This is another view-from-my-office photo.
Someone recently asked for a price to retouch two business headshots. I said my rate is $140 per hour but I would first need to see the photos. After reviewing the two pictures, I quoted them 20-minutes per photo or $93 total plus tax. They accepted the quote, I did the retouching, and they were happy with the results. Another normal day of photo retouching.
The customer then wrote that their usual retoucher charged only $50 per hour. But he always required at least an hour per headshot and they weren’t always happy with the results. Their dissatisfaction is why they asked me to retouch their newest headshots.
So my retouch rate was 280% higher yet my final price was lower and, according to the customer, the results were better.
This is the deal when you hire a more experienced retoucher (or photographer, for that matter): the more experienced they are, the more efficiently and productively they work. This can save you money.
More experience => have higher rates => but more cost effective, more capable, better results.
Low rates => means less experience => less skilled, less efficient, lower quality work.
When a retoucher or photographer charges a higher rate or a higher price, that is an indicator of their experience. This experience will benefit your photo project.
