Met a local face painter today

[Sherry]

I met a local face painter today at the post office.  We were standing in line and he had a colorful outfit on and was handing out balloons.  I introduced myself and realized he was one of the websites I'd browsed of face painters in my area.  Small world!

He's really experienced and been at this he said since 1997.  He does clowning, face painting, balloons, etc.  He asked what I charged and thought I charged too little.  Made me rethink my prices.  He charges $125 per hour.  I can see that for the first hour, but I'm wondering, do people really book you for multiple hours when you charge that much?

I've talked to 2 other local artists and one charges $95 an hour and another $75 an hour, like me.  I wouldn't want to price myself out of the market.

I'm thinking maybe charge higher for the first hour and then the $75 for each additional hour.  Does anyone do this?  Or do people really book for $125 an hour for multiple hours?  I know they pay that in New York, but I'm wondering about other areas of the country besides New York or California.

[fancy]

Hi Sherry:  My price goes down after the first hour.

[reginanewsum]

Very good question Sherry, I too am always concerned about price charging. When I first started dabbling with face painting in July of 2009, I was blown away by the hourly rates that I had seen on different websites! I really didn't know what to charge?  I too like you charge $75.00 per hour. For now I am content with the rates, maybe I will adjust them later!  But in my area face painting is so new, the price blows the client away! After the gig is over they do see the work involved and are very happy with the price!  And have booked for another party, but like anything else new you have to prove your services are grand and show them what you can do! Maybe if I lived in a very large city or state where face and body painting is popular, I would charge right along with the rest of the artists, to stay within your prices, but for now I have to educate my area I guess you could say!

[Sherry]

Thanks guys.  I think if I do raise my rates at the start of next year, I might try raising the first hour, but keeping each additional hour the same.  Since he's been in business so long, I think it makes more sense for him to charge that much.  Next time I see him, I have a few more questions that I didn't think to ask at the time.  I'm wondering if this is for just face painting, or is his rate including the other things he offers... clown show, balloons, etc.

[vegaburm]

I have to say, I live in a really poor area. In fact, we are the poorest county in North carolina and rate very low in the nationwide scales. I only charge $50 per hour, though I have thought about increasing the first hour to cover gas and such. I do a lot of painting for non-profits, and I doubt they would go higher than $50 p/h as they often balk a little about it already. I also charge on a two tier scale at events when the public is paying. Usually I do between 3-5 for my simpler faces and 5-8 on my higher ones. If there are other painters there I will attempt to make our prices close to the same. (If we are offering similar designs. If they are doing cheek art I keep my prices up) This is really about as high as my area can handle. But, I say if your area is able to support higher rates, then go for it!

[Sherry]

I find that too that if they're only doing cheek art, it doesn't seem to affect me, even if it's free.  If they want the professional full face, they'll wait and pay for it rather than get cheek art usually.

[sparklingfaces]

you know I think it works for areas where everyone only wants facepainting for 1 hour.

I get these requests all the time, but I feel like for one hour - there's too much of a rush when they can get me for $145 for two hours. I dont have to rush and I get to talk to each child for a few minutes

Also I think it does deter those who need 2-3 hours

maybe just me, maybe just my area... who knows

[vegaburm]

I agree. With the price not too high I usually have people book at least and hour and a half for a birthday party. I don't have to hurry so much and the kids get more time with me and everyone is happy!