In article <850177561.11224@dejanews.com>, varuscelli@ghgcorp.com says...

>As an amateur photographer, I've never been faced with
>answering questions concerning prices and fees before. At
>least, not until recently.
[story about how "amateur" work became requests
for "professional" services, deleted]
>Again, I am just an amateur, but would relish the opportunity
>to "break in" the the professional ranks (semi-professional
>ranks?) of photographers if my work has enough merit to justify
>it.

If people want to buy your work, you are half way to becoming a
pro - the other half is knowing and using good business practices.

>The second half of this question has to do with the people
>who are actually asking me what I would charge for photos of
>their places of business. (My "store front portraits" are
>seeming to catch on fast with the local folks.) Can someone
>help me with pricing questions? Lots of people ask me about
>using these photos for postcards for their shops. Others want
>8x10 copies.What feel should I ask for this?
>
>(At the same time as wanting to receive at least a small compenstion
>for my work, I want to give these local folks a good deal if I can.
>I like being a part of this community, and some of these owners of
>small shops are just getting started and are not exactly exceptionally
>well off. How can I make this a fair deal to both parties?

You are asking the right questions (and the difficult ones, which MUST
be answered BEFORE proceeding, or you will ruin a potential market both
for yourself, and any other professional photographer who wishes to
make a living near your town). If people like your work enough to buy
it, charge rates that will be interesting to you to receive when the
novelty of just selling/giving photos wears off (think of all those
hidden costs your rates must cover to make business practical [health
coverage, car expenses, computer expenses, photo equipment expenses,
supplies, advertising, rent, taxes, and down-time {you can't be doing
paid work continuously}]) - which is why pros. charge upwards of $100
or more PER HOUR for their work (PLUS the charges for prints, etc.).
A good beginning is to look up basic ASMP rates, and maybe begin at a
healthy fraction of those... (remember that it is hard to raise rates
a lot [or rapidly] later, when you realize your early pricing mistakes).
BTW, NO ONE can use your work without permission (it may be necessary
to become familiar with the relevant provisions of recent copyright
law, but you can gently advise potential users of the illegality of
just using your material without an agreement).
Talk with local pros - most will be glad to advise you, so that you do
not inadvertantly spoil the local market. You cannot join with other
photographers to fix prices, but you can fit into a scheme that
recognizes your ability and experience levels, and not be in
unfair/destructive competition with your fellow photographers.
Hope This Helps