Clients find it easier to say yes to clear packages than to complicated hourly quotes. Good packages also protect your time, because they define exactly what is included. This lesson shows how to design packages from your real costs, how to add upgrades and monthly retainers, and how to raise your rates over time without losing good clients.
Design packages from real costs
- Know your minimum day rate from your cost of doing business, as in pricing photography services.
- Estimate every hour a package takes, including editing and admin, as in estimating costs, time and value.
- Define what is included: hours, number of images or videos, formats, revisions, usage and delivery time.
- Offer three levels so clients can choose, as in proposals and quotations.
Upgrades and retainers
| Option | Example |
|---|---|
| Upgrades | Extra hour, drone shots, express delivery, prints |
| Bundles | Photo and video together, as in hybrid photo and video packages |
| Retainers | A monthly fee for a set amount of content |
| Usage upgrades | Advertising use or longer licence periods |
Tip:A retainer is a regular monthly agreement for ongoing work. A few retainer clients can cover your basic monthly costs.
Raising your rates
- Raise prices for new clients first, then existing clients with notice.
- Raise when you are often fully booked, your skills or portfolio have improved, or costs have risen.
- Explain the value, not just the number.
- Give existing clients advance notice and a clear date.
- Expect a few clients to leave; higher-paying clients usually replace them.
Common mistakes
- Packages that do not state what is included: scope grows without pay.
- Pricing from competitors only: ignoring your own costs.
- Never raising prices: income falls behind costs.
- Big surprise increases: upset clients.
How professionals price
Professionals build packages from real costs, state inclusions clearly, offer upgrades and retainers, review prices every year and raise them steadily with notice as demand and quality grow.
Practical examples
A content retainer
- Situation
- A gym books you every few weeks for social content.
- What to do
- You offer a monthly retainer of two shoot days, 20 photos and 6 short videos.
- Why it works
- Regular work becomes predictable income for you and the client.
- Result
- A stable monthly client.
A rate rise
- Situation
- You are booked two months ahead.
- What to do
- You raise prices for new clients and give existing clients three months' notice.
- Why it works
- Demand shows your value has grown.
- Result
- Higher income with most clients staying.
Key points
- Build packages from your minimum day rate and the real hours each job takes.
- State inclusions clearly and offer three levels.
- Grow value with upgrades, bundles, retainers and usage options.
- Raise rates for new clients first, then existing clients with notice.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge hourly or by package?
What is a retainer?
When should I raise my prices?
How do I tell clients about a price increase?
Conclusion
Clear packages and steady price increases build a sustainable income. Next, you will set up your own photo or video business.
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