Renee Bowen Mastering Photography Pricing with Jill Smith

Photography Pricing: How to Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients

If you’re feeling stuck in your photography pricing, wondering whether raising your rates will drive clients away, you’re not alone. In my latest podcast episode, I sat down with Jill Smith, a photography business strategist, to break down the mindset blocks and strategies that can help you price profitably—without sacrificing your bookings. Jill’s journey from $50 sessions to a six-figure business proves that with the right approach, you can charge what you’re worth and attract the right clients.

Why Raising Prices Feels So Hard

One of the biggest fears photographers face when raising their prices is losing their existing clients. Many worry that their loyal customers won’t be willing to pay more, but as Jill shares, this fear is often tied to people-pleasing tendencies and unconscious money programming. The truth? The right clients will stay, and new clients will be drawn to your elevated pricing. The key is to approach pricing with confidence and clarity.

Jill and I chat about how important it is to also realize that YOUR relationship with money is NOT your client’s. Let’s not assume what they can and can’t afford! I talk about this piece quite a bit on the show, as well as on my site.

The Mistake Most Photographers Make with Mini Sessions

Mini sessions have a reputation for being exhausting and unprofitable, but Jill has found a way to turn them into a high-value offer. Instead of treating them as one-off discounted sessions, she structures them strategically—booking them back-to-back on a single day and using them as a stepping stone for higher-end packages. The result? More income in less time, while still providing a valuable experience for clients who aren’t quite ready for a full session.

How to Align Your Pricing with Your Long-Term Goals

Many photographers get caught in the trap of setting their prices based on what others in their area are charging, instead of looking at their own business needs. Jill emphasizes the importance of understanding your cost of doing business, your ideal work-life balance, and what kind of clients you truly want to serve. Whether you want to build a luxury brand or a mid-range business that’s still highly profitable, your pricing strategy should reflect that vision.

Breaking Free from Pricing Anxiety

One of the most eye-opening takeaways from this episode is the reminder that your relationship with money isn’t the same as your clients’. Just because a price increase feels big to you doesn’t mean your clients will see it the same way. Jill shares how she overcame her own pricing fears by taking a gradual approach, gathering data, and ultimately realizing that her best clients were happy to pay more for the experience she provides.

FAQ: Common Pricing Questions

Q: How often should I raise my prices?

A: Ideally, you should evaluate your pricing every 6-12 months. Look at your expenses, demand, and workload. If you’re fully booked and feeling burned out, it’s a clear sign you need to raise your rates. TIP: If people are gobbling up your “highest” package it’s definitely time to go UP.

Q: What if my current clients can’t afford my new prices?

A: Some may not, and that’s okay. Pricing adjustments naturally filter your client base to those who truly value your work. You can also introduce tiered offers like mini sessions or payment plans to ease the transition and you can also offer a perk for your loyal peeps!

Q: How do I price mini sessions to make them worth my time?

A: Structure them efficiently—schedule them on one day, keep sessions short, and price them with upselling in mind. Jill’s model includes a base digital package with upgrade options, ensuring each session brings in strong revenue. My own mini sessions also are structured this way it is not uncommon for me to gross over 3k on a $350 mini session! They CAN be profitable but they need to work FOR you.

Pricing doesn’t have to be intimidating. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start charging what you’re worth, reach out for help – I offer 1:1 coaching and I also have a FREE pricing video (that’s only 30 minutes) to get your started.