My Portrait of Metro Detroit Real Estate agent Eva Marrow owner of MichiganHomes.net.

She is an excellent agent and works really hard online to support her clients, generally high-end buyers and sellers in Oakland County.  I’ve known her for a few years. I have recently had the opportunity to work with her through my association with Royal Oak web design firm Synectics Media.

People often ask me what are the standard rates for Detroit Photographers. After years of job loss and negative news in Detroit photographers are not immune to the pressures of the economy.

Today photographers come from many backgrounds with various levels of experience.  I often recommend photo buyers review their goals, photography portfolios and then consider price.

The rates below are solely my observations and not based on any survey or study.

I find the advanced amateurs are offering their services for $50 – 100 per hour.  Many do a good job taking quality images and should meet some of your photographic needs.

Experienced professionals are averaging $125 – 200 per hour for event photography.  Many professionals will not offer an hourly or day rate for non-event work.  You will generally know you are talking with a professional if they ask how their images will be used.

Professional photographers base their rates on a creative fees, expenses, production and how the images will be use for marketing and advertising.  A photograph used for a small local direct mail campaign will not command the value and rate as an international magazine  and billboard campaign.

Some photographers will offer rate reductions based on volume.  You should ask if there are opportunities for rate reductions of you are willing to guarantee a certain number of purchased images.

That average rate for local use of photographic images for low volume websites ( 200 – 2000 visits per month) and less than 10,000 distribution for printed materials ranges from $75 – 300 per image depending on the experience level of the photographer and volume of images purchased.

The $75 – 125 range tends to be a starting  at point for many early professionals. Being a young professional is not always a negative if the photographer produces a portfolio that represent the look and talent you are searching for.

Fine artwork tends to range from $75 – $475 depending the photographer and size of the image.

Portrait: Detroit Michigan Mayor Dave Bing by Rosh Sillars

New photographers are entering the field every year.  The average photography buyer has many choices.  Determine what you are looking for in a photographer and develop a budget before you begin your official search.   Next review portfolios and call on the photographer that you believe will best represent your vision.

The bottom line is that photography pricing varies as much as there are photographers in the industry.   Some photographers don’t understand their value, others command high rates due to their experience, ability and reputation.

Keep an open mind and ask a lot of questions.

Rosh

I often create images for Cornerstone Schools.  The teachers, staff and kids are always a joy to photograph.  This photo was taken for their annual report.

I enjoy using shallow depth of field.  This image worked well in both color and black and white.  Black and white was a little better.  I think that is the case more often than not.

This portrait was created outside of Detroit on a working construction site.  It’s formal for a construction site, but every detail is not styled.

I took this photograph of a Detroit area Lacrosse coach a few years ago.  It has held up as one of my favorite portraits.

I like the lighting.  I used one light on the subject and a one light on the highly reflective objects in the background.

I photographed Michigan Governor Rick Synder In February of 2011.  He had not fully moved into his Governors office when I visited for a local Magazine.  He certainly has his work cut out for him.

By Detroit Photographer Rosh Sillars

I took this image on location. My assignment was to photograph the construction of a new arena and the people building it.

As we were leaving the construction area I saw the man above and took one last photograph. I didn’t think much of it at the time.

When I got back home I started playing with post processing.  Most of the images didn’t work with my experimental technique. Fortunately, this man worked extremely well and the image has become one of my favorite portfolio portraits.

The texture of his face, the composition, light, his smile and the reflection in his glasses all work together.

It’s not the first time the best shot appeared after the job was over.  It’s not the last time I will be reward by the last image shot on an assignment.

Rosh