work—without losing your integrity, your relationships, or your creative heart.

Let’s break it down.

1. Own That Your Work Has Value

You don’t need to wait for someone to validate your talent to start treating it as valuable.

If people are asking you to shoot—whether it’s portraits, events, product shots, or lifestyle—your work is already in demand. That means it’s time to stop seeing your skill as “just a hobby” and start recognizing it as a service.

Ask yourself:

Would this person have paid someone else if I weren’t available?
Am I giving my time, energy, editing, and creativity?

If the answer is yes, it’s worth charging for.

2. Start With a Base Rate—Even If It's Modest

You don’t need to launch with premium pricing.
But you do need to name a number. Why? Because clarity builds trust—and confusion repels clients.

A starting rate might look like:

$100–200 for a mini session
$250–400 for a lifestyle or portrait shoot
$500+ for events or extended sessions

It depends on your experience, location, and scope—but the important thing is to set a number and communicate it clearly.

Pro tip: Be up front about what your rate includes (time, edits, turnaround).

3. Practice Saying It Out Loud

The hardest part for many photographers? Saying the rate without shrinking.

Try this:

“My rate for that kind of session is $275, which includes the shoot time, editing, and a downloadable gallery. Let me know if you’d like to move forward!”

No apology. No over-explaining. No asking if that’s okay.
Practice it with a friend if you need to—but learn to stand in it.

4. You Can Still Be Generous Without Undervaluing Yourself

Charging doesn’t mean you stop shooting for free—especially if it’s for something you believe in, someone you love, or a cause you care about.

The difference now is:

Free is your choice, not the default.
Generosity is strategic, not assumed.

You can gift a shoot, offer a discount, or donate time—just make sure you know your worth first.

5. Charge With Integrity, Not Insecurity

Your goal isn’t to manipulate people into booking.
It’s to offer something meaningful and clear—then trust the right people will say yes.

Your pricing doesn’t have to compete with everyone else’s. It just has to be:

Honest
Thoughtful
Sustainable for you

That’s how you build a creative life that can grow over time.

Final Word: You’re Not Just a Photographer—You’re a Professional

If you’re wondering when it’s time to start charging, you’re probably already ready.
It’s not about having everything figured out. It’s about stepping into the next stage with clarity and courage.

At Image Alive, we believe photographers are not just image-makers—they’re storytellers, memory-keepers, and culture-shapers. Your work deserves to be honored—and that includes how it’s priced.

Ready to step in? Let’s go.