Ok, I've changed plans a little, does this sound better for starting up in amateur photography?

I'd be doing basic portraits at first and ordering my prints online instead of doing it at home. Here's what I would be able to offer, as well as the prices I'd charge:
A $25 sitting fee. The customer will be able to check out the photos on my laptop and pick which one(s) they like before ordering. If I have to drive further than 15 miles from my home, I'd charge an additional $15 fee.
The customer can order from 3 packages, as well as additional sizes and products such as mugs, canvas prints, oversized (up to poster size) prints, memory books and scrapbook pages.
The basic packages I came up with are as follows:
Package 1: 5 8X10s, 20 5X7s, 20 wallet-size = $59 + sitting fee.
Package 2: 5 8X10s, 10 5X7s, 10 4X6s, 20 wallet-size = $79 + sitting fee.
Package 3: 10 8X10s, 20 5X7s, 20 4X6s, 40 wallet-size = $130 + sitting fee.
I would be happy to work with the customer to do customized packages as well, and they can order additional prints of any size at additional charge.

If the customer decided they didn't like ANY of the pictures I took prior to ordering, they would simply pay the travel fee (if applied) and the sitting fee. I would have the customer sign a contract after they picked the photos they wanted ordered so I (and they) know they're getting what they want.

Well, if your doing this just for fun, have fun with it. I dont think its a viable business venture as stated.

You will want to get a contract signed before anything else, otherwise they wont even have to pay you a sitting fee if they dont order anything from you. Walk into someones home, say "hi nice to meet you, now please sign this", kinda thing.

Even working within such a small area, your travel expenses will eat up a lot of your "profit", which wont be much. If you need to upgrade or just buy new equipment, it will come out of your pocket, as you wont be makig lot of $$'s to set aside for expenditures.


You havent mentioned your lighting system. Do you have one? How much time will it take to setup and take down each time?

Is your service offering something that walmart or sears, or a real studio cant? If your photography is worthy of sale, you can charge more than your talking about, for a sitting fee. But you have to be worthy.

Edit:::::: Just second'ing what perki said about gas charge. IF they arent going to be too much further away, no sense charging extra for their patronage.

If its mostly a time killing hobby, you should be OK. Of course, the prints still need to be decent quality. Have you put together a portfolio using the camera, and print service that you are planning on.

I would go a little higher on your lowest basic package, to make a little extra $$'s on that one. It will be your top seller. Most military folks I have known over the last 30 years dont need lots of prints, so the larger packages wont get as many orders.

sounds good i guess.....photograohy sounds like a cool job!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!!!1111......
as for a 25$ sitting fee...seems a bit steep, but what do i know...

$25 is a very low sitting fee. But you know know your market better than I do.

Most fees start around $100 and up.

The other fees seem in line (again do to your market area)

Do you have a business license. If you have a customer that complains about your business and you dont have a business license you can get some pretty hefty fines.

Have you tested your online printing source? Do they offer glossy and matte (dumb question but theres some that dont)? How long does it take to get your prints from them (I tested Mpix.com for example over a month ago and still havent seen any prints)? How much does each package cost just to get printed and shipped? You may find that going with a good local printer is still better than home and you can have them next day, and you dont have to pay for shipping. And if theres a problem with a print you can have it re-printed right away.

Your prices are a little low, but if your just doing this as a hobby then that doesnt matter too much.

I say ixnay on the $15 gas surcharge, either you go there or you don't.