[BlackPuppy]

I figured I'd post this question here.

I'd like to hire a photographer to take photos of my dogs. Especially Doerak because he has cancer and I'd like to get some photos before it's too late.

I called 2 photographers - one charges $150 for an hour and the other $125 for an hour. This is just for the photographer's time and not any photos. Is that the going rate you guys have found?

 

[chevysmom]

That seems kind of pricey, especially since you are not getting any prints with the hourly rate. I know a lot of photographers and could see if any of them know someone in your area who would charge less. Just let me know

 

[JKlatsky]

I don't know. That seems kind of expensive to me, but I guess it really depends on the market in your area.

I was lucky that a pet photographer used to come to the dog park where we used to take the dogs. She would sit out there for hours taking pictures and hand everyone her card. You could go to her website and check out some proofs and email her to put in an order. I think the prints were like $5-$25 depending on size and the more your ordered the cheaper she made it.

And I think it depends on whether you are bringing the dogs into the studio or if the photographer is coming to you.

If there's a college nearby I would throw an advertisement up there or on your local Craigslist. My best pictures were taken by hobby photographers who liked to buy fancy camera equipment and play with it. And they usually worked for cheap.

 

[Cooper&me]

ouch!
I too want pics of my pack but that is pricey.

 

[BlackPuppy]

The more expensive one charges extra for traveling, but I saw some nice parks near her studio.

Doerak was just in the hospital and had some fur shaved. It will be a little while before it grows back before I get somebody.

I have a neighbor that's a hobby photographer. I think I'll ask her. I don't mind paying, but that's a lot of money for one hour. I wish I made that much.

(I know, I know!)

 

[bethd]

Yes, that rate is reasonable. We used to charge $50 an hour with a 4 hour minimum, which would be $200 even if it took one hour.

This is basically the "sitting fee" and prints/enlargements were extra.

Doublecheck with them the prices for retouch work, they could take the pics now and "airbrush" (w/computer these days) the hair back in (then it won't be too late).

Also, do you get to keep the "proofs" which are the 4x6 pics, are they included in the price or are they extra, do you get a digital disc in the package, price of enlargements, is there a minimum of enlargements/prints you have to buy (packages include x# of 5x7, x# of 8x10 etc.)

Sometimes the quality of the pictures really matter, not just the type of paper but the subject matter, and sometimes snapshots are what you're looking for, that will decide who to hire and whether to pay the price. ALWAYS ASK to see their portfolio, it is pictures they've taken and you can see if their quality/art direction is what you're looking for.

 

[AbbyK9]

I think asking your neighbor is a great way to go.

If she's any good with a camera (and dogs) she should be able to get some nice shots, especially if you're more interested in shots of a "snapshot" manner, not studio-type work.

It's really helpful if you have a photographer who likes and/or knows dogs, because they tend to be able to capture more of the dog's personality in their pictures, compared to someone who doesn't like or isn't interested in dogs.